20/09/2023
Today, we talk about REST DAYS. When I was in the midst of my ED, resting was a foreign term. Allow my body to rest and incorporate days of no high intensity exercise into my week!? I just couldn't allow myself to do it due to my biggest fear: weight gain. Coupled with under-eating and undernourishment, my poor body and mind suffered BIG time.
Fast forward the clock, having been in recovery for 5+ years, I LOVE resting and quite frankly, want more of it! Part of my recovery journey (with the help of my glorious Psychologist) was incorporating rest days into my week and also reducing the intensity of the exercise I was doing on the days I did choose to exercise (and doing movement I actually enjoyed and wanted to do). This my friends, was where the magic started to happen. My periods became like clockwork and I slowly learnt how to;
- stop punishing my body through exercise,
- allow myself the very much NEEDED rest days from high intensity exercise,
- enjoy movement and exercise for all the great things it brought me. And here I am talking movement/blood flow/organ functioning, bone health, strength, happiness, overall health and well-being....NOT weight loss.
Guys and girls....we need our rest. LADIES who have lost their period to something similar: If you want your periods to kick back in for good...this is paramount.
I know this isn't easy for some to hear ❤ and don't get me wrong....I still move my body on my rest days (because our bodies need to move) but it is more a gentle stroll, stretch session, or walk with my husband/friend. Perhaps a swim at the beach. You feel me?
And....we also just need more rest, more down time, less stress, less fast-paced action in our lives. Something for us all to work on 🩷