Why do you exercise? Have you thought about that lately? Do you think you might exercise more for the sake of burning calories (or shaping, or sculpting, or perfecting) than moving for joy, for stress relief, for strength, for flexibility, for peace? Or, perhaps it's a combination.
It's easy to let the old Diet Talk creep into your physical activity. If you grew up like me, you might not have been very athletic. I loved to dance as a girl, but when it came to dirt, balls flying, and racing, forget about it. Or, perhaps you did play a sport for fun or competition, but maybe the Diet Mentality still crept up on you...and still does.
Whether you grew up athletic or not, or whether you still play sports or not, you hear the messages that exercise is good for you. Your heart, your lungs, your muscles, your bones, and your spirit all need regular doses of movement. Yet, as I am reminded time and time again when working with clients, or conversating with a variety of people, or even taking some fitness classes, exercise seems to be considered as another route to dieting, a way to burn the fat, a way to blast the calories.
That's sad because diets don't work. Sorry, but they don't. Diets and deprivation lead to more cravings and binges. One step forward, five steps back.
Okay, so maybe you're thinking you really do need to lose weight as advised by your doctor for critical health reasons. I get that. That's okay. There are ways to safely, slowly, and healthily lose weight. But, I still don't think viewing exercise as a means to lose weight is your ticket to weight loss success or happiness. So, what's the answer? View movement as a way to connect, a way to be present in your body, a way to be real.
Sure, "exercise" has benefits like strengthening and empowering your heart, lungs, muscles, bones and spirits. I could continue to list countless payoffs, but my point is to challenge you to view exercise differently.
Move to feel good. Find some form of movement you LOVE. At first, that can be challenging if you haven't been regularly exercising. Think baby steps. Try different activities. Seek out teachers, trainers and classes who focus on the body and spirit and sustainability versus perfect physiques. Keep a journal about this experience.
Challenge yourself, then challenge others. Challenge others to focus on moving for joy and strength rather than burning calories -- Rise above that Diet Monster. Show her who's boss, who's real, who's on her way....
1 comment:
I'm a dietitian and I totally agree- diets don't work. Not only that, they sabotage a healthy relationship with food and body. I like the visual you mention of the Diet Monster! Sometimes I tell my clients to visualize a chain holding them back (that they need to break away from) or a little gremlin whispering diet nonsense in their ear (they need to tell him they aren't going to listen and then squash him). Unfortunately, diet talk and diet thinking is everywhere in our society so people need to be aware of that influence. Good post, Caroline!
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