This tends to be a time of year that we reflect and have a reality check on our lives. I feel many of us have been doing that as a result of the global pandemic all year. I'm digging into 2021 differently and I'll tell you why.
Whether the pandemic has affected you in a profound way or not I'm sure that its effect on our world as we know it will be a significant piece of history.
The trajectory of my life has changed - closing a gym business in August that had a successful 8 year run was not anticipated just one year ago.
Although the year has held so much and so little for me it is proving to be profound in both difficult and exciting ways. Challenging my personal and professional grit I share my new found optimism and possibilities that lie ahead.
I invite you to look at your own challenges of the year and feel touched by my words that we are not alone. We are connected and so are our struggles.
With this feeling we can also collectively grow and bring more strength, peace, joy and love to each other.
In my experience and in research making New Year's Resolutions have not proved to be the best way to make improvements in your life.
As a personal trainer I spend my whole year alongside clients to generally improve their lifestyle. I have grown tired of the classic SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goal setting, habit changing methods I have learned in the past.
I'm looking for new ways to cultivate a lifestyle that feels good and is sustainable long term. My commitment to this for myself as well as my clients has never been stronger.
When I say dig into the New Year I mean dig deep into what you can control. Put yourself into the #1 position to be and bring your best self always.
In my opinion the best way to make all things better in your life is "movement." You can start and end there.
Movement will make you feel, sleep, think, eat, and be a better person.
Movement will give you hope according to Dr. Kelly McGonigal, PhD, Stanford Health Psychologist as heard as a guest on the Rich Roll Podcast Episode 491.
Have you heard of Hope Molecules?
Dr. McGonigal encapsulates and explains what they are and why movement is amazing. When you use your muscles in any kind of movement they are secreting chemicals (Myokines) into your bloodstream which is great for every system in your body such as heart health, immune function, and cancer prevention.
There's more!
The Myokines cross the blood brain barrier and have a profound effect on the brain. In your brain they help with anxiety and act as an antidepressant, improve motivation and can make you more resilient to stress.
The only way to become our best selves is to use our muscles! These molecules are giving you Hope in these difficult times.
"I think this is how we should choose to frame movement. It's something that you can choose to do to powerfully influence your mental health and resilience," states Dr. McGonigal.
Your Legs are a pharmacy of resilience and hope! Did I hear Squats?
With evidence as powerful as this on movement I encourage you to dig into your schedule and find more ways to make moving everyday a priority for your health. It gives you the hope you need and us all the hope our future and world needs.
Cultivating a lifestyle that includes movement everyday is my Hope for you.
Written by: Sheila Hamilton
Copyright Jan 2021
References:
How To Make Your New Years Resolutions Work: Social Behavior Research and Practice
568. Best of 2020 Part One: The Rich Roll Podcast
Great blog, Sheila! I think this is a great way to view movement – not as a way to become more athletic, but as a way of achieving both physical and mental well-being and happiness. Thanks for doing the research and summarizing it for us!
Thanks for commenting Louise. Movement is medicine! Let me know topics that interest you for future blogs please! – Sheila
Sheila I'm so happy to start this new year with your Back to Basics class. In just two short sessions, I already feel empowered physically and mentally to get my body moving again. I feel grateful to you for the smart, safe and caring approach you take. I know that with your attention to detail and your personal approach, I can confidently become active once again without the fear of injury. See you on zoom next week!
Thank you Rosangela for leaving a comment. I appreciate it and feel confident your progress will continue. Great work gurl!
We got this! Loved reading this. Looking forward to a year filled with moving bodies!
Yes Lyndsay! There’s nothing we don’t move LOL!
Thank you, Sheila, for reminding us that we need to move, and that getting strong physically makes us strong in deeper ways too.
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment Eleanor!
CHANGE is the word that works for me. I love variety and beginning new things and ways presented to us since the impact of the pandemic. Sheila and Lyndsay have created whole new ways to address our changing bodies and thoughts. Movement must continue in many new ways open to us. CHANGE. MOVEMENT. TRY.
Thank you Kathy for the comment and energy you bring the us! It’s wonderful having you as a part of the Movement Garden! Isn’t Lyndsay the best?
You are my motivator for 2021 Sheila!! Get inspired and get moving! There are so many ways to be creatively active and healthy and it is always fun working out with you in your energizing sessions! I also learn a lot from your comments in the sessions. Thank you!
Thank you Maureen. It’s a pleasure having you in class and witnessing your progress.