We all know that exercising is good for both physical and psychological health. Many of us have also promised to start the new year with regular workouts. But many of us don’t manage to stick around for more than a few weeks. How do some women maintain their exercise routine? When many of us leave our studies, what motivates them to continue?
In their research, Kara Deininger, Akorede Teriba, and Megan Foley-Nikpon asked 11 experienced female exercisers (aged between 21 and 55 years) what helped them exercise. These women currently work out at least five days a week. All weight trained, but they also participated in many activities such as running, walking, HIIT, yoga or CrossFit.
The researchers used what they call a phenomenological research design. This helped to understand women’s lived experiences and the meanings attached to their participation in exercise. The results showed multiple motivations behind maintaining a regular fitness regimen.
joy and happiness
While women found importance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid disease, they particularly emphasized the mental benefits of exercise. Working out helped clear the mind and relieve Tension. Some found their exercise session almost the same Treatment. Patricia said: “I can get lost in my thoughts and I feel like it’s my own therapy session.”
These exercisers also enjoyed their workouts. He gained self-love through exercise and created happiness In other parts of their lives. Elizabeth explained: “Now I realize that it’s not something that has to be done. It’s just something that’s enjoyable. It complements everything else going on in my life… (I) feel like I’ve found my best self.”
taking time for yourself
Exercise was a time women devoted to themselves. Linda explained that physical exercise is “time that you give yourself, and how could that whole process not be better?”
It was empowering: Taking time for self-care led to an increased sense of confidence and power by becoming physically and mentally stronger.
Accountability
However, women emphasized the need to create clear goals and then be “accountable” to themselves for achieving them. Jessica was clear that “if you want to see change you have to do the work… it’s just hard work, and I think it’s accountability and just showing up and believing in yourself.” These women also wanted to work up a sweat and increase their heart rate during a successful workout.
internal satisfaction
The researchers reported that these positive motives for exercising were intrinsic: Women continued to exercise because exercise was enjoyable and gave them personal satisfaction. It was also empowering to feel stronger and more confident as a person. The researchers further suggested that women continued to exercise if participation was intrinsically motivated: rather than thinking of exercise as a required duty, it was important to enjoy it. This was a key to maintaining the exercise program.
External pressure: fit body ideal
The women in this study followed a fit lifestyle in which exercise was planned on their schedule. While successfully maintaining their fitness programs, exercisers were not immune to societal expectations of the fit, feminine body.
Many exercisers started exercising early Fear Of weight gain. Although they felt it was underrated InspirationThe concern about the ideal look was still deep in his mind. For example, Elizabeth explained:
“It’s hard, I think sometimes I know I work out because I want to be healthy but then sometimes it’s hard because I need to work out so I look good… It’s really hard to try to fight those thoughts. And then when I can’t, it creates a snowball effect of being disappointed about myself in other aspects.”
Some women were frustrated by the social expectation that equates fitness only with thinness, not muscle definition. Some people have moved away from “cardio” workouts (for weight loss) to an emphasis on weight training, especially as they age. For example, Sharon, who turned 50, shared: “You lose muscle as you age, and it was important for me to maintain some muscle as I got older. So it wasn’t about getting bigger and heavier, it was just about maintaining strength to stay healthy as I got older.”
It was clear that Sharon was careful about how much muscle she gained so as not to look too “big”. Patricia also revealed: “My body shape is such that muscle builds easily, so I always try to Attention That I don’t get too heavy, just because I don’t want to look a certain way.” Therefore, the emphasis on strength is still within the acceptable limits of not looking muscular.
Researchers reported that when exercise participation is motivated by social expectations of “looking good” (extrinsic motives), women struggle with negative feelings about themselves.
If we only work out thinking about “external goals,” such as expectations to look a certain way (thin and toned), we will abandon the program. While experienced exercisers may have started based on a fear of gaining weight, they had to find different, internal reasons to continue exercising.
finding joy
finding happiness, Self confidenceAnd time for themselves empowered these women to continue their fitness activities and deal with negative feelings of social expectations.
Exercise doesn’t always have to be high intensity and there are many different forms of exercise to choose from. If we can turn our workouts into enjoyable time dedicated to our physical and mental strength levels, we may also be able to stick with them in the long run.
let’s enjoy!
