How generous are you with yourself?
I discovered how a little bit of exercise went a long way when I had post-natal depression. 2-minutes of exercise at my kitchen bench was all I felt capable of but this small moment each day of being generous to myself, even though it was not easy, had a profound impact on my mental health. I may have looked exactly the same to an outsider, but inside I felt more powerful and that started to make a difference to every part of my day. I didn’t need a mirror or a scale to tell me I was achieving something: I could feel it. Little moments of self-care helped me experience joy and make positive progress in my life again.
’I can’t believe how much more confident I feel,’ is one of the most common things I hear from my clients after they’ve started taking little moments in their day to move and nourish themselves. Confidence comes from re-claiming your body. By that I mean, making it a priority and not always putting everything and everyone else first. There is a great sense of achievement when you have done something for yourself and a lift in your self-worth.
With each action you take to get stronger and fitter, you are telling yourself that you are to be valued. When we value something we continually love, care and cherish it – in the case of your body, with nourishing food and movement. We don’t tear it down with negative self-talk. We don’t give up on it. We celebrate it and all it is capable of. When you look in the mirror, whether you see buffed arms or not, you can congratulate yourself on taking care of your body, even if that means the smallest of steps, like adding a green smoothie to your week or ten push-ups at your kitchen bench. You get to feel empowered.
Remember, exercise because you love your body, not because you hate it. And always remember to be generous to your lovely self.
Lizzy xxx
Lizzy Williamson
Lizzy is a Personal Trainer and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and has spent the last 15 years helping women feel good in their body, mind and soul through exercise. She is a fitness presenter, instructor, speaker, author, contributor to several online publications, previous speaker at Golden Door and founder of The 2 Minute Workout.