Ugh!!! I grunted like a gym-bro as I flung my body and 25+ lb backpack over a fallen log 2.5 feet in diameter on a 40 degress slope.

"Why am I doing this - again?!?!"

"Why am I putting my body's comfort at risk in the name of friendship?"

Don't get me wrong. My friends are my family. I'd do almost anything for them.

But at 46, with a degenerative disc in my lower back, I have to choose my outdoor adventures and movement wisely.

We climbed up a long, steep trail that burned in a wildfire 4 years ago and has seen little to no trail maintenance since.

As I clung to the nobs on the surface of the log where the branches once were, and swung my body and pack below it, my hips and back popped and creaked.

"Was a 50th birthday really worth this?" I wondered

"Nothing 3 months of physical therapy can't fix", I told myself as we persevered to the top of the 5-mile climb, reveling in the few flat traverses and finally getting above tree line.

Here's a shocker, Reader.

Did you know exercise can be more than "something you should do" to reduce the number on the scale?

It can be about connecting to your body and people you care about while you increase strength, flexibility, mobility, and endurance - all of which improve your health in midlife.

Last week, we talked about the importance of leading with satisfaction and variety when choosing your meals and snacks.

Satisfaction and variety are also important with movement.

Moving your body in a variety of ways helps reduce injury and increases motivation because you don't get bored with the same exercise on repeat.

When you find movement or exercise you enjoy, you'll do the activity consistently, which builds body confidence and self-empowerment - the badass effect.

And if you're not enjoying the activity, switch it up, pivot - even if a friendship is involved!

True friends will get it and be supportive of body changes in this season of life.

I don't love climbing over huge trees with a fully loaded pack on 40-degree slopes.

But I love cruisy overnight trips to gorgeous swimming lakes and doing long, endurance day hikes. That type of movement keeps my body and mind happy. This is what "movement for more" is all about.

You can hear more about "movement for more" in this episode of the Savor Food and Body Podcast​

If you're looking for online personal training programs or videos without a diet culture agenda, here are my top 3 choices:

Jamie Carbaugh, Fitragamuffin Movement Channel​

​Christine Chessman, personal trainer inside the Midlife Feast Community

​My Peak Challenge, a blend of strength training, yoga, meditation, and Pilates
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Enjoy your weekend savoring food and your body!

Amanda

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PS: Satisfaction and variety are essential with movement. Variety helps reduce injury and increases motivation because you don't get bored with the same exercise on repeat. When you find movement or exercise you enjoy, you'll do the activity consistently, which builds body confidence and self-empowerment - the badass effect. Learn more about the "movement for more" philosophy in this archive episode of the Savor Food and Body Podcast.​