Ever notice how everyone’s talking about their “new and improved” exercise routine?

“I’ve started doing CrossFit!”
“I’ve been to the gym five times this week!”
“I’m starting Pilates so I can get toned!”

Sound familiar?

For some of us, starting an exercise routine can feel like climbing Everest. The pressure to follow strict diets and chase those unrealistic body ideals can steal all the joy out of moving your body.

But what if we approached exercise differently?

What if we ditched the strict rules and embraced it as an act of self-care? Let’s learn how to transform your relationship with exercise and say hello to a newer, happier you!

Finding an Exercise Routine That Works for YOU!

In the world of health and fitness, there’s this wild pressure to look a certain way and use exercise purely to shrink ourselves. But this approach may be causing more harm than good.

Instead, why not find movement that makes YOU feel awesome?

Forget those cookie-cutter routines you see all over Instagram and TikTok! It’s about what lights you up, not what someone else is doing.

Exercise should never feel like a chore. It should make you feel good—inside and out.

It shouldn’t just be about burning calories or fitting into a certain dress size – a sweeter relationship with movement is about finding that sweet spot where movement feels amazing and makes you feel even better.

Build Your Own Support Squad

Finding movement that you enjoy can sometimes feel like a solo mission. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Creating a supportive community makes all the difference. Whether it’s a Pilates class, a run club, or a chill Yoga session, movement can become so much more than just a workout—it can be a way to bond with like-minded humans.

Surround yourself with people who lift you up! Not only will you get support, but you’ll also form some pretty meaningful connections. It’s time to ditch the need for approval from society (or the scale) and start living for you.

Free Your Mind From the Mental Acrobatics Around Food

Let’s talk about something BIG: freeing your mind from all the mental gymnastics that come with a complicated relationship with exercise.

Constantly stressing about how you look, how much you’re working out, or whether you’re good enough is exhausting.

Imagine stepping onto your yoga mat or hitting the trails for a run without feeling the weight of comparison dragging you down. Instead, you’re in the moment, enjoying movement just because it feels good.

So let’s reclaim control over your thoughts and shift to a more positive mindset.

When we free ourselves from the constraints of perfectionism, we can create space for true joy and fulfilment in our exercise routine.

So how do you start?

Focus on how your body feels during and after movement—no judgement, no comparison, no competition.

The 4 Keys to a Sweeter Relationship with Movement

According to Calogero and Pedrotty (2007), a healthy relationship with movement involves these 4 components:

• It rejuvenates you (not drains you).
• It enhances your mind-body connection.
• It relieves stress (not adds to it).
• It brings genuine joy and pleasure.

Shifting your focus from changing your body to simply feeling good creates a space where you can love movement—and it’ll love you right back.

Exercise Should Be About Self-Care, Not Conformity

It’s time for a new perspective: exercise as self-care, not punishment.

By embracing joyful movement, practising self-compassion, and building a supportive community, you’ll break free from those old mindsets that no longer serve you.

Let’s step forward together with confidence, prioritise your well-being, and celebrate the happier, healthier YOU.

This blog was written by Rochelle Lopes – one of the Dietitians at Sweet Spot Health. Rochelle has a special interest in sports nutrition and disordered eating. She understands that health is more than just numbers on a scale. She adopts a non-diet approach where she helps you find your sweet spot with food. Learn more about Rochelle here.

If you want to learn how to break free from the exercise noise – book an appointment with Rochelle today!