What motivates me to exercise regularly?
Strength, physical appearance and health benefits are only a small part of it. Moving my body makes me feel good on the inside. It makes me feel accomplished, energetic and good about myself. It relieves anxiety and depression, relaxes me and helps me sleep.
Movement is such a great way to change how I’m feeling or even channel strong emotions. There are many days that I wake up and think, “ugh.. I really do not feel like working out today,” or “I am so tired and feeling blah – I would love to sit on this couch all day!” I’ll even have planned a really fun hiking trip the night before for the following day and then I wake up and I’m just not feeling it. After hemming and hawing, I’ll go anyway and guess what? NOT ONCE did I ever regret that hiking trip! Once I get there and get moving, my whole mood changes. I feel light, happy and on top of the world. Best of all, I feel good about myself – confident and positive.
I have learned a few things about myself when it comes to exercise. I crave stability and routine but at the same time I get super bored by it! I think that’s why I haven fallen in love with Pilates and hiking so much. Pilates is so “flexible” (no pun intended). I can do it everyday and it will never be the same. I usually choose my program depending on how my body is feeling and what I think it needs that day. Maybe just 20-30 minutes today with lots of spinal articulation and abdominal work because my back feels really tight. Or maybe a full hour with lots advanced work on the chair or reformer. Or maybe just some stretching after strength training at the gym. I can mold it to get what I need out of it that day.
Hiking and being outdoors is very spiritual for me. So not only do I get a great workout, I’m getting food for my soul at the same time. Being in nature puts things in perspective for me. And it is such an adventure! I try to make it a point to get outdoors once a week. (Oh, and P.S. you can Pilates outdoors! How great is that?)
I feel like I have found a good “recipe” for myself when it comes to my exercise program. I call it a recipe because it consists of a little bit of this and a little bit of that. When I forget an ingredient, I don’t feel as good. What is your recipe? Don’t have one yet? I encourage you to try and figure it out! Try new things – you won’t regret it.
I'm adding some links here to a couple articles that I really liked that discuss the connection between movement and mental health:
"Your mind and body are intimately connected. And while your brain is the master control system for your body’s movement, the way you move can also affect the way you think and feel."
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm/
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