With the current pandemic a lot of coping skills are surfacing. We wanted to talk specifically about how movement and exercise can be beneficial for many, however others may struggle to abuse this tool. Given both our personal histories with exercise abuse we wanted to discuss the nuances of our relationship with movement, how it’s evolved, & things we’ve learned. Friendly disclaimer - if you find this topic triggering please do what you need to do to take care of yourself.
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ENGRIDInstagram: @livengproof Liveng Proof Podcast Website
GEORGIEInstagram: @georgiemorley The Chasing Joy Podcast Website
IN THIS EPISODE :
The messages we received growing up about exercise, sports, and movement
Engrid: Movement is non-negotiable, it’s about performance, improvement, & achievement. It’s your legacy.
Georgie: “You're not athletic... but you still have to participate even if you hate this and are not good at it”
Both of us not realizing you were allowed to have fun in the way you move
Navigating the notion of “you’ll never regret a workout”
Societal Messaging (diet culture)
Turning to exercise as a way of coping with difficult emotions that I didn’t have tools for navigating
The exhaustion it achieved helped numb out emotions/feelings that felt too overwhelming.
It felt like a compulsive obligation (I didn’t feel “okay” unless I exercised)
Exercise as punishment (“cost of entry” mentality)
Fitness as an identity
Exercise as a way to prove ourselves to others
The dread and anxiety we both associated with exercise
Learned to equate and working out with this idea of “earning my keep”
Earning your right to be here
Reminding you, you always have permission to take a break
You deserve to eat, independent of how much you move
When exercise comes from a place to “fill a void”/obligation vs. choosing to do a workout because it sounds fun
Learning to recognize this conditioning and getting curious about the compulsive behavior → asking questions:
- What are you trying to avoid feeling?
- What do you really need right now? (inner child)
- How do I want to move right now?
- When does movement/exercise serve me?
- How does this movement ultimately make me feel?
Learning to hear what my body is telling me, what it’s asking for.
It can be challenging to heal using the same modalities we used to harm.
Choosing the next best option - baby steps to reducing exercise duration, intensity etc.
Movement as an empowerment tool independent of aesthetics
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE - WE THINK YOU’LL ALSO LIKE:
Georgie’s post: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QRghSJoTO/?igshid=1uucwbdxi9k1x
A related solo podcast episode with Engrid: Learning How We Have Value, Identity, Labels, & Expectations
Nourishing Women’s Podcast
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Excerpts from bmj.com (British Medical Journal)
Pilates Instructor: @karaduvalpilates Forme Barre Nantucket
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