Enjoying Movement

There’s been a shift in the health and wellness discussions I follow on social media and I am here for it! The change has been to move from talking about exercise as a way to lose weight (and relatedly, a way to “punish” yourself for eating too much sugar) to talking about movement from a more interconnected mental, physical, and emotional wellness perspective. Instead of talking about the most effective exercise for burning calories, people are talking about what ways they enjoy moving their bodies. This has been so refreshing to me! 

I’ve always viewed exercise as a chore and as such, have been less likely to do it regularly. But shifting my perspective and giving myself permission to just enjoy movement has been liberating! I’ve never liked running, but I’ve always been given the impression that it’s the most efficient way to get in some regular exercise. Guess how much exercise I’ve done in the last few years with that perspective? (Does chasing my baby around the house count….?) Yeah, that’s right: very, very little.

Now that I’ve shifted my paradigm, I’m doing things that will ensure I actually get some movement scheduled into my life. I’ve signed up for dance classes, which is something I dearly miss from my younger years. And I’m not doing it because I’m trying to lose weight or “get my body back.” I’m doing it because I want to have the flexibility, stamina, and strength to keep up with my toddler and, most importantly, it’s the kind of movement that fills me up.

What would you do differently if you focused on how you enjoy moving your body instead of an exercise regime you’re “supposed” to follow? Would you go on a refreshing daily walk outside instead of staring at the TV screen while you try to bust out a treadmill run? Would you sign up for an ice skating class or something else you’ve always wanted to try? I’m here to give you permission to see this differently and to pursue a regular course of movement that fulfills you. Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how many calories you burned—it’s about feeling complete.

-Emily

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash