Exercise Shouldn't be Punishment #MondayMoan
We know exercise has lots of benefits for our health- mental and physical.
Exercise can:
improves cardiovascular/heart health
boosts mood
important for bone health and mobility
benefits for mental health, such as reducing stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms
When we focus on exercise as punishment for something we've eaten, or plan to eat, we lose some of these benefits. Running until the treadmill says you've burned X kcals is NOT going to out you in a good mood or reduce stress.
Many of us seem to have a "burn to earn" attitude towards movement. We exercise to burn off energy and earn food. What an awful way to view movement!
Our bodies are built to move- and to move they require energy. So, this "burn to earn" notion is nonsense! Our bodies NEED to move and NEED to eat. Please do both often!
Remember that exercise is not, and should not, just about losing weight or toning up. It should be a celebration of what your body can do. It should be time for yourself. It should be an opportunity to learn something or test yourself. It should be FUN & ENJOYABLE!
My advice for moving more:
Try something new- take a class or try a new sport.
Do something you enjoy- if you hate yoga, don't do it. If you hate crossfit, don't do it. There are so many forms of exercise, don't force yourself to do things you hate.
Rope in a friend- moving with someone else makes it more fun and you can motivate each other to keep going.
Move throughout the day- gardening and cleaning are forms of useful movement, as is taking the stairs. Add more of these things into your day. Taking a 10 minute walk at lunchtime or before dinner are easy ways to move more too.
Listen to music or podcasts while you move- I tend to extend my walks when I'm listening to something!
Exercise is great, but don't sacrifice your mental health to get in a workout.
Watch my #MondayMoan video here:
Lots of love,
Little O x
#exercise #movement #health #healthy #healthyliving #mondaymoan