Being Active Is Not About Fitness

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Abstract

aking care of myself.</p><p id="f7c3">I also became aware of how judgmental I was of myself, and how much of a perfectionist I had become. No amount of physical activity was “good enough” for me.</p><p id="7543">The beautiful thing about it is that, because of my relationship with fitness, I started to see all the places where I was weak. Not physically, but mentally, emotionally.</p><p id="343d">I started to understand why I had failed in so many other areas of my life. Once I was aware of these issues, I could face them. And change them.</p><p id="c2fb">For people who shy away from fitness, I encourage you to look at it instead as an opportunity to know yourself…to be in a conscious relationship with yourself…to prevail over old patterns of thinking that have been holding you back.</p><p id="3ce4">You don’t have to be fit. You don’t have to be faster or stronger than other people to be well, or happy. Regular physical activity IS good for your body and can help you regulate various health issues, including mood challenges. Above all, physical activity is great for your brain. It’s great for self-awareness, f

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or confidence, and for self-improvement. It’s a powerful tool in a vast self-care toolbox.</p><p id="5f9d"><i>Melissa Raise is the owner of Raise the Bar Wellness. She is a CPT, CHC, and LMT with 18 years of experience helping people better themselves. Working with the tools of behavior change, positive psychology, non-violent communication, motivational speaking, nutrition, meditation, affirmation, and movement recommendations, her intention is to touch and elevate as many people as possible.</i></p><div id="55fb" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-ego-is-crucial-to-our-survival-429470787d62"> <div> <div> <h2>The ego is crucial to our survival.</h2> <div><h3>Our higher consciousness is interested in expanding</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*fzwLX-kubao5V1ijJQrMkw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

It’s an opportunity to get to know yourself.

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“Fitness” is a trigger word for a lot of people.

Hidden within its depths is a feeling of pressure. A feeling of “not good enough”. And sometimes a feeling of “I have to do this because so many people say it’s normal to be fit.”

But what if being active is not really about being fit? What if being active is simply an opportunity to be more connected to yourself?

When I joined a CrossFit gym many years ago, I joined because I wanted to look better. I did it because I had had two children and my body was aging rapidly.

Over time, as I continued being physically active, I realized that a few things kept coming up for me, and they had nothing to do with being fit. I was often faced with my own negative attitude, my own lack of willingness to continue taking care of myself.

I also became aware of how judgmental I was of myself, and how much of a perfectionist I had become. No amount of physical activity was “good enough” for me.

The beautiful thing about it is that, because of my relationship with fitness, I started to see all the places where I was weak. Not physically, but mentally, emotionally.

I started to understand why I had failed in so many other areas of my life. Once I was aware of these issues, I could face them. And change them.

For people who shy away from fitness, I encourage you to look at it instead as an opportunity to know yourself…to be in a conscious relationship with yourself…to prevail over old patterns of thinking that have been holding you back.

You don’t have to be fit. You don’t have to be faster or stronger than other people to be well, or happy. Regular physical activity IS good for your body and can help you regulate various health issues, including mood challenges. Above all, physical activity is great for your brain. It’s great for self-awareness, for confidence, and for self-improvement. It’s a powerful tool in a vast self-care toolbox.

Melissa Raise is the owner of Raise the Bar Wellness. She is a CPT, CHC, and LMT with 18 years of experience helping people better themselves. Working with the tools of behavior change, positive psychology, non-violent communication, motivational speaking, nutrition, meditation, affirmation, and movement recommendations, her intention is to touch and elevate as many people as possible.