i almost titled this post “why i exercise,” but i really don’t want to do a disservice to those of you that do legit training/workouts everyday, because i don’t think i quite fall into that category. that being said, i do make a concerted effort to do some form of physical activity [almost] everyday.
i’ve shared before, but my go-to workouts are treadmill walks [non-prego with an incline, now that i’m pregnant, i only do a 1 incline], yoga, and intermittent strength workouts that i find online.
today i wanted to focus on why i move my body, especially now that i’m pregnant and have every reason to talk myself out of it. “i’m tired” as i snooze my alarm for the millionth time at quarter to five in the morning. “my back hurts” as i struggle to tie my shoe. “i’m so out of breath” five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes in. i still do, it, though, because i know the benefits far outweigh the discomfort i’m in. so why do i exercise/move every day i can fit in in?
- better concentration + focus: i have found that if i start my day with some sort of conscious movement, i find better focus in my day. to me, it’s similar to why people make their beds first thing when they wake up — you start your day feeling accomplished. if i am able to get some sort of movement in, i feel like i’ve checked something off my to-do list and i start my day on a productive note.
- it loosens up my joints and muscles: i’m suuuper stiff, especially since becoming pregnant, so getting in a walk in the morning helps loosen me up, especially since i then go and sit in the car for an hour.
- i make better decisions in regards to my health, all day long: it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy – if i take care of myself to begin my day, i continue to do so all day long [or set myself up for greater success, at least!]
- i’ve worked hard to reach the level of fitness i’m at, and i want to maintain + get even better: i was in-shape before having logan, stayed pretty in-shape while pregnant with her, and got back into decent shape after her. i want to maintain that, because i know how much hard work into getting to the level of fitness i’m at, and i don’t want to be starting from square one.
next up on my list of things to really improve is my nutrition. overall i eat relatively healthy, but there are a lot of things i could be doing to really dial in on the nutrients i’m getting into my body. more to come on that in the very near future!
thanks for reading!