“Move More” and other TERRIBLE messages we hear when it comes to our health

Apr 8

This weekend I had the opportunity to go on a solo 1.5 mile walk around a pond in Henderson, NC.

outdoor hike — This trail brought me good vibe energy.
I resisted putting in my airpods in to listen to MORE, and instead decided to BE ENOUGH with this walk and
Experience this walk with all my senses present.
This walk did NOT disappoint. It was exactly what I needed after a 4 hour trip in the car.
Plenty of nature with only a few families and friends present. Fishing, walking and sitting on benches to enjoy the remarkable day.

Then I noticed signs. Ones that may have the intention to likely inspire people to improve their health.

the signs said:
Stay Healthy!
Move More!

If you’re new to my blog, I love a good !!!!!
I use them A LOT! (hehe)
**However, these signs had me in deep thought and actually started to perturb me as I noticed the body guilt I had.**
Please do not get me wrong, I think these signs are placed with the utmost care, love and consideration. It’s a societal problem I have with this messaging, not the people using it.

While I understand our American society is one that is suffering from lifestyle comorbidities and mortality from lack of physical movement.

Like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

I also do not believe the way to motivate a person is to say “Move More!”

To me, this statement comes from a place of scarcity provoking shame and/or guilt by implying

“You are not enough” (shame) or “You are not doing enough” (guilt)

And don’t we already have ENOUGH scarcity all around us.

For example, the most common language working women generally tell themselves in the morning before their feet hit the floor is:

I didn’t get ENOUGH sleep (lack of energy)

Then

I don’t have ENOUGH time to deal with ____________ not doing/acting exactly how it/they is/are supposed to.

Moving onto

I shouldn’t be eating this, I am too heavy (aka I am not thin ENOUGH).

Then you decided to check social media

I can’t believe I don’t have more likes. (not ENOUGH “social” support)

What about when you went into your bathroom or pantry and found that you ran out of a daily item, you may think

Ugh, how do I already need more of that, I just got it and it is so expensive. (not ENOUGH money) OR I don’t have TIME to go get more of it.

These are ONLY your morning thoughts…Just think about when you add work, co-workers, spouses, kids, activities and other life events on top of this. How much “not enough-ness” are you experiencing each day?

THEN….

What happens when you’re injured from your lifestyle habits?

How do you even find the energy, time, encouragement, or finances to take action on your health, when you have a daily morning routine of “Not Enough”?

You CAN’T! It’s truly impossible to get help, when this cycle of Not Enough is running through you each morning, afternoon and likely before your head hits the pillow.

So what I am saying, is I’ve had ENOUGH with these “motivational” messages telling people to do MORE.

Because NO ONE NEEDS TO HEAR THIS. It’s like telling me I need to lose weight….DUH, I have mirror, I know this, but it isn’t that easy - so back off!!!! (I told you I like !!!)

Here’s my grounding affirmation I use when I feel triggered into body shame/guilt and anger bubbles up -

I AM ENOUGH - I AM DOING ENOUGH - I CAN LOVE AND HONOR MY BODY FOR WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW -

I REALIZE YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND BODY SHAME/GUILT - THIS IS MY JOURNEY - I AM ENOUGH

For working women no longer need to feel like we are not doing enough, earning enough, getting enough, feeling enough.

We do not need to believe we are in a constant state of scarcity causing us to be a fog of shame or guilt.

What I propose you may reframe when you see a sign like above, you can think:

I AM DOING ENOUGH

Motion Is Lotion

Rest With Intention

be honest with yourself here, are you allowing yourself to truly rest? without screens? podcasts in your ears? are you allowing yourself to simply be still? or do you feel like even though you are not moving your physical body (as much as you would like) your brain never shuts off and it feels like you are always moving and never moving at the same time?! Own your REST friend.