How to Build a Positive Relationship With Movement
Now that summer is in full swing, we are too often bombarded with messaging from diet culture about “summer bodies” and all of the ways we “should” be moving our bodies to get those results.
UGH!!
This all too often leads us to not only feel guilt and shame about our bodies, but about movement as well. Below are some tips to ditch the idea that the purpose of movement is to change our bodies and instead reclaim it as a way to celebrate our bodies!
Try shifting from using the term “exercise”, to using “movement” instead.
Many of us have a complicated relationship with the term “exercise.” It’s been claimed by diet culture, and too often, is used as a way to compensate for something we ate or as a way to punish our bodies. The terms “movement” can help us to reclaim activities that nourish and bring joy to our bodies.
Find different types of movement you ACTUALLY enjoy doing.
This is SO IMPORTANT. Too often in diet culture and the media, we see the glorification of certain types of movement, usually movement that is high intensity. If this type of movement feels nurturing and good to your body, no problem, and if it doesn’t? Also no problem! Explore movement that feels good and joyful for YOU and YOUR BODY, like stretching, yoga, dancing, hiking, riding a bike, walking your dog, swimming…there are no wrong answers!
Get in touch with how your body wants to feel.
Diet culture tells us we have to stay consistent with how and when we move our bodies. However, it does not take into consideration that we are all humans, and our body will crave different things daily, just like it does with food!
You may check in with your body one day and notice you are craving some time outside, and choose to go for a walk.
Or maybe you check in, and notice some pain, and decide gentle stretching is exactly the type of joyful movement your body needs.
You might also check in and notice your body is tired and asking you to rest! When we start to notice what our bodies are craving, we can identify joyful forms of movement (or rest!) to meet those needs.
Ditch the belief that we need to move to compensate for things we have eaten.
Our bodies work hard to support us daily! We need food for our bodies and their many internal systems to function, regardless of if we have moved or not.
Say goodbye to the “shoulds.”
We’ve all been there. You decide to go for a run, and all of the sudden, you’re a “runner” and “should” go for a run every day. Or you are feeling guilty about something you ate and “should work it off.”
These beliefs can lead to a strained relationship with movement that is full of guilt, shame and dread. If you notice “should” entering the picture when you think about movement, it’s normally a sign that we need to reevaluate our relationship with movement, our bodies and the movement we are engaging in.
As an eating disorder therapist in Pennsylvania, I know how hard it can be to reclaim your relationship with movement.
Disordered eating and eating disorders can make it difficult to trust your body and connect with it in ways that are gentle and honoring of its needs.
If you’re looking for eating disorder therapy near me, I’m glad you found us. I would be honored to support you as you reclaim your relationship with your mind, body and food.
🧡,
Reclaim Therapy is an eating disorder and trauma therapy practice in Horsham, PA.
We provide specialized, trauma focused treatment for eating disorders, body image concerns, PTSD and CPTSD. Our team of eating disorder therapist in Pennsylvania are passionate about helping people reclaim their relationships with themselves and leave diet culture and shame behind. We’d love to support you in your recovery journey. Click below to schedule a free consultation to learn more about us, our work, and how we can support you.