I train to nourish my body, not to punish it.
I actually train less these days because my commitment is to tune into my body and really listen to it. Some days I wake up a little tired, which means I’ll rest and relax. Some days I wake up feeling energized, which means I’ll be doing one of my favorite workouts. These days it ranges from walking, yoga or a HIIT class.
I felt so much pressure to do hard workouts every day as part of the “burn calories” diet mindset. Exercise used to be about punishing myself for “dieting sins”. Looking back, I feel sad that I had this relationship with myself, but I am proud of where I am now, healthy and happy.
The moment I started exercising with kindness and balance, my relationship with my body changeded. Here are five tips that cover it yourself.
- Listen to your body. Pay attention to how your body feels each day and adjust your workout routine accordingly. If you feel tired, consider resting or exercising more lightly.
- Choose the activity you like. I truly believe that exercise should be enjoyable, so choose activities that you look forward to doing. Whether it’s dancing, hiking, or weightlifting, find something that makes you feel good. Personally, I love doing workouts in the JSHealth app. there’s something for every mood, from HIIT and strength training to yoga and meditation… and if you’re short on time, there are great options that are just 10 minutes.
- Focus on progress, not perfection. Instead of striving for perfection in your training (which simply doesn’t exist and causes so much stress), focus on progress. Celebrate small wins and improvements, like adding an extra rep or walking an extra mile.
- Avoid negative self-talk. Reframe negative self-talk around exercise into positive affirmations. Instead of saying, “I need to work out to burn those calories,” say, “I’m going to work out so I feel strong and energetic.”
- Practice self-love. Always be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for missing a workout or not performing as well as you’d like. Remember that exercise is just one aspect of your overall health and wellness, and it should have flexibility like all areas of your life; it’s the JSHealth way.