Building a healthy relationship with exercise is a vital part of the journey to healing your relationship with food. It’s about transforming something that used to feel like punishment into an activity you genuinely enjoy. The key is to separate working out from body aesthetics and acknowledge all the benefits of movement.

Exercise is like a magical mood booster for your brain! Seriously, when you get your body moving, your brain releases all these happy chemicals like endorphins that make you feel like a rock star. It’s like a natural stress-buster and anxiety tamer. Plus, it helps you catch some quality ZZZs at night, so you’re not tossing and turning with a gazillion thoughts in your head. So, remember, exercise isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling awesome in your mind too!

5 Steps to A Healthy Relationship with Exercise

If you’ve ever experienced the dread of workouts as a means to shed calories, but want to transition to a place where exercise feels like a privilege, here are five steps to kickstart your journey to a healthier relationship with movement:

01. Redefine Exercise To Build A Healthy Relationship With Exercise

Let’s try an experiment – replace the word ‘exercise’ with ‘movement’ in your vocabulary. Suddenly, it feels liberating, joyful, and flexible. Movement encompasses anything from a leisurely stroll to an invigorating dance session. The switch can make all the difference in building a healthy relationship with exercise.

What if, instead of ‘exercise,’ you said ‘movement’? Could it ease the pressure and make the experience more enjoyable? You won’t know until you try!

02. Try New Things

Do you believe that sweating is the only sign of a productive workout? It’s time to break free from that notion. Perhaps it’s not movement that you dislike, but the specific exercises you’ve been forcing yourself to do. Give new activities a chance and see how it transforms your perspective.

What if you ventured beyond your comfort zone and explored different forms of movement? Could this lead to genuinely looking forward to your exercise routine? You won’t know until you try!

03. Ditch The Counters (For At Least A Bit)

Have you ever considered that constant monitoring might be taking the joy out of movement? Taking a break from fitness trackers and counting steps can help you focus on how your body feels, rather than chasing numbers.

What if you let go of the counters, even just temporarily, and allowed yourself to move for the sheer pleasure of it? Could this help you build a healthier relationship with exercise? You won’t know until you try!

04. Focus On How You Want To Feel

Instead of setting weight-focused goals, shift your perspective. Define your exercise routine by how you want to feel. Connect your movement with your desired emotions.

If you focus on feeling strong, alive, energized, or relaxed, could it transform your experience with movement and make it more enjoyable? You won’t know until you try.

05. Stack Movement With Body Appreciation

You don’t need to adore every inch of your body to appreciate it. Practice gratitude for your body by acknowledging its capabilities and strengths. Over time, this practice becomes second nature, making it easier to manage negative body image days.

What if you concluded your movement with a moment of body appreciation? Could this be the key to building a better relationship with your body and exercise? You won’t know until you try!

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A post shared by Ryann, LPC | Binge Eating Therapist (@itsryannnicole)

Building a healthy relationship with exercise begins with a shift in mindset. Embrace movement as a form of self-care, something you get to do, and as a way to honor your body. This transformation can make your exercise routine an enjoyable part of your day, leading to a more positive and healthier relationship with movement. It’s time to rediscover the joy in exercise and celebrate the strength and vitality it brings to your life. Give it a try, and see the transformation for yourself!

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