Re: Re: Just like brushing my teeth...

[Guest guest]

I agree with this and think it was really well said Sue. I had to stop exercising as I had forced it so long as a form of trying to lose weight and getting disappointed every time I saw it wasn't working. Now I am starting back into a more regular exercise pattern just this month and am realizing what I like and what I do not like and I like to do what i enjoy to exercise my body. It will make me feel so much more energetic and healthy. I enjoy walking, T-Tapp, yoga, pilates, resistance band strength training...and swimming when weather permits. I am also enjoying about the post about the magazines as I was subscribed to self and fitness and shape and for the last year I have thrown away all of them because it was so diet focused and just the wrong focus for me.

I have done Thin Within over the last year...

Glad to be here and learn more about IE.

Kim

Re: Just like brushing my teeth...

Dawn et al.: I believe the keys to exercise, eating and even weight loss are MODERATION and GRACE. As Abby said, 'exercise' makes our bodies feel good. However, some people resist 'exercise' because they previously forced themselves to exercise or used extreme forms of exercise or even exercised too often and/or injured themselves with extreme exercise schedules. However, exercise is just a way to move our bodies, which need movement as well as rest. The fact that some people exercise in extreme ways doesn't mean 'exercise' per se is extreme. Just as we can avoid extreme eating habits like bingeing or starving, we can find moderate, enjoyable ways to move our bodies each day.However, just as we need to treat ourselves graciously as we try to change eating habits, we need to treat ourselves graciously on those days when we resist our usual forms of exercise. Perhaps we don't feel well and need to take a break from exercise while we recover from a cold, flu, etc. When the weather is too extreme for exercising outside, we can consider other ways to move our bodies without getting too hot, cold or wet, like walking in a mall, yoga, dancing, playing ping pong or just doing household activities like vacuuming or rearranging furniture. I used to run daily, because I wanted the most exercise in the least time, when I ran my own business. After I retired from that business, I noticed more and more leg/hip pains when I ran. So I started walking. Eventually I prevented the pain by wearing custom made orthotics in my shoes. However, I never resumed running, because I enjoy feeding wild birds and squirrels as I walk around our local lake. Rather than take my car for short errands, I walk to shopping malls, grocery stores, doctor appointments, libraries and, of course, to have quiet time to think and process my feelings. I also do some daily yoga and strengthening exercises to cope with gastrointestinal pain from food allergy reactions and intestinal infections, rather than using drugs to reduce that pain. Above all, I sleep better and just feel better when I move my body daily.SUE >> My sister and I have had a few conversations the past few weeks about making exercise a habit. The diet mentality can go with exercise as well, like when I reach a certain weight, I will be finished. But the truth is, I should never be "finished" exercising! It is a healthy habit, and it's important for a lifetime, not just until a certain weight. My sister is one of those rare people who is still a true intuitive eater in adulthood, and she is at a healthy weight, but she struggles with making exercise a habit just like I do.> > We've decided to think of exercise like brushing our teeth. There are days I'd rather not brush my teeth (I'm tired, I don't want to spend the two minutes, I just want to go to bed.) But I would NEVER not brush my teeth. That thought would never be bigger than the compulsion of habit. > > Conversely, there are days it feels great to brush my teeth. When I crave the nice clean feeling. Or when I have a cold, and it feels like a massage to the sinuses. But I would never expect it to feel that wonderful each time.> > Theoretically, I would love to have such an active life that I had no need to exercise on purpose. But in this day and age, I'm not walking to the well and pumping water, or washing laundry in the river, or whatever. And I'm a teacher, which is more active than some jobs, but it's not cardio. So the reality is, I just need to make it a habit to go to the gym. Or go for a walk or a run. Or do a workout video or whatever. Just do something almost every day, until it's completely ingrained. It's not a big emotional thing, it's not a big struggle, it's just a daily thing to take care of myself. > > At least, that's what I'm aiming for.>

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