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3 Reasons NOT to Exercise

Enough already. It’s time for some new ideas.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Updated 11/2020

How many of us feel like we’re in detention with a really clueless supervisor when (unqualified) people come at us with their opinions on what to eat and how to take care of ourselves?

Let’s reframe why we exercise and get to the good stuff. If you ever exercised for any of these reasons, this is for you. 🙂

  1. Exercising to get a different body. There is no return line. No trade in. We get what we get. Exercise to (actually) get taller? No. Exercise to change from an apple to a pear or vice versa? No. Exercise to get a thigh gap (Remember that? Sigh). No. Exercise isn’t for changing your body. It’s to maximize the one you have. Think of it like this: condo vs. townhome vs. single family. They all have their pros and cons. But they are different. Whichever one you have, take care of it.
  2. Exercising to fix poor nutrition. Boo. Food and fitness go together like peanut butter and jelly. Or avocado and toast. Or maybe bacon and eggs. (smile) Food is our fuel. You wouldn’t put diesel in your unleaded tank.  You wouldn’t (hopefully) skip oil changes or other important care for the vehicle. It’s like that. We exercise to maximize performance after we put the right fuel into our tank. Enjoy your food choices. Eat every day foods every day, and party foods at the party.
  3. Exercising because we have to. Ugh. Pretty much no one likes to be “should-ed”. Move your body because it feels good. Do what you like. I garden in the summer, walk outside when weather allows, and hop on the treadmill when weather is bad.  All of these provide think time about work or whatever may be on your mind. Think about the times you weren’t sitting or laying and liked it. Walking? Dancing? Gardening? Cooking? Swimming? Lifting weights? What? Focus on the good feelings from letting your body do what it can. Celebrate the ability to “do” so you can also enjoy the time you “sit”.

As we continue throughout the year, and make it around again to “resolution season”, consider what you like to do, and do it. Game on.

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Visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov for food and nutrition tips.

By Kim Kirchherr

I am a dietitian working in food and fiber (agriculture) through retail, addressing opportunities to make things better for people and planet.

2 replies on “3 Reasons NOT to Exercise”

I especially appreciate the point about exercising to compensate for bad eating habits. I feel many people don’t see health holistically or as a consistent, in fact, a life-long process. When you arrive at a healthy groove that’s comfortable for you, coupled with the right mind-set, you’re on your way.

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