Fitness Isn’t About What You Can Lose But What You Can Gain

It was a pivotal moment, six weeks after giving birth to my second child, that completely transformed my perspective on exercise. Sitting in the waiting room of my OB-GYN, the fluorescent green intake form on my lap blurred through my teary eyes. As my baby peacefully slept in her car seat beside me, the questions on the form pierced through my thoughts:

"Do you often feel anxious, angry, or sad for no good reason?

Are you able to look forward to tomorrow?

Have you ever had thoughts of harm coming to yourself or your baby?"

My initial instinct was to fib, to hide the truth. But amidst the relentless waves of anxiety, a small, gentle voice inside me whispered, "Be honest."

Until that very moment, I had been unable to acknowledge the undeniable truth that dwelled within my heart: I was grappling with postpartum depression.

They called my name, and I entered the clinic, stepping into the room where my doctor awaited. With genuine concern, she asked, "So, how are you doing?"

Before I could respond, the floodgates burst open. The overwhelming sea of anxiety that had consumed me for weeks engulfed the room, and I found myself sobbing uncontrollably.

Meeting my gaze, my doctor leveled with me, her voice calm and reassuring. She uttered, "I believe you may be experiencing postpartum depression. How do you feel about considering medication?" 

I knew deep down that seeking treatment was necessary, but I wanted to begin with my trusted and tested refuge: movement.

Movement Is Medicine

Now, let me clarify something. Postpartum depression is an incredibly serious condition, and in certain cases, medication is undoubtedly the most appropriate treatment. I understood that. However, I also recognized that physical activity could serve as a catalyst for my recovery.

Although I hadn't received medical clearance to resume exercising, as a Pilates instructor, dancer, and lover of the outdoors, movement had always been my preferred method of stress relief. Being able to exercise again was crucial for my mental well-being. It dawned on me that it wasn't just my body longing for movement; my brain craved it too.

In response to my doctor's inquiry, I mustered the courage to ask, "What about exercise? Can I start moving? Can I hike, run, anything?"

My doctor reached for her prescription pad and began writing. "Exercise, 30 minutes every day," she jotted down. She tore the prescription off the pad and handed it to me.

"Let's give it a try," she suggested. "But I'll be calling to check in. If it doesn't suffice, we can consider medication."

The following day, I tied my hiking boots, leashed my dog, secured my baby in a carrier, and ventured out into the freshly fallen snow for a hike. Each step resonated with therapeutic power. Finally, my body was in motion again, breathing in the crisp air. The erratic thoughts that plagued my mind began to align with the rhythm of my footsteps.

With every stride, my mind grew calmer, fixating more on the sensations coursing through my body in that present moment rather than the fears that plagued my sleepless nights. My body was still in the process of healing, so I moved deliberately and gently. I felt the reawakening of my muscles. I wasn't anywhere close to my peak physical condition, but that fact ceased to matter.

I was moving, and that was sufficient.

There was no contemplation of "losing baby weight" or pushing myself to attain specific goals. My sole focus was on clearing my mind, one step at a time.

Gradually and steadfastly, I ascended that hill, knowing deep within that it marked the commencement of my recovery.

Embrace the Path of Joy

As you navigate your fitness journey, we encourage you to move toward joy. Instead of fixating on the notion of achieving a certain physical appearance or meeting external expectations, prioritize the pursuit of genuine happiness and fulfillment.

Too often, we engage in exercise with a critical inner voice, constantly telling us we are not enough— not strong enough, not thin enough, not motivated enough. This approach only leads to frustration, disappointment, and a sense of failure. It's time to silence that inner critic and embark on a new path.

By starting from a place of acceptance and self-love, you can truly appreciate the transformative power of exercise. A successful fitness journey involves meeting yourself exactly where you are, embracing your current emotions and sensations, rather than fixating on your external appearance. From this perspective, you will tap into the incredible benefits of working in harmony with your body, rather than against it.

In due time, you will come to cherish your own capabilities and strengths, even during the early stages of your journey. With each step, you'll discover a newfound appreciation for your body's resilience and potential.

Join us as we launch Healthline Fitness, a platform dedicated to meeting you exactly where you are on your unique fitness journey. Our goal is to provide you with realistic, attainable fitness goals that align with your lifestyle, whether you're a seasoned athlete or simply curious about exercise.

We firmly believe that fitness is for everybody. That's why we're creating a digital space where everyone can access the support and resources they need. And along the way, we'll challenge the conventional notion that "fit" adheres to a specific mold.

Our team consists of experts in various fields, including certified strength and conditioning coaches, personal and athletic trainers, physical therapists, and biomechanics PhDs. With their expertise, we strive to deliver content that upholds Healthline's unwavering commitment to integrity and evidence-based information.

I take great pride in presenting you with engaging, encouraging, and empowering fitness content. Together, let's embark on a journey filled with joy, self-discovery, and holistic well-being.

Back then, little did I know the profound impact this experience would have on me. In retrospect, I realize that, for the first time, I embarked on a fitness journey driven by the anticipation of what I would gain—a brighter perspective, an uplifted mood, and improved sleep—rather than focusing on what I believed I had to lose.

All too often, we begin our fitness endeavors because we harbor dissatisfaction with certain aspects of ourselves. Frequently, we engage in exercise with the inner critic's voice echoing in our minds, reminding us that we are somehow inadequate—insufficiently strong, not thin enough, lacking in motivation. We convince ourselves that we'll be "more" once we shed those perceived shortcomings.

However, commencing a fitness journey to appease that inner critic, rather than silencing it, often leads to frustration, disappointment, and abandoned commitments. Mentally and physically, we subject ourselves to self-criticism, laboring against our own bodies, striving to conform to someone else's predefined standards. Unsurprisingly, this makes the journey exponentially more challenging.

Instead, what I discovered was that I could truly grasp the myriad benefits that exercise offered me when I approached it from a place of self-acceptance.

A successful fitness journey necessitates meeting yourself exactly where you are in the present moment, embracing your emotions rather than fixating solely on your appearance. With that perspective, you'll be able to unlock the rewards of harmoniously working with your body, rather than against it.

Gradually, and often without even realizing it, you'll come to appreciate the full extent of your capabilities, even when you're just starting out.

Fitness That Fits You

With the introduction of Healthline Fitness, we are thrilled to meet you wherever you may be in your fitness journey. Our purpose is to remind you that fitness is not about what you have to lose, but rather about what you have the potential to gain.

Far too often, the prevailing fitness narrative revolves around weight loss and unrealistic expectations. However, we firmly believe that fitness encompasses so much more. When you engage in movements that bring you joy and fulfillment, you enhance not only your physical and mental well-being, but also your overall outlook, confidence, and resilience. And this is just the beginning. When you discover the kind of movement that truly resonates with you, you will naturally be inspired to continue for years to come.

Whether you are a seasoned athlete or simply curious about incorporating exercise into your life, we are here to meet you at your current stage and assist you in setting achievable, practical fitness goals that align with your lifestyle.

Fitness is inclusive and accessible to all bodies, and our aim is to establish a digital space where everyone can find the support and resources they need. Additionally, we are committed to challenging the notion that "fit" conforms to a specific appearance or standard.

Our team of writers, medical reviewers, and video experts are highly knowledgeable in their respective fields. We have certified strength and conditioning coaches, personal and athletic trainers, physical therapists, and even biomechanics PhDs who contribute content that adheres to Healthline's rigorous medical standards.

I take great pride in delivering integrity and evidence-based fitness content to our audience in an engaging, encouraging, and empowering manner.