Why do you exercise? Reasons to move your body beyond weight loss

If you are new to exercise or returning to exercise, it is important to find your WHY. A lot of resources can help with goal setting but may of them focus on aesthetic and number based goals. I am not mad at you if you workout because you want to build a dump truck ass that turns heads. Like...why would I be mad at that?! I do think it is important to remember there are reasons to exercise that have nothing to do with how you look. So how do you find your “why” when you are moving away from diet culture and looking to move your body for other reasons.

I asked my members WHY they exercise and they came through with some super thoughtful responses.

More confidence made me smile because I definitely feel more confident when I love my exercise routine. Whether it’s a neighborhood power walk, a boxing class, or my favorite barre, moving and being in my body makes me feel strong and connected. Confidence is definitely an inside job. I have been many shapes and sizes and I have experienced varying amounts of confidence through it all. Working out can help you get to know your body, feel in touch with your capabilities, and build confidence.

Better sleep is something that a lot of folks in my fitness membership said. And I can absolutely get behind this because it is 1) based in science and 2) something we could probably all use a bit more of. One reason exercise helps with sleep is that it tires out your body, duh! But it is not just about your legs being tired from squats. Exercise can help regulate your hormones and make it easier for you to fall asleep. Cortisol is one of the key players here and it fluctuates throughout the day. Working out in the morning can actually help balance the cortisol in your body and increase natural endorphins. However, some people may find that more intense workouts at night actually make sleeping more difficult. It really depends on the person.

“Endorphins make you happy, happy people don’t shoot their husbands” - Elle Woods, Legally Blonde

Mental Health was a HUGE why for people on social media and in my membership. Almost everyone agreed that this was an important aspect of their exercise routine. I am an anxious person and even when I worked at a desk job, I would get up and move around because my body just couldn’t contain all my nervous energy. Something as simple as a few deep breaths and a few seated stretches can shift the energy in your body and support your mental health.

This is another examples of hormones at play. Just like with sleep regulation, hormones play a huge role in mental health. For folks experiencing depression, exercise can impact your brain to create feelings of wellbeing and help break through negative cycles. Exercising when you are feeling anxious can help you focus on your breath and your body instead of thought loops and worry. I do not believe that EXERCISE is a substitute for other mental health tools such as therapy and medication. I do believe it can be a helpful addition for people looking to move.

I am coming up on 1 year of running my membership. I am so proud of that space. The exercises are scalable, the community is hilarious and supportive, and live + recorded classes helps to accommodate people with different schedules. If you want to join my membership, you can check out my FAQ post to learn more or just join my membership and be part of this community.