Body Positive Fitness

The problem with exercising for weight loss alone, is that if you fail to lose weight, it’s tempting to quit because it’s ‘not working’. 

But there are SO many other great reasons to exercise, completely unrelated to weight loss!

1. Because it’s good for your heart!

Exercise improves your cardiovascular health, and helps you live longer. 

2. Because it keeps your strong!

Exercise helps strengthen your muscles, and helps you avoid frailty and injury as you get older. 

3. Because it’s good for your mental health! 

Exercise reduces anxiety and improves mood. 

4. Because it’s good for your brain!

Exercise has been shown to improve memory as we age, and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

5. Because it’s so much fun!

There are so many great ways to be active, you’re bound to find one you enjoy!

There’s are so many reasons to exercise that aren’t related to weight. 

With Fat Chance, a lesbian performing group. We used stories from our lives, we danced, swung on trapezes and moved in ways fat people aren’t often seen moving. (Berkeley, 1979)

While many of us think the obvious resolution is to lose some weight in January, you can do better than that! You can be happy without getting thinner! If you want to make some healthy improvements to your life in 2017, choose to make a resolution that goes beyond losing weight. Instead, target areas of your life that can be directly improved:

Make doctor and dentist appointments in a timely fashion

Cook and prepare lunch instead of relying on processed foods

Floss

Support local farms and food producers

Get more quality sleep

Eat vegetables at every meal

Meditate

Spend more time outside

Actually eat your fruit before it goes bad

Bring your own bags when grocery shopping

Don’t watch tv or use the computer during meals

Take vitamins

Stretch and improve your flexibility

Drink herbal tea instead of coffee

Concentrate on improving your posture

Clean your kitchen and dishes after each meal

Participate in Meatless Mondays

Stop biting your nails

Cut back on your sodium intake

Regularly donate unworn and ill-fitting clothing to a local shelter

Wear sunscreen every day you’re outside

Quit smoking

Get an eye exam and update your prescription

Cut down on the amount of plastic you use each day

Re-try foods that you hate, but haven’t eaten in years

Moisturize and remove your makeup before going to bed

Keep a journal

- If you don’t like oatmeal with almond butter, don’t eat it  

- If you don’t like running, don’t run 

- If weight lifting isn’t your thing, that’s okay 

- If you can’t afford Gymshark, Alphalete, Lulu Lemon, that’s cool too. Use what you have.