Sorry for skipping a week – I had a tough period and I needed to take care of me. It's appropriate then to close the 10 Week Challenge with this principle: Exercise – Feel the Difference. Note: this is in fact the 9th principle of Intuitive Eating, but I decided to spend the week 9 thinking about Gentle Nutrition.


Car Free Day in Brussels

I spoke about the paradigm shift needed to start adopting intuitive eating, a shift away from the diet mentality – and this principle is about changing diet thinking about exercise. Coming from years of dieting we may see exercise primarily as a weight loss tool. We may even be beating ourselves up for not doing enough of it. Well, it's time to open our eyes to the joy of simply moving and being active.

The intuitive eating book advises us to focus on how physical activity makes us feel. These are some of the benefits I derive from staying active:

  • Increased stress resistance. If I move regularly, I am more capable of staying calm in situations that otherwise stress me out. Walking or cycling home from work is a great way to unwind and de-stress
  • Feeling good – almost euphoric. I simply feel great after exercise.
  • Time for myself. Walking or doing yoga in the park, cycling through the forest, walking on the beach, swimming in the sea – all great moments I have for myself. Sometimes the only time during the week I really spend for me
  • Fun. I have rediscovered the fun of moving through the city on a bike (with some safety precautions of course). It feels like being a child again. How about dancing? Playing a game?
  • Socializing. Walking with a friend instead of sitting in a bar. Playing team sports – don't do a lot of that but it's sure a great way to spend time with people.
  • Connecting to nature. Walking or cycling outdoors, swimming in a river, lake or sea (with swimming glasses so I can see the bottom and the fish) make me feel more whole as a person.

These are all great ways to take care of yourself without using food. You also take care of your health. Health at Every size quotes numerous studies that show how exercise has a great positive impact on our health – much more so than weight loss.

What I found to be important is to listen to my body and not to push myself. That doesn't mean that over time you cannot increase the intensity – or better yet, duration of the activity. But I congratulate myself for just getting up and starting the activity – doesn't matter how long or how fast I will do it.

Two tips to keep exercise fun and easy: aim for variety of activities, and integrate activity in your everyday life. Why not commute by bike or on foot if you can (this may mean parking a few blocks further or getting out of the public transport a few stops earlier). Why not go (walk/cycle) to a nearby park to have lunch? My favourite way to unwind in the middle of the day is doing yoga in the park – especially on a sunny day. Or I will leave earlier from my place when going to meet someone and I will walk part of the way. Some people like to take stairs instead of the elevator. Or walk to a shop instead of driving. Be creative. 

Enjoy your bodies and take good care of you!