What Is Intuitive Exercise?
Intuitive exercise, also known as intuitive movement, is a way of moving your body that focuses on listening to your body’s needs and signals rather than following regimented rules or schedules.
If you are new to intuitive exercise, understanding some of the key principles to follow can be a helpful starting point. By connecting with these, you are already working on your relationship with movement.
5 Principles Of Intuitive Exercise
1) Unlink exercise from weight or body management
Whilst diet culture suggests that the purpose of exercise is for weight or body management, intuitive exercise brings us away from this punishing narrative. The goal of intuitive exercise is listening to and taking care of your body, an aim that is highly supportive of eating disorder recovery.
Intuitive exercise is about working your body, rather than working against it.
2) Align your core values to your movement choices
Eating disorders take us away from our core values, whereas recovery is all about reconnecting. Examples of core values include kindness, freedom, honesty and authenticity.
Someone who values kindness can centre their movement choices around being kinder to their body. If you value freedom, you can work on being more flexible and free with your movement choices.
Let your values be the guide.
3) Listen to your body
Too often, we tell our bodies what we think they should do rather than really listening. Aiming for intuitive exercise means taking time to listen and check in with your body.
When you really listen, movement can truly become intuitive.
Physically tired? It’s important to rest.
Mentally tired? A restful yoga class could be supportive.
Feeling bored? Try something playful, like a Zumba class.
Full of energy? Opt for a power or strength-based option.
Emotionally drained? Try an uplifting walk in nature.
Feeling isolated? Opt for a form of movement that brings connection.
These are just some examples of how checking in can inform movement choices.
4) All movement counts
Many people think that a workout ‘doesn’t count’ if it wasn’t difficult enough, if it wasn’t for a specific amount of time, or if it wasn’t a ‘formal’ type of exercise such as going to the gym.
However, the truth is that all forms of movement count!
Whether it’s cleaning the house, going for a walk, a yoga class, or taking the stairs – these are all supportive ways of moving the body.
5) Let it be fun
When you choose exercise that you really enjoy, it helps to create a healthier narrative around movement.
Aim to bring joy back to exercise and connect with types of movement that make you happy.
Want to learn more about intuitive exercise? Read the following blog posts written by eating disorder warriors who have recovered with us here at Natural Food Therapy:
Tara’s Relationship With Exercise
Ella’s Intuitive Movement Journey
