The understanding that I can do it – that being healthy and fit and happy isn’t something reserved for beautiful instagram models, but totally achievable even for someone like me – made me value myself much more. Plus, the discipline involved makes me proud of myself, and a look into the mirror makes me happy now 🙂
Exercise feels good and also keeps my body looking good and working good. It is a necessity for me. Also as a recovering anorexic who is bad at reading my own hunger cues, exercise helps me work up an appetite so I can feel hungry and eat happily.
Eating well also feels good. I was raised in a healthy-eating home – lots of fresh produce, salad with every meal, mostly vegetarian. I don’t understand how people can eat junk food every day… for me I start to feel gross (bloated, thirsty, tired, cranky) if I eat too much junk so I’m pretty self-regulating in that regard.
Therapy: I’m not in therapy anymore, and I will say that I’m not always motivated to go when I need it. It’s hard to find a good fit and the results can take a long time to become evident. Plus my preferred form of therapy is CBT so it’s not just talking, I also need to practice the skills between sessions and “do my homework” so to speak. But without therapy I wouldn’t understand myself as well, and understanding myself (and my trauma, my past, etc) helps me resolve lingering angst and avoid future angst. So it is worth it, even if I struggle to make myself go.
Don’t have all the problems I used to about feeling lethargic. Feeling like I want to get my life together is strong enough motivation.
For me it’s about consistency. I make a commitment and I show up. At some point it just becomes autopilot. I am regimented about having a list for the grocery store of good, nourishing foods and I stick to it. I stick to a consistent schedule for the gym. But most of all, I am kind to myself. If it I have a bad day and it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. Avoiding the shame spiral is key.
Going to therapy has been really hard. I often get anxious leading up to the appointment and tell myself it’ll be the last one, but I always end the session feeling glad I did it and that keeps me going back. It’s hard to face your issues and pick at old scabs. It’s hard to remember trauma and tell someone some of your darkest moments that you never thought you’d share with anyone. It’s hard to learn how to empathize with yourself. I have been going consistently for 6+ months now and some days are still really hard, but I can see so many improvements. My baseline is better. My burden feels lighter. And I am much, much nicer to myself.
For me feeling better leads to motivation, which leads to feeling better. It’s about putting your shoes on and doing one thing at a time.
I don’t do intense workout but I started doing yoga regularly a few months back, before lockdown. It was a way for me to lift my spirits, breathe and get away from anxiety and stress. I really love stretching and feeling my body getting stronger. How I can put my weight on my hands for a longer time, how my arms and legs are getting toned. Feeling great about my body and being a stress reliever is what motivates me.