We all have heard that exercise/movement is good for our health and something we should incorporate into our daily routine, but oftentimes we view exercise as something we dread. Movement is important in increasing our quality of life, decreasing chronic disease and promoting health. So how can we change our mindset from viewing exercise/movement as something negative and flip it to something positive?

I used to think you had to go for a run or go to the gym and workout until you were exhausted and drenched in sweat. I truly thought that meant I had a great workout, but over the past few years and especially with COVID and quarantine, all beliefs I had on what I thought exercise was, went out the window.

I struggled with how to move my body outside of the four walls of a gym. So I found new ways to move my body that actually sparked some joy. I started going on routine walks with my dog to explore the new city I had moved to. I started participating in online dance classes because I used to dance and missed it. It was so much fun! These forms of movement opened up my mind to ways you can move without going to the gym to sweat. 

I liked the way these movements felt and found myself looking for other ways to move when businesses and stores started to open back up after quarantine. I went bouldering, which was way out of my comfort zone and actually enjoyed that! I went skiing, and found out I really don’t love that. I went ice skating. I continued to walk and explore the city. I started to participate in more online yoga classes and meditation. I joined a tennis league and play at least once a week. I still run and try to incorporate some weight training, but that is not my main focus when moving my body. I tell you all of this to help you better understand what intuitive movement is and how you can incorporate it into your life, because maybe you hate the gym and want to find ways to move. Maybe you need to help get those creative juices flowing, and I can help!

So what is intuitive movement?

Intuitive movement is similar to intuitive eating in that you are in touch with your body and listening to the type of movement it wants and needs for that day. Your mind-body connection allows you to choose which movement sounds best based on the intensity, the movement, the length and the type. You are moving your body in ways that bring you happiness and to promote your health without the thought of weight loss looming over you. 

Focusing on what movement sounds best for the day is less stressful and more enjoyable. It allows for flexibility and no guilt or shame is involved because you didn’t intensely workout X number of days this week or didn’t stick to the running schedule. It allows you to investigate what movements feel good and what you actually enjoy. 

So how do I practice intuitive movement? Here are a few tips:

As I said, intuitive movement is flexible. It is not rigid. There is no “better” or “worse” type of movement. So, if you can’t get in a run like you wanted or can’t make it to that cycling class, maybe go for a walk or practice some yoga at home. If that seems like too much, don’t do anything and give yourself a rest day. Cueing in to what your body is trying to tell you is so important, because your body can tell you if it needs a rest day or not. You aren’t going to have poor health after one day of not working out. So remember, all types of movement benefit us in different ways. 

Remember what your “why” is. Why are you moving? Do you enjoy that movement? Do you want to lose weight? Do you feel society's pressure to go to a gym daily? Would you feel guilty if you didn’t move your body today? Really sit with those questions and your responses and get curious about what drives them. If you find that your motivation to workout is to burn calories for weight loss, I challenge you to take a week off of intentional movement and see how you feel. You could journal about how it felt. You could take the time to properly rest and show yourself some self care. You may learn that not much has changed physically with your body, but mentally and emotionally you are recharged and ready to tackle the week ahead. 

If after those questions you found that you wanted to move your body for pure enjoyment and for the health promoting benefits of exercise, that is great! Reframing movement as a way to take care of ourselves rather than a form of punishment is a great place to rediscover the relationship between exercise and your body. 

Lastly, practice gratitude. I’m so grateful for legs and arms that allow me to engage in the forms of movement that bring me joy. For so many years I viewed exercise as a “have to do” or part of my daily checklist. I went through the motions. Now, with a mindset shift, I look at exercise as something that promotes my health and not something to do with being in a smaller body. The benefits of exercise include:

• Lower levels of stress 

• Improved sleep

• Increased energy

• Increased mental clarity

• Greater muscle mass

• Higher bone density

The list goes on and on. I am so thankful that I can honor and respect my health in the form of movement and I hope the same for you!