Exercise is an integral component of living a healthy, happy and vibrant life. Regular daily movement is associated with a variety of health benefits including longevity, disease prevention, reduced risk of infection, a healthy BMI, reduced risk of diabetes and improved insulin sensitivity, and better sleep quality – just to name a few.
Personally, I love to exercise, and I choose to move nearly every day quite simply because I just feel a whole lot better when I move my body. Fantastic in fact.
I love to move because it makes me feel awesome. It’s fun, social and I love the supportive community at my gym. I like the challenge, confidence and sense of achievement that comes from learning a new skill, lifting a heavier weight, or running a tiny bit faster. I love to walk because it always makes me feel calm and balanced. Movement always makes me happy that I have done something positive for myself. The cool thing is, I get all those health benefits as well.
Learn To Love To Move
Bariatric surgery can provide the opportunity and impetus to redefine your relationship with your body, and how you view exercise. Reframing regular daily movement away from something you ‘should’ do, to something that will make you feel awesome, is liberating.
Opting to marvel in what your body can do, not solely focusing on what it looks like, is joyously freeing. Choosing to enjoy exercise for the strength and fitness that it brings, rather than seeing it as some sort of calorie trade negotiation with your body, is a revelation.
What are your movement motivations?
When you start out on your fitness journey, don’t hesitate from starting small. A regular short walk around the block is a great place to start. Time spent outside in the fresh air and in nature is refreshing. Walk with a friend. Take your dog. If you’re concerned about being sore or getting injured swimming and cycling are great low impact activities.
If you are already moving but haven’t yet found ‘your thing’, be inspired to try new activities to find what really works for you, your body, and your schedule. Many places offer free or discounted trial sessions.
If you hate the thought of joining a big gym or find group classes intimidating, look for a smaller personal training studio or try an online class. If you’re completely stuck – ask your health coach for advice.
Take action based on your motivations. Find activities that inspire you and align with your goals. Be consistent. And be confident knowing that with small, regular steps in the right direction you’ll achieve much more than you thought you ever could.