From Exercise to Joyful Movement: Transforming Your Fitness Journey

Hey there! Today, we’re diving into a transformative approach to fitness that prioritizes joy and self-acceptance over rigid exercise routines. I had an enlightening conversation with my friend and colleague, Kim Hagle, a certified personal trainer and registered holistic nutritionist. Kim's unique approach to fitness through her program, Discover Joyful Movement, is all about helping women reconnect with their bodies in a positive, intuitive way. Let's explore this together!

Embracing Intuitive Movement

Have you ever felt unmotivated to exercise, despite knowing its benefits? You’re not alone. Kim’s journey into the non-diet fitness space began with her own struggles. Like many of us, she grew up feeling clumsy and slow, often picked last for sports teams. But through her personal and professional experiences, she discovered the power of intuitive movement.

Intuitive movement is about listening to your body and moving in ways that feel good, rather than adhering to strict exercise regimens. It’s a mindset shift from seeing exercise as a chore to embracing movement as a joyful, essential part of life.

The Impact of Diet Culture on Fitness

Kim and I discussed how traditional fitness paradigms often tie exercise to weight loss, creating a toxic relationship with our bodies. This mentality can lead to secret binge eating, jealousy, and an obsession with maintaining a certain body image. It’s a cycle many in the fitness industry struggle with, but it’s time to break free.

By disconnecting movement from body goals, we can focus on the true benefits of exercise: improved mood, increased energy, and overall well-being. It’s about finding what makes you feel good and embracing it fully.

Movement vs. Exercise: Understanding the Difference

One of the key distinctions Kim makes is between movement and exercise. Exercise is often seen as a structured, rule-bound activity, while movement is more fluid and natural. Think about it: 50 years ago, gyms and treadmills weren’t common, yet people were still active. Movement can be anything from dancing in your living room to gardening or playing with your kids.

By shifting our focus from exercise to movement, we open up a world of possibilities. It’s about finding what you enjoy and what fits into your life, rather than forcing yourself into a rigid routine.

Steps to Healing Your Relationship with Movement

So, how do you start healing your relationship with movement? Here are some steps Kim recommends:

1. Mindset Shift: Begin by disconnecting movement from weight loss. Focus on how movement makes you feel rather than how it changes your body.

2. Set Realistic Goals: Identify what feeling better means to you. Is it having more energy? Feeling stronger? Write down your personal goals that have nothing to do with weight.

3. Experiment and Explore: Try different types of movement to see what you enjoy. Whether it’s yoga, hiking, or swimming, find activities that bring you joy.

4. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels before, during, and after movement. Ask yourself what your body needs and honor those signals.

Challenging the Gym Police

Kim also talks about challenging the gym police – those internal voices that tell us we’re not doing enough or not doing it right. These voices can be incredibly demotivating. Instead, focus on what feels good for you. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to move your body.

Finding Joy in Movement

Ultimately, finding joy in movement is about embracing your body as it is and discovering what makes you feel good. It’s about rejecting the no pain, no gain mentality and understanding that movement should be a form of self-care, not punishment.

Kim’s program, Discover Joyful Movement, is designed to help women do just that. By focusing on intuitive movement and mindset coaching, she helps her clients heal their relationship with exercise and feel confident in their bodies.

Join the Movement

If you’re ready to transform your relationship with movement, I encourage you to check out Kim’s podcast, The Joyful Movement Show, and explore her resources at Radiant Vitality Wellness. Let’s embark on this journey together and discover the joy in moving our bodies in ways that feel good and honor our unique selves.