Hey guys, I just finished reading another brand new eBook and I was able to interview Julie of Real Fit Mama about her take on the ‘Movement’ movement. Her new eBook, Real Fit at Every Age, is focused on helping everyone to become fit.
We all know we need to exercise to stay healthy, but I have never liked the constraining verb: exercise. It just comes with a lot of baggage for me. It almost makes moving my body seem boring and militant. I view exercise the same way I view food…I just want to have fun and I truly love when I come across someone who feels the same way!
Q: Why do you feel movement is so important?
A: Movement has always been the way I’ve found joy and connection to my body, mind and spirit. How we move and what we choose to do with our bodies is an expression of who we are. A group of people doing the same exact dance routine will bring unique and personal qualities to that routine. This has always fascinated me. My entire life I’ve been inspired to find ways to express myself physically. I’ve been a runner, a dancer, a skier and a martial artist. Now I’m a swimmer and I am learning to surf. One of the most profound moments of my life was the birth of my daughter – not a sport in any way, but absolutely an expression of my unique body, mind, and spirit. Movement is where I experience the journey of myself. The tangible results and visible growth – being able to do things I previously only imagined or dreamed about – shows me how persistence, showing up and commitment are all it takes to make dreams of any kind come true. Besides that, medical professionals across the globe agree it is the single most important thing we can all do to improve our health.
Q: What motivational tips can you offer my readers on how to ‘move’ more?
A: Motivation is personal, and changes from time to time and person to person. 20 years ago I may have wanted to look a certain way. After my daughter was born, I simply wanted to experience the joy and freedom of exercise again. I’ve asked many people what motivates them – and it is often a combination of wanting to be able to do certain things, wanting to enjoy one or several aspects of good health, and wanting to look a certain way. Getting ourselves out the door to actually DO some exercise requires a personal reason why.
Some tips for how to move more include:
- Start small. Take small walks, do a couple of stretches, or take the stairs more. Creating an active lifestyle helps to bust loose from the habit of not moving. Making small goals and achieving them is satisfying and motivating.
- Get a buddy. Making it a social occasion helps to create more fun in your workout routine. It also holds you accountable when someone else is waiting for you to show up. You can grow, press on, and explore together!
- Put your running shoes, yoga mat, sweats, and other workout gear right where you can see it first thing in the morning and throughout the day. During the years I trained for my black belt in tai chi, I carried my 6 foot bo staff in my car. I saw it every time I went anywhere, which kept it fresh in my thoughts and was definitely a contributing factor to my daily training routine.
- Find things you really enjoy. The most motivating factor for me is knowing how much I enjoy certain workouts. If it isn’t fun, I will find other things to do and my schedule will get full of non-workout priorities. Even though it is cold and dark in the early mornings, I am so excited about my new surf workout that I wake up before the alarm goes off. Even just a walk in the very early morning can be incredibly inspiring. You have to try it once to know how much you like it.
- Eat & rest well. When we take great care of our bodies, they give us lots of energy in return. When I’m hungry and fatigued, working out doesn’t sound fun. When I’m rested and nourished, I am fueled for a great body adventure – whether a swim, a hike, some yoga, or even just a few quick warm up exercises. A great tai chi master once told me: “No eat, no train. If you are too hungry, don’t come to class. Go eat a sandwich. Then you come train”. The same goes for rest – if I’m exhausted, my workout has to be minimal. I might still move my body but I won’t push it to it’s limits. Injury, adrenal fatigue, and depletion can occur when we don’t fill up on nutrition and rest.
Q: You talk a lot in Real Fit at Every Age about moving out of your comfort zone. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
A: Moving out of my comfort zone is a deeply internal process. On the outside, you might not even be aware that it is happening. Despite my love of the outdoors and adventure, I’m not a daredevil in any way. I guess the “craziest” things I’ve ever done have also been the most natural decisions at the moment. When I was 11 years old my father took me and my brother on an all day hike from the very base of the mountain in Yosemite to the very top of Half Dome and back. Climbing the thick metal cables with my bare hands and standing at the top of that majestic rock was something I will never forget. Another experience outside my comfort zone was having an all-natural water birth in my home high up a winding canyon road with no hospital around for a 20-30 minute drive. Definitely one of the most rewarding things I have ever done!
Q: Your book is about being fit at every age. Why did you choose to highlight all age groups?
A: Part of what motivated me to include all age groups was definitely wanting to reach beyond myself. When I started doing the research I was deeply moved by what is going on with the health of children around the world today. I am saddened by the idea that so many children have such a high likelihood of serious disease later in life – primarily due to lack of exercise. It weighs heavily on me to think about small children under the age of 5 not starting with a clean slate and a fresh chance at health.
Statistically, many of us in our 20s, 30s and 40s enjoy decent health. I wanted to include all age groups partly to emphasize the preventative aspect of exercise. Also, when we really look at health, we look at life as a continuum. While it is never too late to improve our health, it is also important to acknowledge that how we age down the line is a result of how we live today. Chinese medicine has a lot to say about longevity and preservation of our resources. It was important to me to include this, as well as to include the health crisis of our younger generation.
Q: What is your favorite way to get kids involved in exercise?
A: My favorite way to get kids moving is to get them outside. Whether in the yard, in the park, at the beach, or on the trail, kids have huge energy that thrives in open spaces. Running around a little bit, playing tag, hiking, and playing catch – kids are the simplest of all of us to entertain because they are so fresh and new. Once their boundless energy is unleashed, they pretty much keep themselves active! There is nothing like fresh air to help nourish their little bodies.
I also like to stretch, dance, practice yoga and do martial arts around my daughter. I love that she imitates what I’m doing and joins in. Whether I put on music, beat box a little (haha!), or shake it to silence, it’s always so fun to watch her little body move so boldly and fearlessly!
