How to Love Exercise—and Finally Stay Consistent
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1. Shift your mindset
The foundation of my approach to wellness is largely made up of mind shifts.
Of changes in your perspective. Changes in your response.
Your reality is not an objective experience. You choose your reality.
(Read that again.)
For example, if someone cuts you off in traffic, you can choose to respond in a number of ways. You can yell, call them names, become irritated or angry- all of which will likely be accompanied by a physical reaction in your body. Rising heart rate, release of adrenaline, rise in blood pressure.
But there is always another version.
You can simply let it go. You can think, “maybe they’re in a hurry because they are late for something important.”
You choose your response.
This is true for anything. Here are my two favorite mind shifts when it comes to exercise:
Movement, not exercise.
When we think about exercise, it is often from a negative perspective- engrained in our minds from a lifetime of things we’ve been told about exercise.
You may associate exercise with shame, guilt, pain, force, punishment, or failure.
If this is the case, try changing the word ‘exercise’ to ‘movement.’
Movement does not carry with it the negative connotation often associated with exercise.
Movement conjures associations such as freedom, exploration, flow, liberation, or feeling wild and unbound.
So, when planning your “exercise routine”- give it a new name. Try writing down, “Daily Movement” in your agenda.
When thinking about it in your mind, ask yourself how you are going to choose to move your body today?
The second mind shift:
I do not have to, I get to.
Do you ever think about what a gift your body is?
Do you ever consider the idea of not being able to move your body? What it would feel like?
Movement is a gift. Movement is a miracle.
When finding motivation for your daily movement, remember this.
Choose to view movement as a gift instead of a punishment.
Choose to feel grateful.
2. Find the right movement for you
In order for these mind shifts to work effectively- it’s important to find movement that resonates with your body.
Maybe you have gone your entire life starting and stopping different exercise routines, never fully enjoying yourself or connecting with the activity?
Try finding movement that feels good.
Do not choose it based on what everyone else is doing.
Do not choose it based on how many calories you will burn.
Choose it because it feels right in your body.
My personal favorite movement is vinyasa flow yoga and trail running. I also like to incorporate hiking, pilates, and strength training.
Through experimentation, I found that certain exercises such as heavy weight lifting and exercise programs that focus intensely on superficial appearance- are not right for me.
Hate the gym? I’m not a fan either. I practice my daily movement either at home (I love Alo Moves) or outside.
When you find something that aligns with you and feels good in your body- you can look forward to it as a daily ritual.
As something you do for yourself because it makes you feel really good.
You will no longer dread exercise because you will actually enjoy it.
You’ll know it when you find it.
3. Go outside
I have to include this in here because the benefits of being in nature multiply the benefits you are already receiving by engaging in consistent daily movement.
Spending time outdoors has been linked to:
Lowering stress, anxiety, and depression
Raising vitamin D levels
Improving sleep
Increasing focus and concentration
Among many other things.
So try including outdoor movement in your routine. Here are a few ideas:
Trail running
Hiking
Outdoor yoga
Bike riding
Swimming
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Surfing
4. Treat yourself to new gear
Here’s a confession. I am obsessed with Lululemon’s align clothing.
It’s expensive. But it makes me feel really, really good in my body.
The fabric and fit work better for me than any other brand I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot.)
And let me tell you. Switching from activewear that does not feel right for your body or does not fit you well- to clothing that makes you feel confident, secure, and comfortable- is a total game changer.
I honestly think it is an essential component of cultivating a daily movement routine.
The clothing you wear becomes an extension of your body.
If you are uncomfortable in your clothing, you will be uncomfortable in your body. If you are uncomfortable in your body, you will be uncomfortable in your movement.
(Read that again.)
So, I am not big on material things. Material things require an exchange of your time and energy and I believe you should choose wisely and keep your material possessions to a minimum.
However, finding activewear or gear (yoga mat, towel, etc.) that brings you joy, makes you feel good, and calls you to move your body is absolutely beneficial (and even necessary- depending on the person) to creating a daily movement ritual that you will truly love and stay consistent with.
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