Intuitive Exercise

We all know we need to exercise to stay fit and healthy.  Exercise helps us fight disease, it boosts our immunity, energizes us, and it makes us happy.  It gives us confidence, helps us keep our weight in check, and helps us to age gracefully.

But there is a point of diminishing returns at which we don't get the benefits of the exercise.  This can happen in a variety of situations.  It may happen if you are forcing yourself to engage in a physical activity even though you don't enjoy it.  It may happen if you are overriding your body's need for a rest or a different type of exercise.  These situations can cause more harm than good.  They cause mental and physical stress, which usually results in injury or non-compliance.  

To figure out if our exercise routines are healthy for us, here a few questions we can ask ourselves:

1.  Do I look forward to exercising?  
2.  Am I exercising as a punishment for the food that I ate?
3.  Does this exercise bring me joy?  
4.  Do I feel like doing this particular exercise today?
5.  What exercise do I need today?
6.  How do I feel after I exercise?
7.  WHY am I exercising?


It takes a paradigm shift, but if we find movement that we enjoy, and if we can do it as a celebration rather than a punishment, we will be more likely to continue with our exercise routine and we will reap the benefits.

I am noticing this in real time with my own exercise habits. 

For the first time in the last 6 years, I am not teaching group fitness classes.  I have always loved being a group fitness instructor-- I love the energy and the sense of community I got from working in the company of others.  But things have changed, and my workouts look different lately.

I now work out with my husband in our garage at 5:45 four mornings a week.  We work out with heavier weights for a shorter amount of time, we sweat a ton, and don't really speak to each other very much.  😂 I absolutely love it.  I love how my muscles are reacting, and I love how strong I feel.  On the weekends, we may ride our mountain bikes on the trails, or we may take a hike, we may simply take a leisurely walk,  or we may not do anything.  It depends on how we feel.  

Last weekend, the weather was cooler and I felt like running.  So I did.  It was great!  I loved how I felt afterwards.   I was sore the next day, so I took a rest day.  I stretched because that's what I needed.  

Do you notice a pattern?  I am in the habit of lifting 4 days a week.  I very rarely opt out.  I may go lighter or take more rest breaks, but I created this habit and I don't have to think about it.  This leaves lots of time for other kinds of movement, if I so desire.  I like to mix things up, so I decide what I need when it is time.  This makes things more interesting and enjoyable and I am more inclined to move 6 days a week because of it.  I am listening to my intuition and the feedback my body is giving me.  

If you are in an exercise rut, or if you are just trying to build an exercise habit, consider asking yourself the questions above and figuring out what movement is going to bring you joy and give you something to look forward to. 

​If you need some guidance, drop a comment! 

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