The Habit of Movement
Exercise is one of the best ways we can unburden our body from the everyday stress response.
Working out regularly has been shown to have all kinds of benefits for our physical bodies, emotional health and overall longevity. No matter what kind of exercise you choose, I wanted to talk about some ways to make getting into the movement habit a little easier.
Getting into a fitness routine, like anything else, is harder when you’re getting started. You don’t know what you’re missing. Your body doesn’t crave movement and the emotional boosts and releases that come with your workout. I get it. There are factors like scheduling and child care and the actual workout… but the fewer decisions you can give yourself in the moment, the better off you’ll be.
Get Started with Success
Schedule in your workouts as a non-negotiable is necessary as you build the habit.
Having a space that is clear and organized so you can workout helps too.
Get some cute workout clothes that you feel good in and get fitted for the right sneakers so you feel supported and secure!
What about the part of me that just doesn’t want to? Let’s talk about using our aromatherapy tools here.
Natural Fitness Supports
I love to use oils to help pattern-interrupt any nonsense excuses I start producing…the sense of smell is the only one that goes straight to the limbic system and bypasses other parts of the brain - so before you start coming up with reasons why you can’t but you should yada yada yada... those molecules are hitting your brain to say LET’S GO!
Peppermint oil, the blend R.C., and the Breathe Again Roll-On from Young Living are three of my favorites that help me before and during a workout. They’re all fresh and zingy and encourage good breathing.
Peppermint has actually been shown to have some great benefits on the body during strenuous exercises, increasing flow of oxygen as well as stamina.
RC and Breathe Again are great in the diffuser or just to directly inhale from the palms. You can do the same with peppermint, or you could also drop some in a glass of water, as they did in the research study I’m referencing (Peppermint Vitality is so versatile for flavoring food and drink, and as a dietary supplement).
En-R-Gee is a blend I really enjoy over my adrenal glands (mid/upper back) that is the perfect thing to help me power through my workouts.
And I cannot NOT mention AminoWise… this is my favorite product EVER for muscle recovery. It is a delicious berry lemonade powder that replenishes, hydrates and removes lactic acid build-up so being SORE is one less thing you have to worry about! We order 1-2 of these every month because both my husband and I drink it pretty much every time we exercise.
Working out is as much about the mental work as the physical work. It is the work we do when we discipline ourselves to show up for things that are difficult… Things that we have to sit in amidst many other responsibilities in our day. And the tenacity that comes with sticking through a difficult set or even just the completion of the activity.
On a walk with the boys in our neighborhood.
Make It Matter
Write down some reasons that getting your workouts in is important to you, how this helps or benefits you… jot them down after your workout when you have those endorphins flowing! Share them with the people in your family so they know how important this is to you.
Showing up for exercise is great for the body… but it also takes logistical planning, and mental fortitude to build the habit -- these challenges are opportunities for us to grow, to try new strategies, to bring in some fresh tools and to set priorities that really matter. All while you strengthen and support your body and mind! Make it happen!