Bringing the FUN Back to Functional Movement
Hi everyone! Vanessa here. This week's topic is one that is even nearer to my heart than usual: keeping exercise untethered to eating behaviors. I KNOW that this can be super difficult, and in the past I have certainly succumbed to unhelpful ways of thinking when it comes to "earning" or "not earning" certain foods with my physical activity.
When we approach exercise or movement as something that we SHOULD do, it usually becomes something that we dread, force ourselves to do, or struggle to even do at all. This is one reason why it's so hard for many people to start or maintain a consistent exercise or movement practice. Now, I'm not saying that everyone is going to love every single movement they do (ask me how I feel about certain ab exercises!), but on an overall basis, your movement choices can and should bring energy, improve function, and make our lives more FUN. If they are not, then it might be a good idea to look to see if your mentality approaching this habit could be examined and possibly changed.
One step in this direction is to find what you enjoy. There is absolutely no reason to do something you dislike - even if it's trendy, or there is a signup deal, or it makes amazing promises or if all your friends are doing it. What brings you joy? What feels good in your body? If you can't answer those questions yet, then it's time for some exploration - which brings trial and error. It's all going to be part of the process!
Another tip I've found especially helpful in the last 18 months or so is to avoid all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to your new (or not-so-new) movement practice. If you find that you are feeling guilty when you skip a day or 2 of your movement routine, this can cause stress and lower motivation for the next time. Instead of beating myself up if I miss a day, I personally find it more motivating when I show myself some compassion, understand why I didn't work out that day, and move on. This way of thinking keeps the benefits I find most important at the forefront: positive changes in mood. Improved health markers like blood pressure and lipid levels. Exploring movement that feels good in MY body.
What do you think YOU will discover about yourself when you look at physical activity this way? Let's find out!