wellness at home— workout
As I set up my mat one morning well before dawn, I asked myself what I was doing it for. I was exhausted, already sore, sleep-deprived and very unmotivated.
Was I working out at 6 AM because society says it is what you must do every morning; otherwise, you're not part of the "health crew"?
Did I believe it was the only way I could be healthy?
And then I stopped for a second —
Was I really feeling those statements resonated true within myself?
I dropped into my body and quickly encountered the answer: NO. Working out early in the morning, waving goodbye to a few hours of good, restful sleep and feeling drained for the rest of the day was not beneficial for me :
I wasn't energized enough (and still asleep, to be transparent) to power through the workout ;
It didn't feel good; therefore, it was stressful on my body, and I ended up very moody.
Maybe you recognize yourself in this testimony; it is, unfortunately, the daily life of many of us:
Guilt-tripping yourself through a brutal workout first thing in the morning; otherwise, you feel you haven't started the day right.
Let me tell you, there is ANOTHER way!
Yes, moving your body is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body.
A strenuous workout elevates cortisol levels - it is a stress for your body, but a good type of stress. It makes you more resilient, builds muscle (a determinant for longevity, bone structure and overall health), releases happy hormones, reduces stress, improves cardiovascular health and more. Movement is AMAZING for your mind and body alike.
With that said, constantly working out too extremely and intensely can (and will) backfire.
Your body can only handle a healthy amount of stress; going past that point, movement will not benefit you. How do you know you've gone past your body's limit? Symptoms of over-exercising can manifest in extreme fatigue, irregular periods, insomnia, injury, and decreased performance, to name a few. But most importantly — you know. Remember, you have the ability to check in with your body on how it feels on any occasion.
So yes, move and workout, but be thoughtful about how you want to feel afterwards: mindfully include it in your life so it benefits you greatly.
Here are our tips for choosing the best movement practice:
Take into consideration your individual and unique tastes. Stop for a second and ask yourself what how liked to move as a child or what type of movement would light you up! This will ensure JOY is part of the process. Prioritizing joy has a double advantage: you'll look forward to your exercise practice and find it less complicated to show up every week.
Then it must fit into your schedule - despite what's thrown around, movement shouldn't be a chore; therefore, make it work for you! Choose the time slots that will accommodate you best weekly— and stick to them because consistency is how you achieve great results.
Shake things up! If you feel you've hit a wall or are getting bored of the same repetitive movement, try something new: do more outdoor activities, ask your friends to join you for a dance class, or try your local group classes. Doing activities and working out in group settings can be a fun way to meet like-minded people, connect and share the struggle!
There is also something to be said about women's menstrual cycles. Depending on which phase you are in, you might notice dips in your energy levels (typically in the luteal phase) or notice you have more energy and want to go all in (commonly in your follicular and ovulatory phases). Use these opportunities to lean into your body's cues and signals and act accordingly. It is essential we respect our biology, our bodies and what they communicate to us.
Come back next week to discuss how what you eat directly impacts your energy levels and can support your desire to live a well-rounded and happy life!
Yours in health,
HCG
