In spite of being reminded throughout my entire life that I needed to exercise for my health, I didn’t do it. Truth be told, those who recently met me in the last 10 years, would never know that just a short decade ago, I was an anti-exerciser. I found every excuse under the sun to NOT move my body. I even got cranky when I couldn’t find a parking spot close to the door of the grocery store or shopping mall.
I used all kinds of excuses not to exercise, such as, I didn’t have time, or I was too tired after a long day at work, or it was too hot/cold/windy, etc. I would say things like, “Why walk when I can drive?” or “I’m too stressed out to work out!” And I always associated exercise with sweating (which I didn’t like either) and of course physical pain. Plain and simple just didn’t like exercise.
With all those excuses, no wonder I was obese and didn’t want to move my body. I am not an idiot, but I sure was acting like one. I mean it’s a proven fact that exercise helps reduce our risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It improves our balance and cognitive functions and boosts self-confidence. And regular (daily) movement also improves mood, especially if you can do it outside! And a recent study just concluded that if you walk 30 minutes for 2 weeks, you can greatly reduce your back pain!
So, what changed for me? A significant health scare prompted me to prioritize my health which of course included my physical well-being. That coupled with the fact that feeling unhappy with my current lifestyle and appearance served as a powerful motivator to make some positive changes, including making time to incorporate exercise into my daily routine. And guess what? I actually did have time, my stress levels decreased with exercise, and the weather had nothing to do with it!
What I learned is that exercise or movement doesn’t have to be done in a gym (although there is nothing wrong with the gym if that brings you joy). It doesn’t have to be a crazy intense dripping sweat workout (although I have since learned to love those sweaty, heart pounding workouts). I started moving my body just 15 minutes a day, walking on my treadmill. The very treadmill that had collected dust for years in my garage. That 15 minutes evolved to walking miles with my dog in the hills near our home.
I joined a gym because I loved to swim, in fact I was on a swim team when I was 10 and it brought me such joy back then. I found that joy again 30 years later! The gym I chose was not close to my home but I joined this particular gym because it had a lap pool so I could swim a few days a week. I was in heaven. I loved it. Swimming allowed me to move every muscle in my body, got my heart pumping and I didn’t sweat a bit. It was perfect.
I decided to take advantage of the other parts of the gym that I wasn’t using (after all, I was paying for it). I got a trainer, learned how to properly lift weights and use the machines in the gym and even started taking yoga classes. And then COVID happened, and the gym closed. Boom, no more swimming or weight lifting at the gym.
After rediscovering my joy in swimming, I found myself looking for other joyful options related to exercise. I realized that exercise didn’t have to be a chore. It could in fact be fun, and it truly did make me feel better! Joyful movement was the magic I needed to keep me in motion! (Well, that and my magic shoes. We’ll talk about those magic shoes later, but for now, let’s talk about a definition for “joyful movement.”) I define joyful movement as the idea that we should enjoy the exercise that we choose to do. In other words, doing movement in the form of activities which we love, that brings us happiness and joy.
Sure, there may be some days where you really want to do that crazy intense, cardio pumping, weight lifting, dripping sweat workout, and it’s great when you are up for it. But it may be hard to get motivated to do that every day, especially if you really aren’t enjoying that particular workout day in and day out.
So change it up! Instead, there may be days you’d rather dance your way through it – or play pickle ball, or soccer or paddle board, or snow shoe or work in your garden, or go for a bike ride, or take a hike in a forest or a trek along the beach, whatever it is for you.
In other words, your daily workout doesn’t have to be the same-old tedious fitness routine and it doesn’t need to be the latest fitness trend. Moving your body shouldn’t be something you dread and joyful movement may be the magic key to a healthier relationship with exercise as well as helping you to want to work out more regularly.
In other words, you might be more likely to exercise daily, when doing workouts that better align with your personal preferences and interests instead of following an intense program or plan. Honestly, since leaving the gym, I haven’t gone back and that’s because I’ve found other more joyful ways of incorporating movement into my day that don’t cost as much money as a monthly membership fee (although I admit, I do miss the swimming now and then).
Here are some ways to incorporate joyful movement into your life:
- Explore different activities: Try out various forms of exercise, such as dancing, hiking, swimming, yoga, cycling, or team sports, to discover what resonates with you and brings you joy. I love listening to live music at concerts and dancing to my favorite songs. Sometimes I’m the only one standing up and dancing at concerts, and you know what? I don’t really care what anyone thinks because it brings me joy!
- Set realistic goals: Instead of focusing solely on weight loss or achieving a certain physique, set goals related to enjoyment and personal fulfillment, such as improving your mood, increasing energy levels, or mastering a new skill. When I first took up paddle boarding, I was apprehensive as I thought I’d be spending a lot of time in the water, but it turns out that paddle boarding was a lot easier than I thought and honestly, in the 4 years I’ve been doing it now, I’ve never fallen in the lake…not once (even with my dog on board).
- Make it social: Participate in physical activities with friends, family members, or like-minded individuals to make exercise more enjoyable and to benefit from the support and camaraderie of others. Even walking with a 4-legged partner can be a joyful experience. I find walking with my dog makes the miles go by so much faster. If you opt to walk or hike with a friend, make sure you choose someone who can keep your pace (or close to it) so you don’t get frustrated because they are too fast or too slow (yes, I speak from experience here).
- Be mindful: Pay attention to how different types of movement make you feel both physically and mentally. Choose activities that leave you feeling energized, fulfilled, and uplifted. I’ve started and stopped so many things that seemed like a good idea, only to find either my body or mind didn’t like it after all, that’s ok…on to the next activity!
- Embrace Variety: Incorporate a mix of different activities into your routine to keep things interesting and prevent boredom. Rotate between activities that challenge different muscle groups and engage different aspects of fitness. I love gardening, something about being in nature and getting that vitamin D on my body is so wonderful. And, it turns out that gardening can be very physically demanding, with lots of reaching and bending and lifting. Even though I lift weights and do a traditional workout daily, I find I still engage muscles when gardening that I don’t engage in those “traditional” workouts.
- Listen to your body: Tune in to your body’s signals and choose activities that feel good and align with your current energy levels and physical capabilities. Avoid pushing yourself too hard or engaging in activities that cause pain or discomfort.
- Find joy in the process: Focus on the present moment and the sensations of movement rather than fixating on outcomes or performance. Allow yourself to experience pleasure and satisfaction in the act of moving your body. One of my all time favorite ways to bring joy to my life is to do yoga. It allows me to really focus on my body, my muscles, my mind, tune out all the daily noise and get into the music, the intentional movement, my balance, my physical strength, and my mental clarity. For me, it all comes together in a great yoga class.
- Create a supportive environment: Surround yourself with positive influences and remove barriers that hinder your ability to engage in joyful movement. This could involve making space for physical activity in your daily schedule, investing in comfortable workout attire (trust me, this is one instance where there’s no argument…the shoes matter).
- Make it more appealing: By coupling movement with other daily activities that you enjoy. This could include reading, watching your favorite show or listening to a podcast or music while moving your body. I mean you could sit on the couch and watch Desperate Housewives, or you could get on an exercise bike and pedal while you watch it.
- Keep it fun: Incorporate elements of playfulness, creativity, and spontaneity into your physical activities to keep things fun and exciting. Experiment with different styles, techniques, and environments to keep your workouts fresh and enjoyable. It’s all part of the journey!
The key is finding a fitness plan that works for you so that you keep your body moving on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to be the same routine day in and day out (although your dog would appreciate a daily walk). The practice of joyful movement encourages you to move your body in a way that actually feels good to you, because there are many ways to have a healthy fitness regimen.
I’d love for you to share your own experiences or tips for incorporating joyful movement into your life. Not only is it great to share with the community but you may have a great, fun idea for moving your body that someone hasn’t thought of! Post a comment!
Getting fit can be fantastic journey to a healthier, happier you and trust me, it’s so worth it. I know because I lived it.
I stopped chasing weight loss and started focusing on my health—and that single shift changed everything. I lost 140 pounds, but more importantly, I found clarity, energy, and a life that finally feels like mine.
I tell the whole story in my book. Click HERE to learn more about it!
Click HERE to meet my dog, Miss Olive!