This week marks the 10th episode of the Meant to Move Podcast, a milestone that fills me with gratitude. As the host, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to interview health, fitness, and wellness experts from around the globe. One thing is clear: the world of wellness is dynamic, which is a positive and sometimes a negative. Our bodies are ever-changing, research evolves, and trends come and go. Navigating this landscape can be a challenge, and that’s precisely why I’m so passionate about bringing you valuable insights.
I hope these nuggets of wisdom not only inspire you to take action but also empower you to seek out the knowledge and support you need for your ongoing wellness journey.
1. Emotion is Motion!
Ever felt stress manifest as a tight knot in your shoulders? Or anger clench your jaw? There’s an undeniable link between our emotional state and our physical being. As Vanessa, the host of Meant to Move, emphasizes, understanding this mind-body connection is key. Become a detective of your own body! Start noticing postural shifts or muscle tension when you’re feeling intense emotions. Then, experiment with movement. Does a brisk walk release anger? Does gentle yoga soothe anxiety? Find your emotional release valve through movement.
2. Variety is the Spice (and Youth Elixir) of Movement
Monotony isn’t just boring—it can lead to stagnation. As Gee Tual, a Movement Therapist, points out, our bodies thrive on variability. Think of movement as your personal fountain of youth! Diverse movement patterns prepare you for life’s unpredictable demands. Can you go and play football in the park with your friends? Can you skip with your children? Can you go on a hike with your partner? Our bodies are designed to move and our brains require novelty. When was the last time you gave it both?
3. Find the Joy in Your Journey
If exercise feels like punishment, it’s time for a change! As Ian O’Dwyer, a world renowned fitness expert, suggests, movement should be a source of joy, not a chore. Explore different classes, coaches, or activities until you find what ignites your passion. Embrace the fun and playfulness of movement! As adults we tend to be afraid of playing like children (unless we have them). Play never gets old. Find something that makes you smile and a group of people who share your passion for that little bit of extra oxytocin.
4. Redefine Fitness: It’s More Than Aesthetics
It’s time for a fitness revolution. Let’s shift the focus from just weight loss and six-pack abs to the profound impact of movement on our emotional and mental well-being. As Emma Masters advocates, fitness can be a powerful tool for self-love and mental clarity. Ask yourself: How does this feel? Emma believes the power in self love is doing things for your body that create health. Exercise is not a punishment for eating too much. Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do and can be a powerful medium to release stress and anxiety.
5. Unlock Your Foundation: The Power of Foot Health
We often neglect the very things that ground us—our feet! Dr. Emily Splichal, a functional foot podiatrist, reminds us that our feet are the foundation of movement, impacting everything from stability to posture. Take off your shoes and reconnect! Can you walk barefoot comfortably? Do you wobble during a single-leg balance? It might be time to give your feet some TLC.
6. Fiber: The Underrated Hero of Nutrition
In the quest for optimal health, fiber often gets overshadowed. Yet, as Michael, a fitness and nutrition enthusiast, emphasizes, this carbohydrate component is crucial for digestive health, mood regulation, and overall well-being. With the vast majority of adults falling short on their daily fiber intake, a gradual increase could be a game-changer for your health short and long term.
7. Balance Tech with Intuition
In our data-driven world, it’s easy to get caught up in tracking every metric. But as Ian O’Dwyer (yes he’s back again), wisely advises, don’t forget to tune into your inner wisdom. Interoception (your awareness of your internal state) and intuition are powerful tools. Use your fitness trackers as a guide, not the gospel. Together they can create powerful change in your mind and body and help you move towards your goals.
8. Become a Critical Consumer of Information
In the age of social media, health information is at our fingertips—but is it reliable? As wellness consultant Sarah Zakzouk cautions, we need to be discerning. Approach information with a critical eye: How does it make you feel? Does it sound logical? What’s the source’s motivation? Questioning the information you consume is key to making informed choices. Questioning how your social media inputs are making you feel may be the most important question you can ask yourself today.
9. Align Your Measurements with Your Meaning
Are you measuring for the sake of measuring? Fitness experts Rhys James and Jesse O’Sullivan urge us to be intentional with our tracking. Measurements can be powerful motivators, but they must align with your goals and values. Ask yourself: Why am I tracking this? Is it serving my overall well-being? If you aren’t tracking or measuring anything and feeling the pangs of stagnancy, it may be time to start some assessments and appraisals to get you moving.
10. Find Your Keystone Habit for Holistic Health
Where do you begin when you want to overhaul your health? Holistic health expert Dave Liow suggests finding your “keystone habit”—the smallest change that creates a ripple effect. Is it prioritizing sleep? Incorporating daily movement? By focusing on one key area, you can spark positive changes in other aspects of your life. For example: if your goal is to get to the gym in the mornings but you are always so tired you end up sleeping more rather than getting out of bed. The smallest thing you can change to increase your holistic health would be your sleep time or sleep practices; not to berate yourself for continuing to miss the gym. More sleep or better quality sleep will likely help you out of bed in the morning with the knock on effect being you can now exercise more consistently. Look at the bigger picture of your life.
I hope these lessons from the Meant to Move Podcast inspire you to take a proactive and empowered approach to your health and wellness journey. What I love about all these lessons is how seamlessly they integrate with each other. These are 10 different experts from around the world yet the undertone of the message is clear. Your self awareness is the key to changing your life, health and wellness. Without self understanding we can’t learn from our past to see progress in our future. All of these podcast episodes are available to listen or view at any time. I believe a re-listen is also great for those extra golden nuggets of wisdom.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPjQ4ywdXvi41RGgqX31AKw
Vanessa Leone Movement Therapist 