How To Reconnect With Movement
“What is one small action of self-care you can take today that your future self will thank you for?”
Have you been meaning to reincorporate some movement into your routine but feel stuck and unable to find a helpful place to start? It is completely understandable to feel that way, given the daily barrage of diet culture “shoulds.” Workout, health, lifestyle and body “shoulds” do nothing but lead to self-criticism.
Experiment with coming from a place of self-compassion and kindness. Think of movement as a form of self-care. The process of healing your relationship with movement and your body takes time, patience, and practice.
Here are five areas where small adjustments and mindset shifts may make it easier to incorporate movement into your routine:
Take some pressure off: Is there is a type of workout you like, but you haven’t done in a while? You may feel like you’re not “in shape” enough for the workout anymore. Or, you may not feel ready to move at the level of intensity you used to. What if you took some of pressure off by opting for lighter weights, lower intensity, and/or choosing movement modifications that feel more motivating for where you are right now? Meeting yourself where you are is an empowering act of self-compassion and can often go a long way in building forward momentum.
Give yourself options: You may no longer find the same enjoyment in a type of workout that you used to like. It can be helpful to have a variety of workouts to choose from. By giving yourself movement options, you are better able to honor how your body and energy feel from day-to-day.
Think about your environment: What surroundings would help you feel your best? Does going to a physical gym feel too daunting? Do you prefer to workout at home? Is being outside in nature appealing? Moving in an environment that makes you feel comfortable will only help to make the overall experience more positive.
Enlist support: You may want to navigate this process by yourself, but know that you do not have to. You can ask friends and family for support and work together to encourage each other to find joyful ways to fit in movement. Another option is to work with an anti diet culture movement coach who can help demystify working out. Enlisting support can help you have a positive and fulfilling experience with movement and exercise.
Recognize and appreciate: All movement is valid, even if it isn’t always in the form of structured and formal workouts. Make a list of all the physical activities you do as part of your daily life. This can range from cooking, to brushing your teeth, to making the bed, to taking out the trash, to running errands. Use it as a reminder to yourself of all the things your body is capable of already. The more you notice these micro-moments, the more motivated you may feel to add a little more movement to each day.
Which areas resonate with you the most? Start there! Experiment and keep making adjustments until you find what works for you. And, if what works for you keeps changing, go with that, it will be a good sign that you are meeting yourself where you are.
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In our work together, I can help you address each one of these areas and customize our work together to meet your needs and give you the best experience possible! A great first step is to connect over email or via a discovery call, so that I can learn more about you and we can brainstorm what working together could look like.
