The Movement Revolution
"Exercise" used to be my self-inflicted punishment. NOWADAYS, "movement" is my joy. Some details on how I now choose to move every day and why these practices are now a cornerstone of self-care.
I clearly remember the days when I was completely disconnected from an intuitive, loving relationship with my body. When I look back at those times I realize that not only was I depriving myself of the nourishment my body desperately cried out for, but also ignoring all signals for rest and healing. Daily I would push myself to do an hour of machine cardio and another hour of weights at the gym until I was lightheaded, on a nearly empty stomach. On days when I couldn't make it to the gym, I would try my hardest to restrict calories even more to "make up for it". Unfortunately, I knew many other women who were doing the same.
When my goal was to change my body due to dissatisfaction and insecurity, exercise was something I dreaded, or at best, could tolerate on a good day. I had forgotten the child-like, innate wisdom that movement is meant to be joyful and an expression of how incredible it is that I have the gift that is this body. So much has changed in every aspect of my life since those days of self-punishment- most notably, my mindset. Now, my idea of movement involves activities that make me feel strong, that get me out into nature, and that connect me to my inner energy and "flow". And, best of all, the foods I now choose to nourish my body with give me an abundance of energy to add these practices into my day. It all feels GOOD. I've outlined some of the staples that keep my blood flowing, awareness centered, and metabolism humming, daily.
1. Biking. My number one favorite daily way to get moving and out into the fresh air. Having grown up as a competitive equestrian and being completely obsessed with riding every day after school (chuckle), riding a bike with the wind in my hair intuitively feels like my most cherished way to move. Ever since I bought my Giant road bike, I ride for fun and to commute daily.
2. 35 lb Plate. If I didn't have the luxury of a convenient, ten-dollars-a month gym in my life, this is the only equipment I would buy to use at home. At the gym I use this for everything in my circuits- holding during squats, lunges, wall sits, deadlifts, etc. Some days I'll go up in plate size but 35 lb is currently the perfect weight for my intents and purposes. Doing a moderate amount of resistance training each week helps me to feel strong, and the muscle tone I gain keeps my metabolism running efficiently.
3. Hiking. I live in Florida. So my version of local hiking is nothing compared to the times I have spent in the mountains. But there are quite a number of trails within an hour and a half of my home that do the trick to get my blood pumping and that refreshing dose of Vitamin N (nature). Even just a walk around the local park feels luxurious to me. Anything that gets me outdoors is a "yes" in my book.
4. These shoes. The Nike Free is my all-purpose shoe and I wear it for every activity I do. I've had one pair for 3 years now and they are still going strong. I'm definitely thinking about investing in another very soon- I'm devoted to this lightweight, cross-training style. Before I weight train at the gym, I walk on the treadmill on an incline for about fifteen minutes and literally pretend like I'm hiking outside. That's about all the impact work I do and these shoes are perfect for this, but I would not recommend them for running on concrete.
5. Heavy duty yoga mat. Ever since I started yoga a few years ago, I have learned so much about my inner world, and about how to deal with everyday life with grace and compassion. When I first started my practice I would beat myself up for not being able to touch my toes, and going to a one hour class felt beyond my attention span. Now, hot yoga once a week and a daily home practice is my jam. The amount of strength I have gained in muscles I didn't even know existed also blows my mind. I like a mat that's on the heavy-duty side and pretty sticky. Gaiam is the brand I currently use.
The self-care mindset revelation that sparked my joy for movement continues to feed every aspect of my relationship with myself and my life. When I feel strong, I am empowered to face challenges at work and at home. When I feel invigorated, I find the energy to seek inspiration and dig into my creativity. When I find flow, I discover mindful awareness and inner peace. Movement goes deeper than forming an "ideal" body, for we are much more than physical beings. When we access the passion and joy in movement, we discover the endless amounts of energy accessible to us and nourish our power to create the life we desire.