Are you like most people? Do you make a resolution to get in shape in January and then spend the rest of the year shifting between punishing yourself with stressful workouts or berating yourself for not doing enough of them? So frustrating! I went from being a self-loathing adolescent sloth to being someone who “doesn’t have to worry” about weight. You can do it, too. There is a very simple formula. In fact, there is just one rule.

1. Fall in love with movement

Here’s a starting point:

Find a chair. Sit in it.

Wait, wait, not this one! It’s like trying to free yourself from a marshmallow monster.

Laz-Z Boy

Laz-Z Boy

How about this one? It’s got a nice firm seat that will help you feel your own seat better.

Firm chair

Firm chair

Okay, time to stand up!

Nope! Don’t get up the way you usually do.

I want you to think feet! Plant your feet on the ground. Feel how your weight shifts in your feet how the muscles of your legs engage when you stand up slowly.

That’s it!

You see, if you become interested in how you move, you will move more.

If you become interested in how you move, you have an excellent chance of falling in love with movement. If you love to move, you will move a lot, and then you will always be in the driver’s seat of your metabolism and physique. When you love to move, with proper guidance you can learn enough about your own body to correct misalignment and work through aches and pains.

And, hey, you had to get up anyway.

You know what, if you want to be in great shape, it’s because you want to enjoy your life more. Here’s a shortcut: start by enjoying the movements you already do!  You’ll reach your goals so much faster and with a smile on your face.

Stay tuned for more tips on being your healthiest and happiest.

 

This is Part 1 of a 3-Part series on falling in love with movement.

Jessica Hannan Sultan

Jessica Hannan Sultan

Jessica Hannan Sultan is Chapel Hill’s resident fitness trainer/exercise equipment inventor/elite bellydance pro/hater of sedentary culture. She’s a mom of two little dudes and loves overweight cats. Jessica invites you to a free trial of her BLAST fitness classes – Balance, Lengthen, Align, Slim, and Tone with 360 degree resistance at BellyBlast fitness in Chapel Hill. On Fridays and Saturdays you can catch her bellydance shows at Kipos on West Franklin St between 8-9pm.