\t\t\t<\/p>\n
I\u2019m learning to move with my life, rather than fitting my life around exercise<\/p>\n
When I started the Million Moves Challenge<\/strong> as part of my Spring Reset, I had every intention of getting back into my regular movement routine.<\/p>\n Running. Strength training. Yoga. Walking.<\/p>\n And then life happened.<\/p>\n We moved house.<\/p>\n Suddenly, my usual structured workouts weren\u2019t happening very often. There were boxes to pack, furniture to move, cupboards to sort, rooms to organise and endless trips backwards and forwards.<\/p>\n At first, I felt a little guilty. I should be exercising.<\/em> But then I stopped and thought about what I was actually doing.<\/p>\n I was moving all day long<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Moving furniture (I surprised myself at what I could lift), Lifting boxes. Carrying things. Bending, reaching and stretching. Walking from one room to another. Carrying things up and down stairs, cleaning and scrubbing floors at our old home, unpacking, cleaning, sorting and reorganising in our new home.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t my usual exercise routine, but it was movement.<\/p>\n And it reminded me of something I\u2019m learning through my Spring Reset:<\/p>\n Movement doesn\u2019t have to be perfect to count.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n I\u2019ve been thinking about this alongside my idea of a Movement Menu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Rather than having one rigid exercise routine that I\u2019m supposed to follow regardless of what\u2019s happening in my life, what if I simply asked:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat movement do I need today?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Because the answer isn\u2019t always the same.<\/p>\n Some days I have plenty of energy and want to run or do a strength workout. Other days I might need to stretch and loosen up.<\/p>\n Sometimes I only have ten minutes. Sometimes I need to get outside.<\/p>\n And sometimes I\u2019m simply exhausted and what I really need is rest. After moving and working non stop to unpack I felt like I had hit a wall and just had to stop!<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I like the idea of having a Movement Menu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Think of it like choosing from a menu depending on your time, energy and how you\u2019re feeling.<\/p>\n This might be the day for a run, strength training, a brisk walk or a longer workout.<\/p>\n Yoga, mobility exercises, stretching or some gentle movement might be exactly what your body needs.<\/p>\n Ten minutes still counts.<\/p>\n Walk around the block. Do some mobility exercises. Put on your favourite music and dance. Take a movement break from whatever you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n Walk with a friend. Go for a stroll with your partner. Walk while chatting on the phone. Take the grandchildren to the park.<\/p>\n Movement doesn\u2019t have to be something you do alone.<\/p>\n Get outside. Walk in nature. Put on some music. Move your body and give your mind a change of scenery.<\/p>\n This one is important. Maybe it\u2019s gentle stretching, a slow walk or Restorative yoga.<\/p>\n Or perhaps the right choice is rest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Because rest belongs on the Movement Menu too.<\/p>\n For several weeks, preparing to move, packing and then eventually moving, I didn\u2019t have the time or headspace to follow my normal exercise routine.<\/p>\n But I wasn\u2019t inactive, I was moving constantly. And rather than seeing that as a failure because I wasn\u2019t \u201cworking out\u201d, I\u2019ve started to see it differently.<\/p>\n Everyday movement matters.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Of course, structured exercise is important too. Strength training, cardiovascular exercise, balance work, mobility and activities that challenge our bodies all have an important place in healthy ageing.<\/p>\n But I don\u2019t want to fall into the trap of thinking that if I can\u2019t complete a \u201cproper workout\u201d, I\u2019ve done nothing.<\/p>\n Life isn\u2019t always predictable.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n There will be weeks when we\u2019re travelling, moving house, caring for someone, working longer hours, dealing with family commitments or simply feeling tired.<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019ve fallen off the wagon.<\/p>\n It means life is happening.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n After 10 days, our house is finally starting to feel like home. The furniture is in place, boxes are disappearing, things are finding their places and I\u2019m finally getting some headspace back.<\/p>\n And interestingly, my Movement Menu is changing again \u2013 I\u2019m ready to return to more structured movement.<\/p>\n I\u2019m looking forward to getting back to running, strength training, yoga and walking \u2014 not because I have to \u201cmake up\u201d<\/strong><\/em> for the weeks when I couldn\u2019t do it, but because I enjoy moving my body.<\/strong><\/p>\n That\u2019s an important distinction. I\u2019m not exercising because I need to punish myself for being inactive.<\/p>\n I\u2019m moving because I want to stay strong, mobile and independent. In particular, my strength training and cardio workouts have shown me that I have to strength and capacity to keep going which was invaluable during our move. I want to keep doing the things I love. I want to travel, explore, play with my grandchildren, enjoy adventures and continue participating fully in life.<\/p>\n This is becoming one of the biggest lessons of my Spring Reset.<\/p>\n\n
What if we stopped asking, \u201cWhat exercise should I do?\u201d<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s on your Movement Menu?<\/h3>\n
I have energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I need to loosen up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I only have 10 minutes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I need connection<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I need a mood boost<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I\u2019m tired<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Moving house taught me something<\/h3>\n
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And now life is settling again\u2026<\/h3>\n
Movement needs to fit our life<\/h3>\n
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