In collaboration with Tempur.
Exercise, I’ve had a funny old relationship with it. I was a ‘work hard or go home‘ kind of girl, always willing myself to push harder or go faster because I thought that was the key to true health and happiness. Working out 6 days a week wasn’t unusual and the endless guilt trips that I had missed a workout even when I was ill and physically incapable were common.
I’ve documented a lot over the years about my earlier disordered relationship with food and exercise and happy to say that I’ve turned a massive corner in doing right by my body and using exercise as a way to nourish my mental health and physical fitness and not as a form of punishment. Today I wanted to share some of the mindset shifts and habits that have helped me on this journey in recent years that have led me to have a happier relationship with exercise and allowed me to enjoy it more.
Moving for pleasure and for my health
As mentioned above, I used to push my body to extremes as a form of punishment, particularly after a night of indulgences or too many chocolates. Exercise was a way to burn off those excess calories the next day that I’d consumed to help balance things out – such a damaging mindset to own! These days, moving my body comes from a place of love and pleasure. I pay no attention to the latest fitness fads and concentrate on what I enjoy because life is far too short to be doing something that you hate. Plus, when something brings you enjoyment you’re more likely to do it more, which is what I’ve found. I truly love the uplifting effect that it has on my mental health, which makes me want to do it more because its fun.
Mix things up and try new things
Even though I do enjoy the gym, I’m conscious of the fact that I tend to just stick to gym workouts week in and week out because it’s the easiest option. Including a variety of different exercises in my weekly routine like gentle walking, Pilates, yoga along with the gym workouts really helps to mix things up and keep me interested.
Treat my body once a week
Painting my nails feels like such a treat these days, considering that this is something that I used to do regularly, I think I’ve painted my nails a couple of times since having Aiden. I’m very much into self-care practices and looking after yourself for the sake of looking after others. I’m pledging to take some time for myself once a month to indulge my body, whether it be painting my nails, having a haircut (because annual haircuts have really become a thing in my life!) or a face mask. Going for more massages is also high up on my list to relieve my body of any niggles or aches. I’ve definitely felt the restorative benefits after having a massage in the past and really want to make sure I book a couple in this year – plus who doesn’t love a bit of pampering.
Also, I’m going to make more of the opportunity to get an early night, such a simple thing, but so powerful for our wellbeing and our recovery after exercise. The material on a Tempur mattress is designed to support and offer you the optimal comfort each night to aid better sleep. It’s so often overlooked, but I always feel better after getting a decent 6-8 hour snooze and feel more energised when working out.
A rest can be just as good as a workout
The mental battles I put myself through when I missed a workout were draining. If your body needs to rest, it needs to rest and recover, however, at the time I thought the best option was to push through the tiredness and carry on as normal. Not only does this risk potentially injury, but it can also lead to burnout. Listening to my body and honouring its needs has been a revolutionary mindset shift for me because in most cases a rest can be as good as a workout, it’s restorative and a massive dose fo self care.
Something is better than nothing
This one has been a slow burner for me, but now it’s something that I hold in high regard. In the past, a workout had to be 1 hour or more or it wasn’t really a workout. However, since having a baby when time is really not your own anymore, I’m of the mindset that a 10-minute yoga sequence is more than good enough. More so, now that I’m focused on how fantastic I feel after I’ve done some exercise rather than trying to get those 6-pack abs. Life really does get in the way and something really is better than nothing at all.
What mistakes did you use to make concerning exercise? Are there any significant mindset shifts around exercise that have helped you enjoy it more?
*This post was commissioned by Tempur, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that allow me to do what I love, bringing you wellness content and recipes to help you find your version of balance
I have a love hate relationship with exercise. I’ve been trying to get in to running but have decided walking is better / nicer for me. Thank you for the tips!
Yes, so much better to stick to what you love than force yourself to do something you hate.
These are some great tips, I totally agree with the a little is better than nothing, I think sometimes people forget that you need to work exercise up and not just go go go.
It’s so better to take those baby steps instead of diving right in.
You have no idea how happy I was to read that rest can be just as good as exercise 😉 😉
This made me laugh, but it’s so very true. ?
I like the idea of ‘moving for pleasure rather than punishment’. l think that it is easier to exercise doing exercises that you enjoy as opposed to punishing yourself for not working out. For example I love to dance but I am not a fan of running so I would much rather dance!
Dancing is a wonderful and fun way to move your body. I love a boogie round the kitchen.
I agree something is better than nothing, which is more than often. I like to give myself a body treat once a week also
Thanks for commenting. Love that you treat your body too.
I do think variation is something I need to do more of as each week my exercise is very similar x
It can become a bit same sometimes.
I have a very up and down history with exercise. I used to love it (probably to the extreme like you) but after an accident struggled to get going again. I seem to go too hard, aggravate my joint problem then decide not to go for a few months. this year I’m trying to get back in to it and accept that I have to take it easier now. I love that you’re adding self care to your wellbeing shift too.
I love the shift that you’ve made regarding your fitness routine. Slow and gentle is just as good, if not better than going hard.
I like the idea of treating myself once a week as well as working out.. it makes it all seem more achievable because there’s a nice treat in there too!
So nice to have something to look forward to at the end.
I love this so much – finding balance is definitely key! 🙂 I never used to enjoy exercise, then I got sick and couldn’t exercise..and now I’m obsessed with moving my body and keeping fit! I love to push my limits, but I also try to make sure I take rest days and listen to what my body’s telling me! xx
I really admire your passion for movement and the respect that you have for your body when it’s tired.
I love how you pointed out that it is better to have done something than nothing. Very true when talking about reaching goals. Every little step counts as long as they are moving forward!
Great reminder that’s it’s all about those baby steps. ?
Yes to doing something being better than nothing! Its taken me ages to accept that even if I don’t get time for a swim that I can fit in a short walk instead.
I was exactly the same, but a lovely walk is just as good.
The rest is so important. I remember when I started spinning I went everyday and ended up utterly broken. Although, with work being so hell, I’m definitely having far too many “rest” days right now.
C x
Sometimes a longer period of rest is exactly what we need.
I learned the hard way that when my body says rest I rest as I was always pushing myself to the brink of exhaustion so pleased to see this gentle reminder here
Thank you. I’m so happy that you’re being much kinder to your body now.
It’s really important to mix up the gym workouts as you do get bored really easy otherwise. I love spin and pump classes but my gym does combat classes that I really want to try!
I haven’t been to a spin class for years, so need to change that. Thanks for the reminder.
I make the same mistake of doing so much and feeling guilty if I don’t manage to do it one time. I am very much also of the mindset that something is better than nothing
Definitely a kinder mindset to adopt.
I used to do workouts that I thought I should do, and now I just do what I enjoy and I am so much happier for it.
So much better that way! ?
Putting yourself into a negative mindset of self punishment and guilt is never a good thing and we’re glad you aren’t doing this anymore. We find that incorporating exercise into our daily life is a good thing and can be simple like going out on long walks and taking time to chill as a family x
Thank you! You’re right family time is very important.
I have such a love/hate relationship with exercise sometimes, its horrible. This post was definitely something I needed to read! xo
I do think it is very important to vary what you do as it can be so easy to get bored and then give up as you can’t be bothered anymore.
I am not so much of a fast paced exercise girl, more swimming and walking. SInce getting a puppy, It has definitely made me have to more around more, which is great!
yes i totally agree with the rest! ive never really rested properly and was always prone it injury. lesson learnt!
I love swimming and whilst last year I was able to go every morning to the gym and spent at least half an hour in the pool, I can’t find the motivation this year. It might be the weather as well, it’s too cold to wake up early and go out…