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Where is the line between adequate physical activity and an unhealthy passion for sports and even fanaticism? In an effort to meet the imposed standard of beauty, many of us drive ourselves into a state of stress. Meanwhile, by changing the way you think, you can make friends with your body and enjoy physical activity, says clinical psychologist Stephanie Roth-Goldberg.
Modern culture has terrorized us so much with the benefits of a slender body that sports activities have acquired additional meaning. This is not only and not so much about the desire for psychological and physical comfort. Many are so carried away by the perfection of the figure that they forgot about the pleasure of the process. Meanwhile, in order for the attitude to physical activity and one’s own body to cease to cause suffering, it is enough to separate training from an obsessive desire to lose weight.
4 ways to make friends with the body
1. Stop having internal dialogues that reinforce the unhealthy food-sport relationship
Mentally separate food and exercise. When we are too preoccupied with counting calories, we stop listening to our body and become more obsessed with the ideal figure. Just because we’re hungry or just want something delicious doesn’t mean we have to «earn» the opportunity to eat.
Negative thoughts make you feel guilty for every portion you eat and redeem it with grueling exercises. “I’ll have to“ work out ”this pizza, despite being tired”, “Today I don’t have time for training — that means I can’t have a cake”, “Now I’ll work out well, and then I can have lunch with a clear conscience”, “Yesterday I overate so much, I must definitely lose superfluous.» Allow yourself to enjoy food and not think about calories.
2. Learn to listen to your body
Our body has a natural need to move. Look at young children — they enjoy physical activity with might and main. And we sometimes do exercises through force, overcoming pain, and in this way we fix the installation that sports loads are an unpleasant duty.
Allowing yourself breaks from time to time means showing respect for your body. Moreover, by ignoring the need for rest, we risk serious injury.
Of course, some sports require you to put in more and more effort, and in this case it is especially important to distinguish between hard work on yourself and punishment.
3. Focus on the benefits of physical activity, not weight loss
Here are some examples of the right attitude to sports:
- “I feel like stress is coming. It’s time to recharge and relax, I’ll go for a walk.»
- “Great feeling when you work with weights.”
- “I’ll offer the children a bike ride, it will be great to ride together.”
- “Such anger disassembles that you want to destroy everything around. I’m going to boxing.»
- «Great music in this dance studio, it’s a pity that classes end so quickly.»
If traditional activities don’t excite you, look for something you enjoy doing. Yoga and meditation are difficult for some, but swimming allows you to relax and free your mind. Others are fascinated by rock climbing because it is a challenge for the mind and body — first we think about how we will climb a sheer cliff, then we make physical efforts.
4. Iubește-te pe tine însuți
Research shows that most of us have a constant interest in activities that bring satisfaction and joy. You don’t have to go to the gym and put on a tracksuit to enjoy the movement. Dancing to your favorite hits in your apartment is also a great exercise!
Remember, in order to enjoy physical activity, you need to be aware of your bodily sensations. By sharing food and sports, we get double pleasure. And most importantly: exercises are needed in order to enjoy life, and not at all in order to fit the figure to the standard.
About the Author: Stephanie Roth-Goldberg is a clinical psychologist.