What if we just exercised for the sake of it?

 

I attend Zumba classes on average three times a week. In addition to aerobic exercise, our classes also incorporate other forms of movement such as boxing, squats, lunges and donkey kicks. A total body workout.

I often post videos of my workout sessions on social media, and one of the most common questions I’m asked is “How come you’re always trying to lose weight?” The videos with boxing content attract questions like “Who are you preparing to fight?”  Why are people so dramatic?

I get it, the weight loss narrative is quite pervasive.  On social media we're constantly bombarded with “fat-burning workouts,” “calorie-torching routines,” and “slim-down plans.” No wonder then that for many people exercise only serves one purpose: weight loss.

I started out my journey wanting to lose weight, and I did. And there is nothing wrong with that. It’s what you do afterwards that really matters.

My Zumba instructor Cynthia is one of the fittest and most consistent people I know when it comes to working out. On top of the classes she leads, she also works out at the gym regularly.

Like me, Cynthia started out wanting to lose weight. “First, I worked out to lose weight, and I obsessively did that. In the process, I actually began to love the way I felt while working out, and eventually, it became a lifestyle thing for me. Once you begin to understand what you are doing, you stop looking at the aesthetics and focus more on understanding your body,” she says.

And that right there is the point I’m trying to make.

The benefits of exercise extend far beyond weight loss and the ideal body size.

 

The  science backs this up:

 

Regular exercise offers both physical and mental benefits:

 

Boosts mood and reduces anxiety: Just 20 minutes of moderate movement can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by increasing endorphins and serotonin levels.

Improves sleep quality: Regular exercise helps regulate your circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.

Strengthens your heart and lungs: Cardiovascular exercise improves endurance, circulation, and lowers the risk of heart disease.

Enhances brain function: Physical activity improves memory, focus, and even creativity. It literally makes your brain work better.

Supports bone and joint health: Strength training and weight-bearing exercises help prevent osteoporosis and maintain mobility as we age.

Increases energy levels: Ironically, moving your body more can reduce fatigue and increase your overall vitality.

None of these benefits depend on the number on the scale!

Finding joy in movement

I have seen people give up after months of working out, just because the number on the scale did not shift. And just like that, all that progress goes out the window.  For others, exercise becomes like a punishment: “Oh I ate so much cake at the weekend, I need to hit the gym.”

When weight loss is the only reason we exercise, and when we use exercise to punish ourselves for how we eat or don’t eat, we are truly setting ourselves up for failure and denying our bodies the overall and more long lasting impacts of exercise and movement.

 “There is nothing as beautiful as feeling strong and fit. There is a sense of empowerment when you gain that strength and realise how it also helps mentally. After a workout your mind is clear enough to help you think through some of the stressful bits of your life. Basically, working out to me has become an activity so natural that I find myself doing it whether I feel like it or not,” Cynthia says.

As for me, I look forward to my weekly dose of Zumba; the upbeat music, and Latin rhythms of salsa, merengue, reggaeton and cumbia, with a touch of afrobeat. There’s nothing quite like it.

I truly hope we can stop equating “fitness” with body size and start celebrating what our bodies can do. Let’s value exercise, in whatever form for how it improves our lives. Zumba may not be for everyone; what matters most is movement. Walking, running, boxing, whatever floats your boat you do it. 

So next time you see a video of me throwing an upper cut, don’t ask who I am preparing to fight. I’m simply enjoying exercise and the positive effect it has on all aspects of my life, not just my waist line.

By Martha Songa