Movement as Medicine

Last week, I mentioned that I hurt a lot. That isn’t the sole point of the post, though – and I have no intention of making that the focus of my blog. However, pain is a huge part of the reason I love exercise and movement so much. It’s something that I need to incorporate into my life, even when it isn’t all that convenient, so I make the best of it and do things I love.

Sure, I can appreciate that lifting weights makes me feel stronger, that I have the power to build endurance through cardio, and that I can relieve tension and increase flexibility through yoga and foam rolling. However, I especially love that I get a kind of physical reset when I am active. So, even though most of them are fairly obvious, I thought I would share some of my favorite ways to move.

• Yoga

I love Vinyasa yoga the most, and it’s really been too long since I’ve been to a good class. Unfortunately, I’ll be working on a lot of Saturday mornings when my favorite class is held. However, I also love Jillian Michaels’s Yoga Meltdown and Baron Baptiste videos. And sometimes doing a few sun salutations on my own is good, too. 🙂

• Running

Okay, so I’m currently on a bit of a running hiatus after hurting my hip the morning after I got back from school, but I really enjoy zoning out on the trail early in the morning and just running. I’m not fast, but it’s calming for me.

• Circuit workouts

{I’m obviously not a fitness professional; I just move in ways that feel good. I designed this workout and it almost always does.}

Some of my favorites come from Julie and Paige. I like those that combine strength and cardio exercises because I never get bored and (probably more importantly) because cardio breaks prevent my muscles from knotting up. Doing only strength training in a given session doesn’t sit well with my pain issues, but I enjoy it and it’s important, so I mix it up. (And stretch and foam roll afterward!)

• I like ellipticals

When I can’t run (now, for example) and even when I can, ellipticals are easy on my joints and also provide some resistance. And they stretch out my super-tight hamstrings. I know a lot of people hate them, but they’re some of my workout BFFs.

So those are some of my more “exercise-y” favorites. But I have some general movement ones, too, that are serviceable when there isn’t time for a more formal workout.

• Long walks

I like to walk my dog. Sometimes, I also like to walk by myself and listen to podcasts. And sometimes I go to the gym and walk super slowly on the treadmill while reading.

• Chores & errands

When I’m home, I sometimes find myself just sitting around surfing the internet, watching TV, or writing. Much as I enjoy these things, doing too much of them makes me sore. I make an effort to break up my days with errands and chores. Productivity and pian management all in one!

• Dance parties

{Source}

 I’m by no means a good dancer, but when I feel really stressed or happy or antsy (so pretty much any time) I like to turn on music and dance around the house or my room. And occasionally I dance to the music at the mall.

What’s your motivation to stay active?

What’s your favorite way to move?