Garance Galore

I’ve been feeling quite overwhelmed lately with everything that is going on in my life so and I decided to go on a walk in order to enjoy the views and get moving a little.

So, I woke up and, without giving it much thought, decided to put on my workout outfit and go for a small walk/ run. It felt so nice to be outside and feel my heart racing again.

I then came back home, had a yummy breakfast, and started tackling the next chore on my to-do list.

This quick morning adventure inspired me to talk a little bit about my relationship with physical activity and basically share how, over the past few years, this word’s meaning completely changed for me.

I used to start intense workout programs online, follow them for two weeks, and then simply give up, falling into my old habits. Not only was this not helpful, but it also made me gain weight and feel terrible about myself – ‘another thing I cannot even keep up with’. Until I met A! He truly changed the way I looked at exercise. He made me realize that working out has more to do with your overall health and strength than looking like an Instagram model.

And today reminded me of what working out truly is: fun!

Not something you have to start worrying about once you realize summer is coming.

So, here are my few pieces of advice to you…

Focus on health rather than aesthetic 

More than some kind of magical cure for having a flat tummy, physical activity is truly what will help us feel good while doing our everyday duties. This will dictate how much energy we have for our loved ones or even how gracefully we will age.

Let’s start thinking of ‘working out’ as something that serves us in order to live our lives to the fullest rather than being slaves to what we ‘should’ look like.

We get to live in the same body until our last day, so why not actually take care of it?

Find what makes sense for you

When I am mentioning ‘working out’, what I am talking about here is simply moving, doing your chores, taking walks rather than using your car or public transport when possible at all. We don’t all live the same way and we all have to deal with different constraints, but something as small as taking long walks and stretching will make a big difference in your overall health but also in the way you feel and carry yourself.

If you like something more intense, go for it! But in order to be consistent and to truly incorporate it into your lifestyle, it has to make sense for you.

I personally walk and move a lot, run here and there, and do some Pilates once in a while. I’m not on a tight schedule when it comes to working out; it’s really when I feel like it. All I did was start small and, more than anything else, enjoy the adventure!

Stop thinking of yourself as a ‘finished product’  

I don’t like the idea of having ‘a goal’ when it comes to working out, like having slimmer tights or a flatter tummy. Simply because all bodies are different.

We are not finished products that need to reach ‘a goal’. Of course, if you are a goal-oriented person and this helps, good for you!

But I believe that my generation has been suffering way too much from this narrative. I could be speaking only for myself here, but I believe that it’s a worthy reminder.

Discover what your body can do

Since I began being more active, I have noticed that not only have I lost weight but I have also started feeling strong.

Now, I am no Hulk. But I am definitely stronger than I was. I get tired less easily, I can walk longer distances just for fun, and while doing my everyday chores, I surprise myself with how much I can lift!

So, while on your fitness journey, don’t forget to stop and admire how much confidence and happiness being stronger brings you!

Be inspired but not influenced (in a wrong way!) 

As a huge Pinterest enthusiast, I would be a hypocrite to tell you that I don’t get motivated by aesthetic pilates pictures and green smoothies. But I am keeping in mind, at all times, that this is not real life – at least not mine!

Don’t let yourself compare your life with some ‘perfect’ woman online. If you love but still can’t handle this type of content without feeling horrible about yourself, avoid it!

But I personally love scrolling through my phone and looking at photos that inspire me. There is nothing wrong with dreaming and contemplating a little, but remember to live in the real world, where stretch marks and loose skin are completely normal.

Don’t try to make it perfect

To start your health journey, you do not need a fancy outfit or the latest trendy shoes. Just start!

You can do Pilates in your pjs, and nobody would know! You don’t have to make a 12-step program with complicated exercises. You could just start slowly and with whatever you have handy. Of course, it’s always nice to treat yourself and work out in nice clothes, but is it really necessary? In the beginning? I’m not so sure!

I hope you enjoyed my take on the topic and that these few pieces of advice will help you somewhat to motivate yourself to be active again or perhaps keep on going on this amazing lifelong journey!

And if this season of life does not allow you to focus on your physical health, do not put yourself down; the time will come. And when it does, remember these tips!

Have a lovely day!

Garance