Struggling with Over-Exercising?

why i prefer the word “movement”, over "exercise."

I continue to learn how powerful language can be, and how our intentions behind our actions can impact our day to day lives.

As someone who used to struggle with over-exercising, I'm acutely aware of how easily it is to slip back into the "more is better" mindset IF I'm not aware of my intentions + how I'm consciously choosing to move my body.

>>your intentions behind WHY and WHAT you're doing for movement, (or anything) matters.<<

Do me a favour, ask yourself, what forms of movement bring me joy? How do I want to feel after moving my body? (energized, strong, confident).

Maybe some days that looks like gardening and cleaning the house, and other days it's a kettle bell workout and a walk to the grocery store. There's no right or wrong, as long as it's coming from a place of love and respect for your body!

If you've struggled with an eating disorder, chasing unrealistic body goals, or, maybe you're noticing that you're becoming more obsessed with getting in a certain amount/type of "exercise." First of all, I see you, and I want you to know that you’re not alone.

it's really easy to feel like you have to "crush it" in the gym 5-6 days a week or it’s not enough.

To me, the word "exercise" represents chasing unrealistic body goals. It reminds me of missing out on life because I was so focused on using exercise to look a certain way. I felt like the more I did in the gym, and the harder I pushed myself, I could eat what I wanted, without guilt. If that hits home for you, it might be time to address your relationship with exercise and food, by no means should you ever feel like you have to “earn your food.”

To me, the word "exercise" represents hours spent in the gym, trying to manipulate the way I looked through countless hours of intense workouts, only to feel more unhappy with what I saw in the mirror. Not to mention exhausted, physically and mentally. I would compare myself to women on the internet and in the gym, like somehow, if I beat myself up enough, I would suddenly get the abs and finally be happy…

I didn't realize I had an unhealthy relationship with exercise until I had lost my period for years, endured countless injuries, constantly felt exhausted, had insatiable hunger episodes, on-going gut and skin issues, and missed out a lot of my social life. Yep, it took all of that for me to look inward and ask myself, what the hell is this all for?

I finally came to the point where I had had enough. How could I continue to do this to my body? My amazing, strong, and resilient body. I had to reframe the way I viewed "exercise," and get very clear on my intentions behind why and how I would choose to move my body going forward.

The funny thing is, now that I don't spend 2+ hours in the gym 6 days a week, I actually get in more movement overall, why? Because I have more time, energy, and a zest for life that I didn't have before.

Today, I still love going to the gym as much as the next meat head or gym rat (I mean that in the nicest and jokingly way possible--I identify as one;)). But, I'm very aware of when I'm on the verge of pushing my body for reasons that aren't in alignment with my intentions for overall health and wellness. When I hear those old thoughts creep in, and trust me, they do, I pause and have a little conversation with myself, “How do I want to feel after this?” and, “Am I still enjoying this?”

A slow walk in the woods, cleaning my condo, or throwing the football around all counts as movement. These are things I would've NEVER considered to be movement when I was deep in the trenches of over-exercising. I had an all-or-nothing mentality, this spilled over into food too. I can honestly say that I enjoy life so much more now, that I’m not slaving away in the gym trying to achieve an unrealistic body standard that society deems as “superior.”

If you are battling with over-exercising, obsessively worrying about when you're going to workout, do yourself a favour, give yourself permission to rest. Try adding some joyful movement into your life when you feel ready, and connected with your intentions behind what you enjoy, and how you want to feel.

I'd love to connect with you. I want to support you the best way I can.