Why Movement is Better Than Exercise
Ladies, let me tell you something. When it comes to increasing my heart rate to the point of near heart attack, I have done it all. Intense boot camps, personal training, crossfit, you friggin’ name it!
I always thought I had to push myself to the point of near exhaustion or near injury. I honestly remember one time during a grueling crossfit workout, we were executing box jumps & ended up doing a scorpion. Don’t know what the scorpion is? Picture 6ft me landing my actual front box on the edge of the wooden box with my legs over my head. I can still feel the pain in my body today.
It wasn’t until my hospital stint towards the end of 2022 that I was introduced to the concept of movement as opposed to exercise. I was shocked I hadn’t thought of the concept before. Forget about overexerting myself at the gym, running my poor knees on the treadmill or doing endless burpees. If I wanted to feel good in my skin, be energized, and improve my overall health, movement was where it's at!
In this blog post, I'm going to convince you why movement beats exercise any day, and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine. Get ready to ditch the gym membership you never use & grab your dancing shoes, because movement is about to change your life!
Exercise can be intimidating & overwhelming, especially if you're just starting out. The thought of doing push-ups (even the knee ones) or running a 5K may make you want to crawl back under the covers. Movement, on the other hand, is something we do naturally every day. Walking, dancing, stretching & even cleaning your house are all forms of movement. You don't need fancy-schmancy equipment or $400 Lulu Lemon tights to move your body, which makes it accessible to everyone, regardless of your age, your shape, or your fitness level.
Rigorous exercise is boring & repetitive. I don’t know about you but doing the same workout routine over & over again is draining & uninspiring. Movement, on the other hand, can be a whole lot of fun. You get to try new activities like salsa dancing (I’ve always wanted to give it a go!) pilates, yoga or hiking, which not only challenge your body but also add a lil’ bit of adventure & excitement to your life. When you find something, you love, you’re more likely to stick with it, which is the key to long-term health benefits.
For me, I have found my love of movement through yoga. At first, I felt so intimidated to give yoga a try. I imagined a room full of hot, skinny, spiritually woke women in those previously mentioned Lulu Lemon pants, sweat free & smelling like strawberry fields. But I am glad I put my ego aside & found a studio with incredible teachers. It’s been one of the longest standing memberships I’ve paid for.
I can’t tell you how much clarity, gratitude & appreciation yoga has gifted me in some of those hour-long sessions. Movement improves your overall health & wellbeing. Whereas exercise is often associated with weight loss & physical fitness, but movement has a range of benefits that go beyond the scale.
Studies have shown that regular movement can improve your mood, reduce stress & anxiety, boost your immune system & lower your risk of diseases like heart disease & diabetes. Movement also promotes better sleep, digestion & brain function, which are essential for overall health & wellbeing. And yes, whilst exercise can improve those same areas, I must say it feels mighty good to still be able to use my legs the next day after a yoga session. So, yes my oddy body babes, moving your body can be just as good for you as hitting the gym!
Another movement benefit I hear you ask. Movement fits into your busy life. Time is often the biggest obstacle to exercise for many of us. We have work, family, & (when possible) a social life! That leaves little room for a full-blown workout routine. But movement can be done anytime, anywhere & for any length of time. You can take a 10-minute dance break in your home office, walk to Woolies instead of driving, or stretch while watching TV. Incorporating movement into your daily routine can be a simple & easy-peasy way to improve your health & wellbeing without adding extra stress to your already busy life. Plus movement can be free! You may not necessarily need to pay someone to show you how to move that sexy body of yours, nor does that payment come with the loudest techno-dance music at 6am whilst some one yells ‘JUST 10 MORE LEFT, YOU CAN DO IT! DON’T GIVE UP NOW! FASTER! STRONGER!’
If you’re keen to know how the fitness industry can inadvertently make you feel worse about yourself and gets you further from your goals you can listen to the episode ‘Sweating the Wrong Stuff’ with Movement Specialist, Janis Isaman on my podcast ‘Weight, There’s More!’
One of the greatest benefits of movement over exercise is that it's sustainable & adaptable. You don't have to commit to a rigid workout schedule or stick to a specific routine to reap the benefits of movement. You can mix it up, baby! Match different activities depending on your mood, energy level & available time. Plus, since movement is natural & accessible, you can always find ways to adapt it to your fitness level & needs. Whether you're recovering from an cough scorpion cough injury, pregnant, or just starting out on your wellness journey, movement is a flexible & forgiving way to take care of your body & mind.
So, there you have it, ma’ ladies. Movement is where it's at! Whether you're looking to improve your health, have fun, or simply feel good in your skin, moving your body is the key to success. So, go ahead, put on your favorite tunes, and dance like nobody's watching.
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