I talk about how movement gives me joy A LOT. And it isn't fake, it isn't laid on thick, it isn't because I want you to pay me to help you exercise. It is because movement genuinely, authentically, really and truly, gives me joy.
I'm not sure what these people are doing, but it looks pretty joyful to me.
When I go for a run, after I'm warm and loose and jamming to my music, I get tingles all down my head and shoulders, and a feeling of elation. Runners' high. When I lift weights, I get worn down, sweaty, and tired, but after I'm done and walking out of the gym, I feel a looseness and relaxation that is very similar to drinking a glass of wine or eating a good meal with a great friend. A long walk or yoga session gives me a slow, steady feeling of well-being, and if it's an outdoor walk, it makes me feel connected to my community and nature.
But if you don't exercise regularly, this may sound like straight-up bull sh*t.
I can hear your skepticism.
I was not always this way. Running used to be a miserable slog that I did out of desperation, hoping to lose weight, but the endeavor was so sporadic and desperate, I never made any progress. I had never even heard of yoga until my mid-twenties. (As a reminder, I grew up in Tennessee in the 90's and aughts, where the fitness class offering were aerobic dance or hip hop, and my movies-and-popcorn family sure wasn't going to either.) The only person I knew who "exercised" was my robust grandmother, who was passionate about three things: the Bible, romance paperbacks, and long, daily walks.
So I am asking you to trust me for a moment, whether you know me or not, when I tell you that as a human being,
you are capable of feeling joy in movement.
If you haven't ever tapped into that feeling of joy (and I challenge you to really go back, because most people have memories of swimming or running across the playground or jumping from the swings when they were children), I don't want you to feel discouraged or overwhelmed. It is built into you at the most basic level. Your very atoms love to move. So what can you do?
Don't overthink it. You do NOT have to do high intensity workouts, or be pouring buckets of sweat, or lose your breath to get this feeling. You do not have to have a twelve week program, or the perfect workout plan. A gentle walk or a little swim is the perfect way to start. If you haven't been to a swimming pool or playground lately, maybe embrace your inner child and give it a try.
Embrace the fun. Think of fun ways to move, even if it's just for a minute. Try the swings, race with your kids or your friends to see who can get to the car first, pretend like the floor is lava, or that there are crocodiles in the cracks of the sidewalk. Put on a dance video or learn the choreography to a music video you love. Do you remember how to skip? Many people don't. If it was fun when you were a kid, it might be fun now. Maybe sign up for a tap class, or karate, just like your 10-year-old self might have done, or wanted to do. Play a sport. Ping pong, pickleball, tennis, golf, or basketball only require one other person, and can bring a fun social element, and some sports can be played at free fields in local parks or sports complexes.
When in doubt, channel your inner child. Or, if you have a child readily available, just copy them. They will think it is hilarious.
Gamify it. Use an app like Zombies Run! or C25K. Make it a challenge- can you walk every day for 30 days? Can you do the Yoga with Adriene challenge on YouTube? If your partner or a friend wants to get fit, too, maybe make it a contest. Pokemon GO! and other apps can give you an excuse to walk around your neighborhood. You write the rules, and the only condition is that it gets your body moving.
Try something completely new. Many gyms and fitness clubs offer free trials, so if you've never done yoga, Zumba, barbell bootcamp, you can try it and see how it feels. Going in is the hardest part. If group classes aren't for you, try a new form of cardio, like swimming, rowing, or biking. YouTube has classes for almost every form of exercise out there, so if signing up for a free trial stresses you out, take a pilates or ballet class online in the comfort of your own home. Go vintage with a Richard Simmons or Jane Fonda workout.
A room full of people who exercise produce enough endorphins to share with you. Scientific fact. Just don't think about the mechanics of how that might happen.
So what about if none of this works?
There are a few things that might suck the joy from movement, and all of them may require you to seek out a healthcare or mental health professional.
You're sick. If you are in pain or too exhausted to enjoy movement, skip it. Your body is doing enough. If this is consistently a problem, seek out a healthcare professional.
You are not fueling your body. If you are in drastic calorie deficit, or have been under-nourished, it can make movement feel more like punishment than pleasure. If it is simply a matter of being rushed, or a misguided attempt at weight loss, just bump up the nutrient-dense food in your life, like high-quality animal products, pulses and beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. If this feels impossible or scary for you, it may be a sign of a deeper problem. Seek a healthcare professional's help.
You are sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation makes any movement feel 10 times harder, and any movement done in a sleep deprived state will do more to deplete your body than help you reach your health and fitness goals. Leave it, and get some sleep. If you are consistently unable to sleep, you guessed it, healthcare professional.
You are depressed. Having been depressed myself at several points in my life, I can tell you that it makes any effort as self-improvement, including movement, feel joyless and overwhelming. If you cannot bring up any enthusiasm for everyday tasks, you are tired all the time, or you do not feel you are worthy of self-care, you may be depressed. Seek out a mental health professional. Exercise can help, but it isn't going to solve the problem.
I hope this little post helps you find some joy in movement, and if you try these tips, and the above do not apply to you, send me a message or email and we'll see if we can figure it out together.
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