When was the last time you enjoyed exercise? If we change the word exercise to movement, when was the last time you enjoyed moving? It’s time to enjoy exercise again!
Enjoy Exercise Like A Child
Not long ago I was teaching my 2 and 2.5-year-old nephews to plank (as you do). One of them was really taken with it. He’d hold the plank for about two seconds and then pop up out of it (as you do when you’re two), look at me and say, “AGAIN!,” with earnest excitement. Then he’d shout an eager, “YES!” as he set his hands up on the ground to come back into plank. This cycle was repeated multiple times. I was overjoyed to see someone so unabashedly enjoy exercise.
What Moves Do You Love?
I love to move. That doesn’t mean that I never have to coax myself into it. There are times when getting started is hard for me. But overall I love the way moving feels. I look forward to taking a Pilates class, walking with Matt when he gets home from work, and running with my friends. I like the way it feels when a tough workout makes me sweat. The mountains in New Hampshire entice me because you can start walking and just keep going for 6-8 hours with stunning views along the way. It’s guaranteed prolonged movement.
When we are children we play tag and wiggle and dance. We are silly with movement. Then maybe we get into sports and movement becomes more organized and competitive, but still there is a game aspect to it. If we wind up in dance we get to have an artistic side to our movement and then blush when they stuff us into a yellow leotard that barely fits with a yellow tutu and call us a sunbeam (just me?) for the recital.
Whether you love movement or dread it, don’t you still want to feel like my 2-year-old nephew when you move? Don’t you want the instructor in the class to say time for plank, push up, the roll-up, (or insert any move) and you to have to work to contain yourself from shouting, “YES, I love that one!”
When exactly is it that movement becomes a task, just another item on our to-do list, over part of the day we are really looking forward to and enjoy? And if you’ve lost that joy, how do we find it again?
Here are a couple ideas for finding joy in your movement again:
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Friends
Move with friends. Schedule a time to walk or run with friends and know you have the double benefit of getting quality time with someone you enjoy.
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Feel Good
Pick movement that feels good. That “No Pain, No Gain” slogan. It’s not right. You can make gains without pain. Choose movement you enjoy and that feels good in your body.
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Remember Your Love!
Think about when you used to love movement and look for ways you can incorporate that now. Did you used to just dance to music in your room? Do it. Make a TikTok video with your kids. Be silly.
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Break
Use movement as a way to take a break. Stuck on an idea? Just sick of being at the computer during COVID? Make a walk midday your chance to escape.
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Functional
Find a way to make movement have a function for you. Ride your bike to work or walk to the store to pick something up. Just make sure you can carry it back.
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Competitive
If you have a competitive spirit, join a team. Get a Fitbit (or similar devise) to track your steps and self-compete day-to-day.
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Beauty/Nature
Find a place that you enjoy being and move there. Science says if we move outside we will do more movement. Green space encourages us to move more. And if you see water wherever you pick, you’ll move even more.
Movement can be fun and feel good. We just have to find the right move and change our mindset to see it that way. Sometimes it’s good to stop and remember how we saw the world when we were two and be equally excited that we can move! Because it does FEEL SO GOOD!
Keep Reading
How to get someone to do plank.
Should you be doing straight arm or elbow plank?
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