I hesitate to write about this topic because I know it can be taken and twisted in a number of different ways. Heck, I have some PTSD from rushing to meet goals and measuring up to physical expectations.

I have no desire to add to your guilt plate or to-do list.

All I can do is stand here and tell you that physical activity is turning my life around.

For context, you should know that I’m pregnant and I recently entered the second trimester. The first trimester knocked the wind out of my sails—not that I was in pain so much as I lost my breath more quickly than I normally do and had to take it easy. So, I have a refreshed appreciation for the seasons of life when down time is the best time. Sometimes, the body calls for rest in a very couch-potato-y sense, and usually when it calls for this, it calls loud and clear. By all means, if you’re burnt out and need a nap or a day on the couch, then do that! Our bodies can use that time to recover from physical, emotional, and mental work.

A couple of weeks ago, I felt a switch flip. I took more walks and felt free to run errands without expecting to spend the rest of the day on the couch. My appetite is increasing, and it’s exciting to feel blood flowing with power instead of the headrush I got as my body adjusted to sustaining a new little life.

So, I’m excited to get moving again. I now feel sluggish when I don’t move during my day, and I relish the slight soreness I have after trying favorite exercises again. My body has reached a stable enough state that it’s communicating to me more clearly, and I do my best to keep it up and make it that little bit stronger day by day.

What makes me miss activity, a good sweat, and improving my strength? I point to a habit of activity before pregnancy. My body knew how it felt to take multiple walks a day, lift boxes and move furniture with good form, and break into a sweat with some cardio. Of course, the exercise I do has changed and will change with pregnancy, but keeping an exact routine isn’t the point. Keeping the habit of moving is the point! The desire to keep up healthy habits will fuel me to adjust how those habits look in new circumstances. (And I’m finding many great options from women who arrange workouts for pregnancy and postpartum life!)

While I could list all the good things that exercise offers, the simplest answer I can give is that I am a better version of myself when I exercise. If I’ve stretched my legs, gotten blood flowing, and also seen sunshine (ideally, that is—in the Midwest, we need to take advantage of all the sun we can get), then I usually have a happier and healthier outlook on the day and in my food choices. I don’t entirely understand the science, but my body tends to prefer quality fuel over less helpful fuel when it’s been active, and that results in healthier food habits that help me recover well. Do you see the start of a beautiful cycle here?

Now, rather than turning our daily routines upside down or forking over a lot of money, there are many simple ways to keep moving during a day. Here are a few ideas:

• Sitting at a desk all day? Take a break to do a few squats, walk up and down the stairs, or lap the house. Ideally, you should get up every hour, and walk for a few minutes every couple of hours.
• Stuck in the house? Take a lap around your neighborhood before or after work or during a lunch break.
• Feeling stiff? Stretching helps blood flow and range of motion to prevent stiffness and soreness. Stretches in the morning before you start your day or before a bigger workout will help your body recover. Regular stretches of your arms, shoulders, and neck will also help if you’re at a desk often. Walking is also a true stretch of the legs – find a friend and take a walk to catch up on life!
• Have exercise equipment (whether treadmill/elliptical, or more portable tools like bands or weights)? Do you have a friend or family within your COVID “bubble” who does? Ask if you can visit or borrow them. Build the time into your day, even if only twenty minutes or half an hour. Every minute helps! If you plan to share equipment, remember to disinfect it after use.
• Want some instruction or structure? Many establishments and coaches have online streaming options. Pinterest and Instagram can also be helpful sources for routines to try for free. Look for professionals or specialists who are certified to teach or coach, know a thing or two about nutrition and the body, and are also endorsed by other knowledgeable voices.

Thanks for reading! I hope this blurb for physical activity can help you assess your own activity level, and see if you can add some extra movement. Of course, if you’re experiencing pain with movement or have concerns, you should speak to a medical professional. No body is perfect, and sometimes we need extra help and healing to get going. No pressure here! Take care of yourself, in whatever way your body needs. Your body will thank you!

That’s all, folks! Now, off to take another walk…

Happy moving,

Rebekah