Undo Dreading Exercise And Find Love In Movement
What does the word “exercise” bring up for you? You might think of sweat, going to the gym, lifting heavy things, running, or other activities that require strong exertion and possibly misery.
But what if exercise could be enjoyable, or even fun? Instead of calling it “exercise,” call it “movement.” What does “movement” feel like in your body? For me there is joy in movement. Moving feels good to me, because I have found ways to move my body that I enjoy. Walking, swimming, yoga, and pilates are forms of movement that I enjoy and look forward to because they feel good.
When I was in my 20s, and focused mostly on exercise for weight loss, I would lift weights at the gym and run on the treadmill. I liked weightlifting, but I hated running, or rather running hated me. By the end my hips hurt and I was biding my time until the 30 minutes was up. I had to blast fast, aggressive music in my ears just to get through it.
It took a lot of discipline to keep me doing this to myself, and in retrospect, caused me much more harm that good, physically and emotionally.
I loved yoga. Yoga felt good, and my body and mind always found peace and comfort afterward. While running felt like punishment, yoga felt like reward. 30 years later I am still practicing yoga, and I no longer run, but I have found a love of walking.
Find movement that you love
When you find a way to move that you love, you will stick with it. While running wasn’t for me, there are many people love to run. Maybe you! I have many yoga students who cycle, swim, and walk, in addition to practicing yoga. What matters is you love how you move.
There’s a saying, “if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”1 The same applies to exercise. If you love how you move, you will keep doing it and it won’t be a chore. It won’t be a “have to,” it will become a “get to.”
The days that I get to go for a walk outside, or a swim, or do a yoga practice for myself are days where I am in a stellar mood, my body moves well, and I crave healthy foods. I never regret moving my body.
How to get started
Whether you are starting to exercise for the first time, are returning to it after a hiatus, or are simply experimenting with a new way to move, start small. If you try to do too much at once, you will most likely end up injured or more sore than is helpful. You can expect a little soreness, but if you are so sore that you can’t move the next day, you’ve done too much too fast.
Choose 1 or 2 days and move your body for 5-10 minutes. Put it on your calendar as an appointment you keep with yourself and do something fun. Once that is a habit, add another day. Build up to an amount of movement that feels doable and that you look forward to.
Movement shouldn’t be a “should.” You get to move your body in a way that feels good to you. There is no one right way to exercise. Listen to your body and see what you feel called to do.
Shaking things up
If your regular workout doesn't bring you joy, stop “shoulding” on yourself and try another form of movement. Maybe it's yoga, pilates, zumba, tae kwon do, or some other class. Maybe you add music to what you are already doing. I love practicing yoga to 90s rock anthems, or emo rock, or female singer songwriters. It depends on my mood. For me, music shakes things up and gets me out of my normal sequencing ruts.
For you, you might want to switch out your typical gym routine with something like ballroom dancing or rock climbing. Maybe you need to do shorter sessions or something of less/more intensity.
Movement is important for both your mental and physical health, but why you move is just as important as how. If you don't like how your are moving your body, you won't stick with it, and then you won't reap the long term benefits. Find something you love and stick with it. Your mind and body will thank you.
Online and in person movement options with me!
Online: I teach online yoga, meditation, stretch, and mindful core classes for active adults over 50. If you are looking to shake up your movement routine, give it a try! Get a 10 day All Access Free Trial and see what classes at Purple Room Yoga can offer you. All classes can be taken online live or on demand. Click the button below to see the full schedule or to sign up!
In person: walk with me every Saturday in June! Yoga and Walking will meet in various locations in Massachusetts Metrowest area to combine yoga and walking in the woods. All levels of experience are welcome! Click the button below for more information or to sign up!
Online: Summer Yoga Kickoff is a fun way to start or restart your yoga practice with tiny, bite-sized classes! It’s amazing how much can happen in 15 minutes! Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, through the month of June, enjoy classes such as Sun Salutations, Mindful Core, Head to Toe Stretch, Movement and Meditation, and Strength and Balance to kickstart your yoga practice for the Summer! Click the button below for more information or to sign up!
I tried to track down the origins of this quote, but it’s not fully known. Confucius, Mark Twain, Steve Jobs, and Marc Anthony are some of the possibilities.
This is an awesome reflection Janine! I also don't love running (more than 10 minutes) but find playing basketball and pickleball to be life giving. Although it's simple, the idea of finding movement that we enjoy is wonderfully profound. Thank you for sharing!
This is so wise and full of the wisdom of flow. I often say my body is like a dog, it has to be taken out for walks and bike rides regularly. It is so therapeutic.