Movement
Let's talk about the most misguided weight-loss tool called exercise.
There is a lot of information floating around that states exercise is a great tool to lose weight.
You may argue with me and say that it is!
I want to show you an entirely different way of looking at permanent weight loss.
Exercise is not a great tool to lose weight permanently.
When you start to work out, you will most likely have an increased appetite.
In the beginning, your hunger increases and you will likely fall back into the pattern of overeating.
Increased appetite is the opposite result you want as you get your hunger/full signals straightened out.
Another reason why exercise is not a useful tool to lose weight forever is that you can only burn so many calories when you work out.
You can eat far more calories faster than the speed of working out to burn them off.
If exercise is the key to losing weight, then what will you do if you get an injury and cannot exercise?
Will the weight come piling back on because you can't work out?
Another reason to be cautious about how you think of exercise is that it likely can be another reason to beat yourself up.
You decide to do all these workouts to lose weight, but all of a sudden you have injuries!
Exercise that causes injuries is not being mindful and taking care of yourself.
This is the opposite of what permanent weight loss is all about.
The way I like to view exercise, and I encourage you to consider it as well, is far different.
I think of movement as getting a massage. I give my body a massage as a luxurious gift.
Moving your body is excellent for your health.
Moving your body is a fantastic tool for managing your mind.
When you think of moving your body, remember that you are giving it LOVE.
Body movement that is implemented into everyday life always needs to come from a place of self-love, with the mentality that it is forever.
What can you do to love yourself forever?
What will support your health and well-being, yet be sustained long-term and for life?
What kinds of movement do you love and enjoy?
Be willing to be uncomfortable in the beginning as you try new ways of movement. Starting any new body movement will be just like learning a new skill.
In the beginning, any new skill will be awkward and clunky.
As you begin to bring more motion into your life consistently, it will become more and more natural. From a place of self-love, adding movement into your life will be an entirely different experience.
Keep the following questions in mind as you start on this path:
What is something I can do for the rest of my life?
What can I do every day for the rest of my life?
Experiment by moving your body with mindfulness and you will figure out what method feels the best to you!
My Experience
I will share with you my experience of using exercise as a tool for weightloss.
I used to work out all the time! I have been incredibly fit and strong for most of my life.
I also struggled with my weight the entire time.
The very last time I lost weight for good, I did intense yoga five days a week.
I lost all my weight over the course of 2 years, but 4 months into the weight loss process...
I started to have crazy wrist pain. I stopped doing yoga and started spending thousands of dollars in health care to help manage the wrist pain.
So, I started running.
Then, per my chiropractor’s instructions, he said, “Stop running, I think the wrist problem is from your neck”.
I stopped running and started biking.
After biking for a few months, I started having radiating pain down my leg.
At that point, I finally quit exercising. My body was begging me to stop.
Quitting exercise was extremely hard!
The mental component of the exercise was the only way I knew how to manage my mind so I soon had to find another avenue.
I began meditating.
I started to look at the mind-body connection.
I started a whole new phase in my life without exercise, where I dealt with my mind and stopped changing everything else.
I have yet to go back to an intense exercise routine and I have been the thinnest for the longest time in my life.
How can this be?