America Ferrera is being transparent about her changing relationship with exercise. She stated in a recent interview with Today Parents that she prefers moving to feel good than working out to change her appearance.
According to Ferrera, “My connection with working out used to be about mending shortcomings.” She said, “I was in a cycle of beating myself myself for years. She now has a different perspective on exercising.
The relationship, according to the 38-year-old, “took me a lot of work to turn into one that is founded in genuine gratitude for the capacity to move my body in ways that make me feel powerful, joyful, and alive.”
She is excited to impart her new perspective on life to her kids as well. “Moving our bodies because it makes us happy is something we want to model for our kids,” said Ferrera, a mother to Lucia, 2, and Sebastian, 4, who is four years old.
Like Ferrera, a lot of people have trouble developing a positive relationship with fitness. Exercise is about much more than just “burning off” calories and attempting to get smaller; nonetheless, these ideas are prevalent in contemporary culture and can result in an unhealthy relationship with exercise.
In actuality, a healthy connection with exercise should mimic any other healthy relationship, according to Barb Puzanovova, C.P.T. , a Nashville-based, non-diet, HAES-aligned, ACE-certified personal trainer. She said, “You listen to your body and respond to it, just like you listen to a spouse. It is enduring, flexible, and built on respect and trust. The short version is that it’s preferable to follow loose routines that don’t make you feel good physically or emotionally than to take days off and move naturally.
There are actions you may take to enhance your relationship with exercise if you suspect that it might be detrimental, according to Puzanovova. You might reevaluate your objectives and concentrate on the immediate benefits of working out, like improved mood or sounder sleep. Alternately, think about slowing things down by scheduling rest days or even cutting back during a workout. Puzanovova noted that it would be beneficial to reframe exercise—a term that for some people carries negative connotations—as movement.
You may also follow Ferrera’s example and emphasize the fun of exercising, as Puzanovova recently suggested to Shape. For instance, if you’re going for a stroll, you might bring a companion or listen to your favorite podcast. It relieves the pressure, according to Puzanovova.
According to Ferrera, who just teamed with the fitness brand, she is currently all about Zumba dancing lessons. The dance-inspired workout is undoubtedly a terrific way to inject some excitement into your training. The following morning, she would say, “I didn’t realize I was exercising that section of my arm, or that side of my abs.” “You’re working out your entire body.”
Do you need a little happiness right now? In a recent Instagram video, Ferrera can be seen getting down at home. You might even feel inspired to dance when you hear it!
