Greetings from latest news : An editor's letter

 Greetings from latest news : An editor's letter

Being fit has nothing to do with your weight. It's about your potential for success.

My enthusiasm for fitness was permanently altered by an incident that happened six weeks following the birth of my second kid.

Staring at the neon green intake form on the clipboard in my lap, I waited in the waiting room of my ob-gyn. I attempted to read the pages through misty eyes as my baby slept soundly in her car seat next to me.

Do you often experience unfounded anxiety, anger, or sadness?

Can you hold off until tomorrow?

Have you ever considered hurting your kid or yourself?

Initially, I wanted to tell a falsehood. But somewhere in the background of my incessantly racing mind, I heard a little, quiet voice saying, "Be honest, it said it."

Up until that point, I was unwilling to acknowledge what I deep down felt to be true: that I was experiencing postpartum depression.

Upon hearing my name, I entered the clinic. "So how are you?" my doctor inquired as she entered the room.

The doors sprang open before my reply could reach them. The room filled with the sea of worry that had been plaguing me for weeks, and I started crying hysterically.

My doctor nodded quietly after examining my eyes. She responded, "I believe you may be suffering from postpartum depression." What is your opinion on beginning a drug regimen?

I wanted to start with my tried-and-true lifesaver, movement, even though I knew I needed to get therapy.

Exercise is medicine

Don't get me wrong, however. Medication may be the best line of therapy for postpartum depression, which is a highly severe diagnosis in many situations. I was aware of it. However, I also understood that exercise would only hasten my recuperation.

Since I've always loved to move, whether it be as a Pilates teacher, dancer, or outdoor explorer, I hadn't received the green light from my doctor to start working out again. For my emotional well-being, exercising was essential. I became aware for the first time that my brain was also itching for movement, in addition to my body.

In response, I said, "How about exercise? Can I continue now? Can I run, stroll, or do anything else?

My physician pulled out his prescription paper and began to write. He wrote, "Work out for 30 minutes every day." He handed it to me, tearing the writing from the pad.

She said, "Let's give it a go." "However, I'll give you a call for a check-up. If it's insufficient, we'll attempt medication."

The next day, I placed my baby in a carrier, laced on my hiking shoes, leashed the dog, and went for a trek in the recently fallen snow. Every stride had a healing quality. At last, I was moving and breathing normally again. My movements started to sync with the whistling of bad ideas in my head.

My thoughts became more in tune with my body's sensations at that precise instant, as opposed to the terror that was keeping me up at night, with each stride. Since my body was still healing, I took my time and pushed ahead gently. My muscles awoke with a start. It did not matter that I was nowhere near peak physical condition.

It was sufficient that I was making progress.

I wasn't considering "losing the baby weight" or placing any kind of pressure on myself to do so. I was simply considering taking things one step at a time, clearing my mind.

As I ascended that hill slowly and steadily, I realized that this was the start of my rehabilitation.

go in the direction of pleasure

I had no clue how much of an influence this encounter would have at the time. Looking back, I see that I was embarking on a fitness path based more on what I imagined I would achieve than what I really thought I would accomplish: a better perspective, a better mood, and better sleep. This was the first time this had happened to me. something I must forfeit.

We often begin exercising because we are self-conscious about something. All too often, when we start an exercise routine, we hear the voice of our inner critic telling us that we are not strong enough, fit enough, or motivated enough. We believe that we shall be overcome if we lose.

However, starting a fitness journey to appease your inner critic rather than quieting it often results in disappointment, frustration, and broken promises. We physically and psychologically abuse ourselves, fighting against our own bodies in an attempt to mold them into the ideal of someone else's creation. In essence, this makes traveling harder.

Rather, I discovered that when I began from a position of acceptance, I was more able to see the benefits that practice may provide.

In order to embark on a great fitness journey, you must accept yourself as you are right now and focus more on your feelings than your appearance. You'll profit from working with your body rather than against it if you take that approach.

You will soon realize—and sometimes even without realizing it—how much you can do, even when you are just getting started.

fitness level that works for you

We can't wait to meet you at any point in your fitness journey as we launch Healthline Fitness. We are here to remind you that being fit is about what you can do, not what you have to give up.

We think there is so much more to fitness than weight reduction and inflated expectations, despite the prevalent narrative around it. Your physical and mental well-being, perspective, bravery, and self-assurance will all increase when you exercise in a manner that makes you feel good, and that's just the start. Because you will inherently want to keep up a movement that inspires you for years to come.

We will meet you where you are in your fitness journey and assist you in reaching practical fitness objectives that fit into your lifestyle, regardless of your level of expertise or level of curiosity in exercise.

Everybody should be fit, and we're building a digital platform where anybody can get the tools and assistance they need. We'll also be challenging the idea that "fit" has a certain appearance as we work on this.

Our film talent, medical reviewers, and authors are professionals in their industries. Content creators adhering to Healthline's medical standards include certified strength and conditioning coaches, personal and sports trainers, physical therapists, and even PhDs in biomechanics.

I'm honored to provide our viewers with honest, fact-based fitness information that is motivating, inspiring, and empowering.

suit it

We're all trying to find a way to fit exercise in, just like you.

We understand how hectic life can be. Nevertheless, you don't need a costly gym membership or a lot of additional time to benefit from exercising. To really follow the "Move More" strategy, all you actually need is your body, space to move, an outside walk, and 22 minutes.

22 minutes—why? It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that we engage in moderate exercise for 150 minutes per week, according to one trustworthy source.

This comes out to around 22 minutes a day when divided by 7. We'll support you in making the commitment to fit in 22 minutes of exercise, and via our articles and emails, we'll provide "fit it in" advice in simple, approachable ways to encourage you to move your body more.

Time and confidence are often the two most barriers to increased fitness. We'll support you in scheduling the time to include exercise into your daily routine and provide you with the knowledge you need to feel at ease and secure doing so.

To put it simply, we're dedicated to assisting you in discovering the level of fitness that suits you, and we look forward to seeing all the opportunities that present themselves.

We appreciate you coming along for the ride. You feel better now than you did before.