We all know that exercising and moving our bodies is important, right?  But sometimes I find that the word, “exercise,” induces a lot of negative feelings in my clients.  It brings up endless school gym classes, fitness club memberships that were paid for and rarely used, and sometimes, even pain.

If exercise feels like a dirty word, then toss the word.  Let’s just call it something else:  playtime, funtime, movin-and-groovin time, or whatever strikes your fancy!  I don’t care what you call it as long as you take some time to move your gorgeous body and shake what your momma gave ya!

Are you feeling it already?  That sense of fun and play?  Body movement is a fantastic way to bring it all back!

Before we get started, I’d like to say that if you enjoy going to the gym, then keep on doing it and having a blast. This article may help you infuse just a bit more fun into your workout.

And if you dislike going to the gym, that’s also great.  That is a brilliant piece of information!  You don’t like going to the gym.  Fantastic!  So now… what do you like to do?

You can think back to when you were a child.  What games did you like to play?  What movement did you enjoy?  Did you like tag, or badminton, or tapdance, or dance parties in your room?  Did you like swimming, or running as fast as you could, or doing yoga with your big sister?  What movements gave you pleasure?  What activities made you bound out of bed?

Looking back, are there any activities that you could do now?  Is there a class you’d like to sign up for, a pool you’d like to jump into, or a playlist you’d like to create for your next living room dance party?  There is still time to do all of these things.  By reconnecting with your sense of play, you will not only move your body in a way that benefits you physically.  You will also be reconnecting with your inner sense of youth and vibrancy.

And before your mind takes over, try this.  Try asking your body what it would like.  Take some deep breaths and ask your body, “Would you like to go for a swim?  Would you like to have a dance party?”  Feel the sensations in your body.  If an idea gives you pleasure, then try it then and there or make plans to do so in the next few days.  Leave a comment below and let us know how it went!

And don’t forget to check out other great More of Me to Love blogs.

Also, please stop by my Facebook group and become a member of the Body Love Wellness Group!

Golda is a certified holistic health counselor and founder of Body Love Wellness. She counsels women and men throughout the country on how to get off the dieting roller coaster, give their bodies what they really crave, and love their bodies and themselves. Golda's counseling and activism work have been featured on CBS's The Early Show, ABC's Nightline and Time Out New York. For more support with healing your relationship with food and your body, sign up for the Body Love Wellness Newsletter and receive your free download — Golda’s Top Ten Tips For Divine Dining.