Mmmmmkay. Let’s talk getting sweaty. (One of my fav things to talk about, tbh.)
I know, like I KNOW, this time has been a mix of the full range of emotions.
One second we’re like: I’m going to do all the things! I got this!
And the next, it’s easy to feel bombarded by the weight of the world as it sits in waiting, in the unknown of what’s to come.
Ohhhh, I feel it too, mama. The good and the bad, all mixing and mingling together all day long.
But my focus that I keep coming back to is this:
What can I control?
What’s within my realm of power?
The world’s problems…. not so much. That’s out of my hands (except for all the positive + healing prayers, energy, vibes I can muster).
Other than that? My control pretty much falls within MY own space, my own body, my own mind, thoughts, reactions, breath, activity, beliefs, routines, rituals.
That’s about it.
And when everything else on the outside feels crazy– and out of control– one thing I know I can always count on to bring me home, back to ME, is movement.
Like physically moving my body in a way that feels good and nurturing in that moment.
Listening and really tuning in to how my body feels, and then moving in a way to honor that.
Some days? That’s a quickie 20-min slow flow yoga class on my patio while the little guy naps. Nothing crazy or intense about it, just rolling movement and stretching to feel calmer through motion.
Other times it’s a fast-paced spin class on my little bike set-up, or a mat pilates sesh that lengthens not just my limbs, but let’s my patience and all my feelings fuse just a little bit, too. (Mhmm, you know what I mean.)
Sweat and breathlessness and engaging our muscles and joints in new, challenging ways is a kind of medicine. It’s a salve, if we let it be. And a symbol. To breathe even when things feel challenging. And just keep breathing and moving through it. Because when you come out of it, you come out stronger (physically and also mentally). Movement/exercise can be healing in so many ways– the mental way just as much as the physical, WHEN we listen to what we need + honor that fully.
So some days, it also just means my longgggg walk with my little guy, and a travel mug of matcha and a podcast humming through my ear buds.
It can be something different every day, but what I know is: humans were meant for activity.
We weren’t meant for stagnancy.
Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers. Travelers, movers and makers. They created with their hands and moved with intention, with purpose.
Something about that is so comforting to me, especially when I’m going on a few hours holed up over my laptop and something deep inside of me whispers it’s time to stand up, stretch out and get moving.
We all have that voice in us, but we don’t all know how to hear it.
So while things continue on in quarantine land, while we continue to be safe at home, I’m inviting you to get quiet a little bit each day and to ask yourself what you need today. What your BODY needs today.
The unexpected and beautiful thing about quarantine is the abundance of opportunities made available to exercise and move, even while we’re at home.
While at-home workouts have been my jam (and let’s be honest, my only option consistently) since having a baby, this time has really made it clear that we have SO many options, no matter what your body type/exercise preferences are like.
If you don’t know what to do, or where to begin, I want to share some of my favorite at-home workout resources. These are my tried-and-true go-tos that I’ve used and adored for a long, long time.
I hope they give you the best kind of endorphin boost, and the reminder that your body is strong and so worthy of activity.
5 At-Home Workouts I’m Loving Lately
Peloton: My beloved bike situation! Except, did you know Peloton isn’t just for biking? They have lots of other classes– yoga, strength, body weight workouts, bootcamps, even guided outside walks/runs if you’re into that kind of thing. I actually just use the Peloton app on my iPad and have this bike. It’s a better bang for your buck but still an amazing workout!
Recommended for: cycle queens + someone who likes an efficient workout
Melissa Wood Health: This has been one of my absolute favorites over the past few months. These pilates-based workouts are burners but don’t leave you feeling fatigued for hours afterward (or starving, ha). It’s THE BEST. (Plus, she has pre and postnatal workouts that are so good.) This is such a great option for women wanting to move but also be more mindful of high intensity workouts as they balance their hormones. I love this for so many seasons in life.
Recommended for: pilates fans and those who love mindful exercise
Find some workouts on YouTube for free, or get the membership for $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
Barre3: There are tons of online Barre3 video workouts available to stream from home with minimal equipment (bodyweight, small weights, bands, ball, a chair, etc.) It’s one of my favorite ways to move and strengthen my body without feeling like I need a full gym’s worth of equipment and weights.
Recommended for: barre lovers and those who don’t want a lot of fancy terminology/movement
ClassPass: I have been using ClassPass long before covid-19 life and love the assortment you can get with their membership! Even though most studios/gyms aren’t open right now, they have thousands of digital, live and on-demand workouts available all day, every day. They offer everything from HIIT to pilates to yoga to meditation and so much more.
Recommended for: those who get easily bored doing the same types of workouts
Sign up now for free digital access!
Tone It Up: These gals are doing all the right things. Their app has tons of specifically body-area targeted workouts, built-in accountability and nutrition tips. It’s got it all and their workouts are killer (like, in a good way though).
Recommended for: those who want whole health support and a variety of body weight, cardio + strength workouts
Get the app for $14.99/month or $99.99/year, plus their website has tons of free workouts and tips!
I hope these give you some ideas to get moving, to embrace your body and to feel the joy and light that movement can bring– inside and out!
If you liked this post, you might love these recent ones too:
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I love Barre3 and I love Tone It Up! With TIU in my old stomping grounds, I get nostalgic seeing the beach in the background of their workouts. 🙂