Client Insight: “I shifted how I thought about working out and it changed my relationship with my body.”

As an emotional eater you might feel constantly at war with your body. Trying to ignore cravings, stuff down feelings, and constantly critiquing your body. You might even feel betrayed by your body every time the scale goes up or your pants feel tighter.

A lot of this conflict comes from diet culture which encourages us to follow its rules instead of our own needs and wants. One of the most common rules, that you’ve probably engaged in, is the idea that movement is a means to an end to burn the greatest number of calories. If you’ve ever slogged through a workout or pushed past pain to hit a calorie target, chances are you have a not great relationship with movement.

But there are so many reasons to move your body that have nothing to do with your appearance! Read on to start reframing how you move your body and create more appreciation for all it does for you every day!

Forget Calories, Find Play

If you weren’t focused on how many calories you were burning, what movement would you do? If you aren’t too sure where to start, think back to how you used to move as a young kid or in high school. Then, consider your personal preferences like group class or solo activity, getting outside or staying in, time to get to a class or need to squeeze it in at home. Taking into account your preferences, abilities, and time availability is a great way to create a plan that works for you. And don’t limit yourself to the gym (or the usual activities social media promotes like weight lifting or running), consider dance classes, hiking, kayaking, a rowing club, boxing, skiing, YouTube videos, cycling or spinning, there are so many possibilities!

So Many Benefits

After you move your body, check in with yourself and see how you feel. Lighthearted? How’s your anxiety level? Workout endorphins are a real thing that make us feel more upbeat and resilient in our every day. Of course it isn’t a cure-all, but regular movement can be an extraordinary tool to support your mental health. And this isn’t just limited to the movement itself, connecting with others can provide a sense of community or showing up for your planned workout makes you feel proud for keeping a promise to yourself.

Reframe For Confidence and Celebration

By meeting your needs with a movement plan that reflects your preferences and focusing on all the benefits movement brings you, you will likely start to feel more confident and comfortable in your body (no weight loss needed!). Don’t forget to celebrate newfound strength, endurance, flexibility, or abilities along your journey. This can be patting yourself on the back for landing a double pirouette in a dance class or a new workout top for showing up consistently to your chosen movement. These new measurements can be much more rewarding than a number on the bathroom scale.

As your energy shifts from day-to-day or season-to-season, you might also have to adjust how you move your body. And while you might find that some days you have to motivate yourself a little to get your movement in, remember it shouldn’t feel like a punishment.

💛 Your peace awaits.

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