Blog #84 – Today I Get to… Exercise

Welcome to Day 84 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Yesterday, we continued our final look at each of the habits within The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal, considering how Letting Go helps you to move away from bad habits formed in the past. In today’s blog, I move onto Exercising and how moving your body improves your physical health.

Exercising

While the first three habits focus on Your Journey in life, Exercising begins our look at Your Fitness.

Exercising has many health benefits in addition to boosting your physical health, and it is seen as a key factor in maintaining and improving your mental and emotional fitness as you grow older.

As with the other habits, people have very different approaches to Exercising in The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal.

My goals have primarily revolved around walking a minimum number of steps each day, though I introduced weight training as an alternative form Day 30. This approach has helped me maintain and improve my physical fitness without overloading myself too much.

My sister took a different approach, using the journal to help her train for some insane physical challenges. Most notable of these was David Goggins 4x4x48, where she and her team ran four miles every four hours over a 48-hour period.

The journal acted as a training log, helping her tune into her body while tracking what worked and what didn’t. The journal also gave space to track her nutrition and self-care so that she was ready for the challenge.

Whether tootling around in nature or running 48 miles over two days, The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal offers a great way to track what you are doing and build towards your goals.

Moving Your Body

During the first in-person Wellbeing 9-a-Day workshop, we received some fantastic feedback from one of Live Well With Cancer’s long term workshop participants, who had been using the journal for a few weeks before the session.

She really did provide great feedback, something that we are forever grateful for. Without naming names, I think, if she is reading this… she will know that it is her we are talking about. So, big thank you again for all your great feedback!

As I’ve mentioned previously, she suggested changing the wording from Exercising to Moving to veer away from any negative feelings that people might be holding towards the word ‘exercise’.

This tweak to the wording removed this stigma without losing any of its meaning.

We are currently developing a 30-day version of the journal, and will be making this change, as well as changing the icon from a dumbbell to a person walking.

One thing we have found during our initial trial is the importance of wording. By listening to the feedback that we have received, we hope that the next version of this tool – designed to create holistic change - empowers everyone who uses it to improve their overall wellbeing.

Whether you personally call it Exercising or Moving, I hope that you find a way to make physical movement a part of your daily routine.

Call to Action!

Think about the different ways that you like to move your body. How can you incorporate these into your daily routine as part of your Exercising goal? Whether walking with a friend, pottering in the garden, or dancing like no one is watching, find a way to move your body each day.

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This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.