*Content warning: body image*
Today, movement is an integral part of my daily routine. I am thankful every day for the privilege to nourish and exercise my body. However, I haven’t always had a positive relationship with fitness. In the past, my relationship with fitness was one that was inconsistent and insecure.
As a child, I was never considered an athletic kid in school. Even though I involved myself in elementary and secondary school sports teams, I still felt intimidated by sports. In grade 9, I began using social media more, and my algorithm sucked me into a spiral of seeing toxic beauty standards online. I began striving to reach an unattainable standard of fitness and used shame as my motivation to improve my athleticism and “better” my body.
After a few months of exercising obsessively and undereating, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. I could no longer go to the gym multiple times a day because everything was shut down. Thankfully, my cycle of obsessive exercise was broken and I was forced to take a step back. I began using social media more, but this time I followed accounts that promoted intuitive eating and exercising. My mental health was no longer consumed by thoughts about food and exercise.
Once the Covid-19 pandemic ended, I was afraid to start working out again. I associated working out with punishment and self-hatred, so I stopped to protect myself from the re-emergence of my harmful thought patterns. Years later, when I entered university, I experienced much emotional growth. I mentally prepared myself to start my movement journey again, processing my negative experiences with my therapist.
Last year, when I was ready to reframe my relationship with mental and physical health, I began attending group fitness classes. I am an extremely social person, so this solution was the perfect fit for me and my lifestyle! I found genuine enjoyment in these workouts because I felt uplifted and supported by everyone in class with me. I realized that these classes helped me focus on my instructor’s directions rather than how I looked. At UBC Athletics and Recreation, a wide variety of fitness classes and gym packages are available for students. I highly recommend trying them all out and seeing what works best for you and your body.
When I invested in my emotional health, I began to work out because I appreciated my body, not because I hated it. I quickly found a community in the Vancouver fitness scene, and I began working at two fitness studios. I also applied to be part of the UBC Recreation’s Move U Crew! Stay tuned for Move UBC in February, where we will have events that will get you to move with your friends!
I now make conscious efforts to fuel my body with the nutrients, exercise, and love it needs to carry me through every day. I feel stronger with every workout, and I love knowing that I’m working out to improve my mental and physical health. Fitness is an essential part of my routine and allows me to have time to myself in between all of the events in my busy schedule.
Move your body because you love it, not because you hate it. Your body is your home, and it allows you to experience your special life. Investing in your mental and physical health will always be worth it.
