Since its inception in the 1950s, the fitness industry has instilled in us the belief that exercise is solely for one purpose: to become as lean, fit, and therefore more desirable as possible. In the 1980s, Jane Fonda’s aerobics classes taught us that the body was a project that needed constant work. Changing attitudes that have been built up over decades can be very difficult.
However, the true power of exercise has nothing to do with appearance. They give us so much more, improving our mental and emotional state. Regular exercise can be a tool for true self-care, helping us develop a sense of purpose and strength that extends beyond just our muscles.
By playing sports, we receive a whole stream of hormones that ensure our well-being. Physical activity increases dopamine levels, which makes us happier and relieves stress. Workout facilitate symptoms of anxiety and depression and even give give us a sense of purpose and hope for the future.
But here’s the catch: motivation. If we exercise because we feel like we should, guilt and pressure interfere with the brain’s reward system and dull the positive effects. Instead, training can increase shame, self-judgment, and fear. This is why it is important to improve your relationship with sports. This can be done in the following ways.
1. Set up your social media feed
Looking through fitness accounts where everyone is thin and fit, even the most confident people can begin to doubt their figure. Although in fact it is not the body that needs to be changed, but the news feed.
The first step is to unfollow bloggers who directly or indirectly make you think that you need to become thin in order to be happy. Instead, find those who motivate you to accept and love yourself for who you are.
Social media can be very toxic, but only if you let it be. Add pages to your feed that showcase body diversity, counteract diet culture, and challenge the idea that exercise is primarily about looking a certain way. This way you will begin to gradually rebuild your value system related to sports.
2. Find something you like
It may be a legacy of 1980s fitness culture and its “hard to get a fish out of a pond” mentality, but many still believe that exercise without suffering doesn’t count. But this punitive approach negates any benefits of physical activity, and in fact, the more you enjoy a workout, the more likely you are to do it again.
If you haven’t yet found an activity that brings you joy, try anything that sparks your interest: trampolining, hiking, yoga, powerlifting. The key is to stay curious and accept that you may try a lot of things before you find something you truly love. Many people often think that there is something wrong with them because they do not enjoy sports. Although the whole point is that certain workouts simply do not suit them.
You can look at the search from the other side. Think about what you need and lack in different areas of your life, and then choose physical activity that meets your needs. For example, if you want to interact more with people, start attending group training sessions. If you strive for peace and harmony, pay attention to yoga.
Take note 😊
3. Ask questions at the end of a new workout.
Physical activity that you enjoy doesn’t have to be easy and gentle, and you don’t have to enjoy every minute of it. We often get more satisfaction from workouts that challenge our abilities and motivate us to overcome fears and obstacles.
When you stop associating exercise with calories to burn or body parts to change, it will be easier to understand how beneficial and meaningful certain exercises are for you. To find out if a particular workout is right for you, ask yourself three questions at the end:
- Do I feel better?
- Do I look more positively at the world around me or towards the future?
- Do I like my place in the world?
If you answered “yes” to at least two questions, you are on the right track.
4. Exercise for the benefit of others
If you want to add value to your workouts, think about the positive things you can do while being active. Research provethat when we volunteer to help others, it improves our mental health and makes us happier. For example, invite a friend for a walk in the forest and collect trash at the same time, or take part in a charity marathon.
5. Give training a special meaning
When you treat exercise as a chore, you miss the opportunity to get more from it than just a toned body. For example, the opportunity to satisfy your need to pay attention exclusively to yourself and focus on your thoughts. This is especially important for young mothers who spend a lot of time with their children and train only to regain their previous shape. Start viewing exercise as a way to take care of yourself and be yourself, rather than playing the role of a parent, partner or employee.
6. Create a sense of belonging
Many people are familiar with the situation when you come to a new gym and feel terribly awkward because of your body size, age, or the pattern of your leggings. It’s even worse if it seems like everyone around you is looking past you and avoiding any contact.
If you find a place where you are welcome and where you feel comfortable, help other people feel the same. When you see someone standing alone in the corner, go over and start a conversation. This simple trick will create an environment where everyone can enjoy exercising.
Find out more 🧐
