What do you mean by “listen to my body”?
As part of my job, I spend a lot of time learning about how people think about their health so we can create better tools to support them. One of the most common stories that I hear sounds something like “I did X,Y,Z diet or fitness plan and lost X,Y,Z number of pounds but after it ended, I put the weight back on.” That plan acted as a good crutch to get them started but does little to help them progress to something sustainable.
For many people, it’s relatively simple to start making a few healthy changes. However, it’s extremely difficult to create a healthier lifestyle. Some of the least helpful fitness and nutrition advice you can get is, “just listen to your body.” It’s like asking my 3-year-old to describe how foam rolling feels. There is no point of reference.
There is a better way.
My recommendation for those of us who are trying to make some healthy changes is always to get someone to help you. More than 300,000 Certified Trainers in the United States have top-rated nation certifications (ACE, NASM, CSCS, ACSM) and they are always looking for clients. This doesn’t need to be a very expensive relationship either. A few conversations go a long way, especially if you know how to spot the “listen to your body” trap and can ask the right follow-up questions.
Here is what to look for and what to ask:
1) Ask about exercise intensity until you understand? — Learning to get comfortable with intensity means your workouts can become more efficient. When is the last time that you have been out of breath? Like, hands on your knees, chest-pounding out of breath? If it has been a while, be ok taking it slow and make sure you understand how the workout should feel. Should you be able to talk? Sentences or just 1 or 2-word answers?
2) Do you know how my body is supposed to move? — Do you know where you are tight? And do you know where you are supposed to feel sore? If you do an exercise for your legs, make sure you don’t feel it in your back the next day. This is about understanding what it means to have a good range of motion and knowing where you might run into issues if you start a new routine without addressing them.
3) Can you identify likely pitfalls? — Get help identifying what might get in the way of you making healthy progress? For example, if you are working on building a consistent 3 day a week exercise plan. Do you know what to do if you have an upcoming work trip that will change your routine? What happens to your meal plan when you need to eat out?
As always, if you are looking for a recommendation, let me know and I am always happy to help. It’s a process of small changes over time, and it’s a process that needs support from an expert. Good luck!
