How to Spell Exercise...

Hi Byte Wellness Fam!

If you’ve asked yourself “should I go to the gym” in the last month, you need to read this.

In our #PhyteWellWednesdays this week, our discussion question sparked more giggles and jokes than ever before. I’m talking about Black women showing unbridled joy! And I don’t know about you all, but I need so much more of that in my life!

To get in on the magic, check out the “Movement for Wellness-part 2” workshop recording in the PhyteWell private community.

Should I Go To The Gym?

We’ve been told that exercise is “good for us” our whole lives. But, we shrink its value. I mean, we need movement for more than just losing weight or getting into shape. According to research summarized by the CDC, regular physical activity (even walking) is linked to lower initial and recurrent cancer risk across these 7 different common cancers:

• Breast Cancer

• Endometrial Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Bladder Cancer

• Esophageal Cancer

• Stomach Cancer

• Colorectal Cancer

  Lower initial risk of cancer means we’re less likely to get one of those cancers to begin with.

  Lower recurrent risk means if we have already had one of these types of cancer and we’ve been treated, and it’s in remission, it’s less likely to come back. Moving on a regular basis can do all that!

How Do You Spell Exercise?

J-O-Y…

Movement doesn’t have to look and feel like exercise to have a positive effect.

When kids jump rope, play “It” and climb trees, they’re not trying to exercise. They’re just having fun. They’re moving in ways that feel good. Somewhere along the way to adulthood, we lose that connection between movement and joy.

Suddenly we see movement as working out, a chore, just another item on the already-overwhelming to-do list.

We already know that movement does so much good for us, physically, spiritually, psychologically. As you’ll see if you watch the workshop recording, just talking about moving can lift our spirits.

So, how do we find a way to move more? We have to get back to that fun feeling!

Check out the discussion question below to see how you can use joy to unlock the healing power of movement.

Discussion Questions

• What was your favorite physical activity as a kid? Why? What types of movement make you happiest now?

Happy Healthy Living,

Dr. Wuse