happy cells

Do you ever feel scared? Anxious? About anything really.. from the consequences of getting the cold, to the causes of an achy arm or leg, to fear of googling these ailments, only to find out that you might have some form of cancer, to being so indecisive and reluctant to make your own decisions that you feel inclined to take steps only after consulting your friend, psychic, doctor or someone older or "wiser"? Everywhere we are, we are surrounded by things which make us afraid. In relation to health, it's something I've learned, as a Public Health graduate, that our government does a very good job at. From what we see on television, to what we read about in newspapers, magazines, the internet, right down to what our leaders in respective places of worship may say, we are perpetuated by fear. 

Sometimes, you just need to zone out. Sometimes, you just need quiet time. Sometimes you just need to do nothing. Sometimes, you need to something, to reenergise, and tell yourself that everything is going to be OK. Sometimes a little bit of doing this everyday, can solve many existing ailments we may already be suffering from.What if we made our cells on our bodies happy more often?

What if we chose to do this during.. exercise time? Yeah, but with a little difference. You see, this exercise time is going to be special. During this exercise time, you aren't going to bombard your mind with negative crap you see around you, you aren't going to say to yourself, "no pain, no gain", or "you are only as good as your last workout" or " if i don't feel like throwing up, i haven't pushed myself enough". This exercise time is going to be full of movement and listening to your body. This time can be made up of everything and anything alternative to contrary belief of what a typical work out should consist off. It will contain all the ingredients of things which make you smile, on the inside.

Maybe my legs are tired.

No obligation, no stress, no irritation before the "workout", you are going to perspire as a result of doing something which you are excited to do! Be at dancing in your room alone or with a friend or yoga ( simple or even beginners yoga, not hot yoga or commercial types of yoga we see around us now), martial arts or strolls.  How about using gentler movements as a way to manifest your bodies greatness? I've been thinking lately, why do people enjoy  putting up videos of themselves or others struggling during workout sessions,  as they do squats, lift weights or.. wait for it..... lift each other?! (Possibly an ego thing?Yeah, maybe? Just to show how "strong" they are). How strong are your organs which you push so hard? You may look nice on the outside, but, have you ever asked yourself what your kidneys, muscles or heart look like?

I'm so glad my eyes are open now and I see through fitness trends. These trends are made to glorify exercise as as an all out war on the body.

I mean really, what is she doing? How is this beneficial to the body? People sit on seats, they don't lift themselves on them. Come on. 

Hmmm how about Healthy is the new Strong? Probably the next trend?

I no longer think it's something good (in the sense that wow, this person must really be working out hard sorta good) if someone is exhausted after a workout or suffers injuries and needs/still continues to workout despite feeling sore in certain areas.

How about more injuries? Soreness? Pain? Discomfort? Oh... I guess we forgot about all that.. 

If we just listen to our bodies, we'd know that injuries and pain are signs we need to heed. I'm not saying we shouldn't push ourselves, all I'm saying is, what if we pushed it using common sense? What if we indulged in workouts which we look forward to? Instead of grumbling " oh great I have to go for a run, or to the gym", can you imagine how our muscles, cells and tissues would feel if we did something that made us happy BEFORE and after a workout? 

The last thing fitness should be is a military operation. If you have read this whole post, there is a reason why you have. Maybe there is a part of you which feels this way too. What if we took a deeper look and tried a "less is more" approach instead of a "no pain, no gain" approach? 

What if we made the cells in our bodies happy?

Happy haemoglobes,

Aly