Intuitive Eating Challenge Day 9: Movement - Feel the Difference
When you think of the word ‘exercise’, what comes to your mind? Do you think about how it feels like a chore - something to check off of your list? Or is it something you feel guilty about if you don’t do on a regular basis?
Exercise is often associated with burning calories and the desire to lose weight. People often blame themselves when they do not have the ‘willpower’ to exercise, yet it is hard to exercise when we are dieting and our energy tank is depleted.
In Intuitive Eating, the word ‘movement’ is used instead of exercise. Movement is about shifting our focus from what exercise gives us permission to do, to noticing how we FEEL when we move our bodies.
Does moving your body help you feel:
Less stressed?
More energized?
More empowered?
Like you get better quality sleep and are more well-rested?
According to Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, it can also be helpful to remember all that movement does for us, outside of weight and body size:
Increases bone strength
Increases stress tolerance
Decreases blood pressure
Reduces risk of chronic diseases
Increases heart and lung strength
Improves mood
Improves learning and memory
Prevents or delays cognitive decline associated with aging
Even the smallest actions matter! It doesn’t have to look like you are drenching in sweat for it to have a positive impact. It can be simply moving for thirty total minutes throughout the day (and the 30 minutes DO NOT need to be all at once!).
And remember, taking care of yourself also means to REST when you need to, such as when you are sick. Listen to your body and do what is best for you. Rest is important, too.
I also want to give a gentle reminder that this information is simply an introduction to the skill created by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. If you want to learn more, please check out their wonderful book, Intuitive Eating!
Please be gentle with yourself today as you try this principle of Intuitive Eating, and if you are interested in getting my emails filled with reflective questions and ideas for practicing today’s principle, click here and sign up for my newsletter!
