Heidi Rae Coaching - Why Do We Exercise

Beauties!!

I am SOO happy to report that my hot flashes are all but gonzo. The volcano seems to be under control. I am also happy to report that I am sleeping better. I am still having some pretty significant muscle and joint aches, but am dealing with those. Exercise, Epson Salt baths nightly, stretching, and wintergreen rub nightly.

Speaking of exercise:

Do you exercise to punish yourself, to burn the extra calories you had with your snack, or to reward your body??

I'm genuinely curious!

I can honestly say that I exercise to stay sane. I also exercise to reward my body, to thank my body for sitting all day! I thank my body for lifting, bending, sitting for hours on end... for moving, for being connected to my brain... for protecting me, for functioning!

I really try to be mindful and present while I am moving my body. I internally thank every single body part while I move - my feet as they step, my ankles and knees for bending, my hips for holding it all together, my arms for swaying, my hands for holding on, my ribs for allowing my lungs to expand, my lungs for expanding, my veins and arteries for taking my blood and oxygen throughout my entire body, my skin for protecting all of it. my cellulite for holding that fat that keeps me warm!!

There was a time when I didn't do this (until I was paralyzed). I would exercise to punish myself for eating too much. I would exercise to not be fat, or to be less fat. I would exercise to try to make myself prettier or less ugly. Then I realized our bodies are freaking amazing!! They put up with what we put in them (that includes thoughts).

I feel that the more self aware I am, the better I am at thanking my body and my mind. The more I do that, the more I am sincerely grateful for my body and my mind.

XOXOXO