Developing A Healthy Relationship With Exercise

This is now the time to ask yourself, “what is the real reason why I exercise?” For some it may be a simple way to help you wake up and start the day, you may be an athlete and need constant cardio/strength training, or you just simply enjoy moving your body. If you answered yes to any of these reasons, chances are that you may have a genuine and healthy relationship with exercise. For the longest time, I was using exercise to punish my body because I was not proud of how my body looked. I was constantly pushing myself to unhealthy, extreme limits because I could not obtain my desired image and always left the gym frustrated because my body wouldn't just drastically change overnight.

Fitness influencers do not know everything!

One of the most important keys to developing a healthy relationship with exercise is to dismiss all the myths you hear regarding cardio or strength training. Just simply pick a type of workout / training that you genuinely enjoy and do not worry about what “fitness influencers” on TikTok are preaching. Many fitness influencers we see on social media are not credible due to profiting off of other people's insecurities. I know that statement sounds harsh but when it comes to your mental health and stability you need to do what is best for you and enjoyable in your opinion. You are going to hear people say that walking is going to”kill your gains” or “ help you lose all of that unwanted body fat.” They're also myths and false misinterpretations about lifting weights because some assume that strength training is going to make you “too bulky.” Here is a simple truth; each person's body is different therefore, going to react a different way to other workouts.

Just because you went crazy at Thanksgiving dinner doesn't mean your body will completely change overnight!

I remember the days where I could not enjoy one holiday without feeling like I had to wake up the next morning and do enough cardio to scare off someone training for a marathon. These holidays are meant to be spent at the table with your family and friends with the memories counting, not the calories. One night of a plateful of mashed potatoes, butter noodles, turkey, dressing, and rolls is not going to completely alter your body when you wake up the next day. You may feel a little bloated but it will go away eventually! Food is so important to enjoy during the holidays because it is something we can all come together and find common ground on to be social and enjoy each other's company. One night of going “wild” or “cheating” is totally acceptable and just a part of living. Besides, isn't the whole point of Thanksgiving to have a giant feast? Even though it's important to have fun and enjoy the food, remember to make sure you don't eat too much to where you are actually regurgitating everything you had at the dinner table. I did that once at an Easter dinner with so many scalloped potatoes. I do regret that because it was not a good night's sleep for me and a food coma I did not appreciate. The whole point is to enjoy special occasions and not do a bunch of math!

It is vital to work out in an environment in which you feel comfortable and confident.

To get your body movin' and groovin', you do not need a monthly gym membership. You can simply move your body at home, in your backyard, or any place that is a personal sanctuary to you. It is common to not like to work out in front of others and that is totally understandable. I don't mind going to the gym and I do enjoy it however, I'm not a fan of when it is super packed. I'm the type of person that enjoys my privacy and my personal space because a workout is something that is supposed to be sacred to me and my body. If you would like to switch up your scenery and leave home and go somewhere else for a workout, consider asking a friend or a family member who you may feel comfortable with to enjoy the workout with you! We perform our best when we are most comfortable and confident. The gym atmosphere is sometimes intimidating, especially if you are new to exercise. I like the gym in my hometown because there is a separate cardio room and strength training room. If you would like to purchase a gym membership look up gyms in your area and see how the atmosphere would accommodate you. Something that I have picked up recently that is a group effort with other people looking to move their bodies is hot yoga classes. I was very skeptical at first because you are in a hot room with 30 plus people. The yoga environment is very relaxed and everyone is just focusing on themselves and their own inner peace. It is definitely the least intimidating way to get exercise with a group of people. If you like working out with friends, get a hot yoga buddy and I can promise you that you will not regret it one bit!

If you are looking for more specific advice please do not hesitate to reach out to me! I would love to help you make a decision of what is going to be the most comfortable for you. Developing a healthy relationship with exercise is something that has been sort of lost due to prevalent diet culture because we often perceive exercise to be a form of punishment because we are not satisfied with our body image.