The Exercise Conundrum

While it shouldn’t be confusing or difficult at its most basic level, we seemed to have made exercise the elephant in the room. How much is enough? More cardio or more weights? Marathons or Crossfit? Is yoga really enough? How long do I need to run on the treadmill to burn off that dessert? It’s exhausting trying to decipher the myths and stigmas around exercise. We’re here to help you unpack it, simplify it, and demystify the gray area.

For starters, let’s forget the old notion that you can out-exercise a bad diet. We’ve long thought of exercise as a reward system. Good exercise may lead to earning a cheat meal. Alternatively, maybe we punish ourselves with exercise for “bad” foods that we’ve consumed. Let’s be clear – that’s not how it works. Food is meant to fuel our bodies, and exercise is not meant to be the punisher for “good” or “bad” choices.

Another common misconception: exercise should feel like a punishment. Don’t assume the need to grind yourself into the ground or you’re not working hard enough. Don’t get the idea that you have to perform intense workouts to get results. In fact, the opposite is true. Exercise is great for many reasons, but it is still a stressor on the body. Being smart about how you incorporate it into your life, creating a healthy, positive relationship with it, and building in proper recovery is key to reaping its full benefits.

Finally, the best type of workout for you is the one you love! Forcing yourself to do a workout you hate is likely unsustainable. If you’re new to the exercise world, be open. Explore different options and find your thing. Be sure to create the right mental framework around exercise. Exercise is great for mental release, increasing energy, and overall longevity. Treat it as such and it will give back to you tenfold. Schedule in active recovery days and listen to your body. It has the ultimate wisdom!