Stop Working Out...

GO ON VACATION!

by Nicole Byars

I was laying in bed a while back dreaming about what it would be like to stretch my arms at 5:00am with a big smile, pop out of bed with energy, put on my workout clothes, and start my day with a sweaty workout session.

Gosh, what a dream!

The reality…well, it’s different. I don’t pop out of bed and instead I usually begrudgingly walk downstairs, negotiating with myself about whether or not I should get that sweaty workout in.

I have great intentions, but I rarely follow through with my dream vision of what I wish my morning routine looked like (hint: get 30 minutes of movement in before 6:00 am).

Then I got to thinking about the word ‘workout.’ Over the years, I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise, and have struggled with anorexia and overexercising. If I ate too much, I’d workout. Drank too much, workout. Felt heavy, workout.

Working out was, and still can be, aform of punishment for me.

I know many of us may struggle with this. Working out is just another thing we are supposed to do and often the first thing that falls to the wayside when life gets in the way. We can easily convince ourselves that it’s not a priority and it can wait. Or how about, TOMORROW is a better day to start that workout routine.

The list of excuses and rationales are endless.

Typically, the word ‘workout’ carries negative energy and sacrificial thoughts behind it. BUT, what if we changed the word to something different, something more positive, inspiring, exciting? What if we change the narrative?

Working out doesn’t have to be a chore or a punishment. Our mindset and the words we use have an enormous amount of power over our thoughts and our beliefs. What do you feel when you use the word ‘workout?’ Is it dread or excitement? If it’s dread, let’s switch the narrative and try something new.

TAKE AN ENDORPHIN VACATION

As I was riding the Peloton this weekend, one of my favorite instructors Robin Arzon, referred to the ride as an ‘endorphin vacation.’ Ding ding! We have a winner!

The word ‘endorphin’ has a positive ring to it. I automatically envision myself happily running outside with a big smile. And the word ‘vacation,’ well if that doesn’t instantly bring you to a happy place we’ve got problems.

As my alarm goes off now at 5:00am, I quietly smile to myself and think, “Time for my endorphin vacation!” Every morning, I move my body in different ways. I don’t do the same regimented routine because I know myself, and I know that doesn’t work.

Instead, every morning workout looks different for me. It truly depends on how I feel. One day it might be yoga and the next day I’ll put my headphones on and dance my heart out. I do what I want in the moment with the ultimate goal to just feel good.

My point is, do what works best for you. Allow yourself to try new things and be flexible!

Being able to move our bodies is a gift and something we should celebrate! Working out is a celebration of what we can do, not a punishment for what we ate. Start to see your workout as a time to be with yourself. It is a beautiful opportunity to feel your body and move it in ways that make you feel powerful.

You are blessed to be able to move your body and express yourself through movement. Try saying thank you to your body for all that it does (even if it’s awkward!) and everywhere it takes you. Your body is strong and so are YOU.

Nicole Byars is founder of Live True Yoga and a 500 hour registered yoga teacher known for her all-inclusive style of teaching, and authentic and inspired self-expression. Her yoga journey began in 2007 and has been anything but fluid and prefect. Early that summer, she was admitted to an eating disorder treatment center that was close to taking her life. The treatment center had a very holistic approach and yoga was a big part to her recovery. Nicole began to trust, love, and connect with herself again, and yoga opened the door to an incredible healing journey. Through the beautiful and challenging journey of Live True Yoga and her own personal experiences, in 2018 she received her Trauma Sensitive Yoga training from David Emerson and The Justice Institute in Massachusetts. Since then Nicole has been working with the Domestic Abuse Project of Minneapolis, bringing trauma informed yoga to their staff and survivors.