Tribole E, Resch E. Principle 9: Movement—feel the difference. In: Tribole E, Resch E, 4th ed. Intuitive Eating; A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach. St. Martin’s Essentials; 2020:216-228.
"Forget militant exercise. Just get active and feel the difference. Shift your focus to how it feels to move your body, rather than the calorie-burning effect of exercise. If you focus on how you feel from working out, such as energized, it can make the difference between rolling out of bed for a brisk morning walk or hitting the snooze alarm."
Breaking Through Exercise Barriers
Focus on How It Feels
Stress level
Are you able to handle stress better?
Are you less edgy?
Is it easier to take situations in stride, roll with the punches?
Energy level
Do you feel more alert?
Is there a little more spunk in your attitude?
If you exercise in the morning, does it wake you up instead of making you feel groggy?
General sense of well-being
Do you have an improved outlook?
Sense of empowerment
Do you feel more determined?
Do you say, ‘I can do it’ and seize the day?
Sleep
Do you sleep more soundly and wake up more refreshed?
Decouple Exercise from Weight Loss
Look to the countless benefits to physical activity rather than weight loss. "If your prime focus is on weight loss, it won’t motivate you to exercise for long… And when the payoff doesn’t seem quick enough, it becomes discouraging." Consider exercise "as a way to promote health, increase quality of life, and fight off diseases."
