When we talk about fitness it’s important to recognize that often our relationship to it is very diet culture-y because let’s face it… the fitness industry is very diet culture-y. While there are trainers out there who are NOT so rooted in diet culture such as Tally Rye (who is a wonderful intuitive fitness trainer that we recently had on our WTAF podcast! Click here to listen) but it is not the norm.
Here’s the reality:
We have 3 relationships. Our relationship with food. Our relationship with our body. And our relationship with fitness.
So, let’s dive into our relationship with fitness. I think about past exercise classes i’ve been in and have heard countless trainers say “burn off that pizza you ate last night!” or “burn it to earn it!” And let me tell you, hearing that over and over again it ABSOLUTELY affects our relationship with fitness. We begin to think of it as punishment.
If this has been your experience too, that is okay. Your relationship can be repaired.
Start by journaling about your relationship with fitness. Ask yourself: how did I get here? Do I feel guilty if I miss a workout? Did someone or something influence my relationship in the past? Do I HAVE to wear my activity tracker or else it ‘doesn’t count’? If these are common thoughts for you… that is NOT a positive relationship with fitness.
The easiest tip I can offer is when you are engaging in physical activity, ask yourself: “Do I ENJOY this?” If the answer is no… stop doing it. Right now. Whatever or wherever it is!
I would also suggest writing down the activities you DO enjoy. Is it hiking? Yoga? A walk on the beach? Intensive crossfit class? Lifting weights and blasting Lizzo? Meeting a friend for a fitness class? gentle stretching? The activity that sounds enjoyable to you is where you can start. That is how you can begin to repair the relationship.
Now just like food, sometimes we are not ready to repair this relationship. I have worked with some athletes who have unfortunately entangled their sport and exercise so much that it feels like a strenuous job to them. They were not ready to repair yet. They had to take a break altogether, and that is ok.
Those who come from militant restriction and dieting, working out several hours a day everyday. You may not be ready either, and that is ok.
So if you are feeling like your relationship with fitness is in need of repair, I get it. You can start by recognizing that fitness is deeply rooted in diet culture. Then get curious about your relationship with fitness, how has this been shaped? And then brainstorm activities that you actually enjoy!
The more you get curious about it the more we can change it. And just as we do with our relationship with food, try to come at this from a lens of pure curiosity. No shame or guilt.
And I know this may not be an easy journey. And it can feel like it is taking FOREVER while you are on it. But it is so worth it. That is why it is so important to invest in professionals that have the tools to help you start this journey. Click here and snag a free training and dive into our beginner’s training for all you Intuitive Eating newbies! If you enjoyed this blog, I know you will also take great pleasure in my blog titled: Will I Overeat Forever?
