Joyful Movement
Do you love exercise? Or do you dread thinking about it, and detest it even further while doing it? Exercise has negative connotations for so many - it feels hard, it’s not fun, and a key reason for doing it is to alter body shape/size.
Joyful movement, however, is something else. It focuses on moving our bodies in ways that positively impact physical and mental wellbeing. Something we look forward to and enjoy!
Health At Every Size® (HAES) - a weight inclusive, anti diet, social justice movement advocating for body diversity) and Intuitive Eating principles, both support and promote MOVING our body. They just don’t support ‘exercise’ for the purpose of changing our body shape/size. There is research to show improvements to health markers can be seen through modifications to eating behaviours and movement, irrespective of any change in a persons weight. There is also research to show weight loss after 2-5 years is unsustainable in the majority of people and the negative impacts to our health of yoyo dieting.
So, the simple act of movement, irrespective of changes to body size, can benefit our health.
When exercise is reframed to joyful movement we let go of the rigidity of ‘sticking to’ our ‘exercise regime’. Instead of ‘punishing’ our bodies to lose weight, we find ways to move our body that we enjoy. That leave us feeling physically and mentally refreshed and energised. There is no focus on weight. And it doesn’t feel like a chore. We look forward to it, so it becomes an important part of our self care. And we can see positive health benefits as a result.
Think about movement you really love to do. It might be something you did as a child, or something you’ve always wanted to try. Then think about how you can flexibly fit these into life.
Some examples might include: a walk with friends for social connection and fresh air. A swim or stretch class to relax and energise. A run to process thoughts. A bike ride to let off some steam and feel free. A team sport.
As you navigate this new way of being, be compassionate to yourself. It takes time to let go of diet culture, and the idea of ‘exercise’ for weight loss. And it takes time to learn to understand what your body truly needs ‘in that moment’.
And it feels great when you do.
The Weight-Inclusive versus Weight-Normative Approach to Health: Evaluating the Evidence for Prioritizing Well-Being over Weight Loss. Tracy Tylka et al