8/18/2020 13 Comments Why Do You Workout?I have a question for you. Why do you work out? Tell me your honest answer.
I absolutely love working out! It makes me feel strong, the endorphin release boosts my mood, and it is a fun way to move my body. I like setting goals for myself, such as doing 30 solid pushups by the end of the summer, shaving one minute off my 5k time, and reaching a juggling high score. Working hard to reach these goals is exhilarating and satisfying as I accomplish them. I enjoy exercise for all of these reasons. However, based on conversations with other people, various social media videos, and advertisements, I have found that many people have other motives. When asked the same question I asked above, why do you work out?, responses could sound something like the following: to lose weight, to get abs, to get rid of love handles, and the list continues. I have seen many TikTok videos of girls saying, “This is a reminder to love yourself, but there is nothing wrong with wanting a bigger butt and slimmer waist,” or “Here is my exercise for easy weight loss.” When I hear these messages, I am screaming inside, NOOOOOO! There is so much I could say about loving yourself and wanting to lose weight, but that is a discussion for a whole other post. For right now, I want to focus on motives for exercise. Exercise should be done because you want to! If you don’t feel like it one day, then don’t. If you don’t like exercising, then don’t. If you want to exercise, then please do! But, I cannot stress this enough: Do. It. Because. You. Like. How. It. Makes. You. Feel. I completely understand the drive for wanting to workout to change the way your body looks. We live in a society that is focused on appearance and applauds perfectly toned and thin bodies (definitely a discussion for another post). If this is your motivation for exercise, it is understandable. Although it may be difficult in a world where Instagram “fat loss” or “perfect body” workouts are prevalent, I encourage you to view exercise not as a way to change your body, but as a way to feel good in the body you are in. Many exercise programs focus on working out for weight loss and aesthetic purposes, but this is not the intent of exercise. In fact, according to exercise.com, exercise dates back to 600 B.C. in ancient Greece, for the purposes of training to increase speed, endurance, and strength. Only recently have the aesthetic values of exercise been tagged along with that. Keep this in mind the next time you go to workout. Start your session with a goal of getting stronger, working hard, and feeling good about your body before you even begin moving. Also, what is exercise anyway? For most of us, our minds probably jump to thoughts of hitting the gym, lifting weights, a sprint class, and running multiple miles. Yes, these are forms of exercise. It is important to remember that dancing in front of your mirror to your favorite tunes, going through a calming yoga routine, playing and practicing your favorite sport, swimming in the pool with your friends, and walking around your neighborhood are all forms of exercise too. So, what’s the point, Madeleine? After reading this, I want you to rethink what you’ve been told and what you are seeing on social media about working out. Honor the signals your body is sending about how it wants to be moved. Exercise not because you want to look a certain way, but because you want to exercise. What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you like to move your body? What’s your favorite form of exercise? Let me know in the comments below!
13 Comments
Kendall
8/18/2020 03:59:55 pm
Such a great message!
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
8/19/2020 12:05:47 pm
Yay, so happy you think so. I love hearing your support!
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Marge Stern
8/18/2020 07:58:27 pm
Easy to make excuses for not working out. I did that well! Then March 13 2020 came along. Walking 2-3 miles is now routine! And yes--it is a mood booster. The hardest part is getting out the door!
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
8/19/2020 12:06:43 pm
Same routine for me. I love walking!
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Zoe
8/20/2020 04:09:31 pm
I love the idea of redirecting the intention of exercise! Soccer is 100% my favorite way to exercise(#HappyPlace), but walks or runs with friends are a close second :)
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
8/21/2020 06:40:06 pm
I am so with you! Those are some of my favorite ways to exercise for sure!
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8/28/2020 06:08:47 pm
Jump rope is totally my fav! I also love volleyball, and skating (lol I'm VERY canadian!), though I am not as good at those...
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Sheryl Gelman
8/22/2020 07:09:59 pm
I love riding my bicycle with the wind in my hair. I feel free and happy. You should try it.🚴♀️
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
8/22/2020 07:33:16 pm
That sounds amazing! I will definitely try.
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8/28/2020 06:05:40 pm
Hi Madeleine! I have recently discovered the HUGE world of teen bloggers and I am so beyond happy that I did! I am a new blogger - shameless self promo: https://noorah-land.blogspot.com/ - and I love what you are doing here! You are so sweet, and kind, and I legit cannot tell you ENOUGH how ecstatic I am to have found your blog!
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
8/28/2020 07:56:33 pm
Hi Noorah! Thank you so much for your kind words! Your comment made me so happy. I will totally check out your blog, and it sounds like you have some awesome ideas. I would love to connect with you blogger to blogger :)
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Ava Weinberg
9/24/2020 11:06:02 am
Madeleine, thank you for this blog, it’s taught me a ton! My favorite forms of exercise are basketball (I’m very competitive) and biking 😋
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
9/24/2020 01:09:41 pm
I am so happy to hear that! I am super competitive too, so I totally relate.
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AuthorLover of adventures, traveling, family time, fashion, soccer, writing, and more, Madeleine is giving you all the real and relatable content you have been looking for. Archives
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