Get Moving: Beyond The Physical Body
I’ve been thinking a lot about why movement is so important in our lives beyond changing or amplifying the shape of our body, gains, getting snatched, a six pack, legging legs, thigh gaps and all of the words we see associated with fitness, exercise and, even now, yoga and pilates practices. I’ve also been thinking a lot about why it’s the human condition to make excuses, be non-committal and think about health as a loss instead of a gain.
I’ve been thinking a lot about why movement is so important in our lives beyond changing or amplifying the shape of our body, gains, getting snatched, a six pack, legging legs, thigh gaps and all of the words we see associated with fitness, exercise and, even now, yoga and pilates practices. I’ve also been thinking a lot about why it’s the human condition to make excuses, be non-committal and think about health as a loss instead of a gain.
But what if we thought about movement and its benefits beyond what we look like in our clothes, a swimsuit or naked? What if we thought about taking the time to move and get healthy not as another thing to do, but as a gift we give ourselves and our mind? When we remove the thought of moving just for our physical body or vanity, we realize there is more meaning and intention to moving; one that calls us to think about being healthy and caring for ourselves. A meaning that evolves well beyond getting into certain clothes, receiving the admiration of a man or partner - a meaning that lives inside of us. We are given 1 body and 1 mind in this life and it really is our job to love, care for and treat them with respect. It’s a priority.
I move daily not to improve the outside of my body, but to calm my mind and prevent problems in old age. At this point, my body is my body, my skin is my skin post weight loss, the lady lumps are the lady lumps and it’s an exercise in acceptance and seeing my body beyond aesthetics. It feels weird to write this, even as TMI Tina, but having osteoarthritis at 43 and a post-Covid onset of lupus (not fully diagnosed), I’m now on medication. The medicine, combined with lifestyle and movement has done wonders for my pain, fatigue and strengthening of my joints. Autoimmune disease, arthritis and dementia run in my family and the Dr said being overweight at a young age likely also stressed my body, along with genetics - but I refuse to let this be my health story. All’s to say, the reasons we move are varied and different. I move for my past and my future, to be present and healthy today. I move because without it I might lose my mind. My stress, anxiety and hair loss have also benefited. Desk life, always being on and attached to phones - it’s forever changed us. Social media and cues to workout or move to look good alongside beliefs that movement is for the physical body and vanity is, for lack of a better word or the use of profanity, bonkers. My wish for all of us is that we move our bodies more mindfully. For an inner harmony and the benefit of a healthier life, mind and aging process overall. To cure ourselves of anything that has happened, to prevent what may. I didn’t start moving 22 years ago only for weight loss. Weight loss was simply a benefit of getting my mind to a healthy state. Something to think about as we approach our whys and reasons to move. Watching my parents age and growing up with a sibling who has rheumatoid arthritis are part of my everyday reasons to move. It's a movement I make with heart as a debt of honor - for them.
If you've fallen out of the practice of moving your body, I’ve got you. Whether you’ve been feeling emotionally down, in physical pain, with PMS, hormones changing or otherwise - I went ahead and compiled a list of reasons to move. My hope is that they’ll motivate you to think a bit differently about movement because even when we are feeling down or in pain, the antidote to remedy many physical aches and pains and emotions is motion.
7 reasons to move can be found here.
But what if we thought about movement and its benefits beyond what we look like in our clothes, a swimsuit or naked? What if we thought about taking the time to move and get healthy not as another thing to do, but as a gift we give ourselves and our mind? When we remove the thought of moving just for our physical body or vanity, we realize there is more meaning and intention to moving; one that calls us to think about being healthy and caring for ourselves.
Move For Your Mental Health: Research shows that moving more boosts our mood. Feeling anxious, get up from your desk and go for a walk. Feeling stressed, get going. Want to tear your partner's face off, leave the house and move. It’s that simple. Movement changes our mood and perspective. Try it, you’ll love it.
Fight For Your Mind: Dementia and Alzheimer’s are becoming more and more common in the United States and in the UK almost 1 million people are living with these illnesses. That 1 in 11 people over the age of 65. Lifestyle factors, including diet and movement, can be the key to preventing the onset of such diseases and cognitive decline. Get out that Sudoku, read a book, take a walk and eat real food.
Stay Limber: The simple act of daily stretching increases circulation, blood flow, can improve balance and joint mobility. Do you wanna be old and rickety? I don’t think so.
Build Muscle Now: The older we get, the more bone density and the more muscle mass we lose. That’s why, as we age, the elderly tend to fall more. But, if we build muscle now, while we are healthy and more than capable, we have a higher likelihood of not being a fall risk or a pain in the ass to our loved ones who may or may not choose to care for us.
A Body In Motion Stays In Motion: We all have aches and pains and as we age and sit at desks, those aches and pains increase. But in order to stay fluid, we have to move and push past pain - in safe ways of course. I’m not saying run on a rolled ankle or yoga with a sprain, but I am saying there are many ways to move during the day and when we’re in pain that are helpful, passive and not taxing. Chair yoga, heel lifts at the kitchen sink, small wall push ups, standing while doing swimmers arms. Walk laps in your house. Whatever you do, just get off the couch. Simple and accessible.
Sleepy Time: Want to sleep better? Move more. More movement during the day means less stress and better sleep at night. Movement regulates our sleep-wake cycle and who wants to pass up sleeping more soundly?
Energy Boost: Movement releases endorphins and happy hormones. Don’t get high, move to get a real high - a jolt of energy with oodles of other benefits.