You have permission to listen to your body

This is a brief post with a very important, message about exercising for weight loss success.

This week, at the end our telehealth visit, a patient said to me “thank you for giving me permission to listen to my body!”

At first I was so glad she heard the message about how to use what her body was telling her to find the right amount of exercise.

The more I thought about that statement though, the more uneasy I became. It occurred to me how many times I see that relief on a patients face when I tell them they can listen to and trust their body. It’s like the stress of exercise is finally lifted and they are free to just enjoy moving their body in its current condition.

The messages that your body is something to ignore or overcome are not meant for you, the person trying to lose weight, and be healthy. They are meant for the athlete, the military professional and anyone else who needs to push their body to the limit to compete.

I want you to know that you have permission to ignore all of those messages that your body is a problem, an enemy you need to fight against in order to lose weight. You can ignore the advice to distract or that you need someone to push you to get through a workout. Its simply not meant for you.

If you are trying to lose weight so you can be healthy, enjoy more of life, and live longer, listening to your body is the only way to get there and stay there! The irony is, you wont feel lazy or have to push yourself to get to the gym any more. When you listen to your body, you will find ways to exercise that are sustainable, that you want to do because they make you feel better now. That is the way to exercise for weight loss success (that lasts)

So from this day forward, you are granted permission to listen to your body when you exercise. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different!

Keep Moving, Listen to Your Body, and Be Well,

Janet