CARDIO-LESS

Being healthy involves your body, mind and spirit. Achieving these components in a balanced way is never easy, but when you are also recovering from an eating disorder, it makes finding peace and balance with your body that much harder. Today I want to share with you one of the ways I’ve greatly improved my recovery in regards to fitness. I’ve been using Kayla Itsines guides and am currently on week 7. Her guides go all the way to week 24 and are only 28 minutes long. But with that being said, they are some of the hardest 28 minutes I’ve ever done. Struggling with a long history of exercise addiction, anorexia, binge eating disorder and bulimia, it has been hard to figure out how to make exercise enjoyable again and make peace with my body. I was getting caught up doing endless cardio for unnecessary reasons that left me feeling weak and burnt out, both mentally and physically.

I finally decided enough was enough. I have been so inspired by Kayla and her honesty, down to earth attitude and desire for supporting others that I decided to give her guides a try. I was terrified at first! Only 28 minutes? Weights? Abs? Resistance training? Without writing a novel, these guides have in part saved me. I look forward to exercise again, everyday is different, I am genuinely challenged, my flexibility, strength and endurance have never been better, and I have a baby six-pack! But most importantly I feel strong, healthy, proud of my body and I feel happy. It’s what has changed for me mentally that has been the greatest gift of all.

Girls, don’t be afraid of weights and don’t be afraid of giving up the marathon cardio sessions. My body has shown more positive change in just 7 weeks than it did with years spent only doing cardio. I can’t wait to finish the first 12-week guide and move to weeks 13-24 and then repeat them all over. No gym required and you don’t need equipment if you are creative. Find what works for you and don’t be afraid to try something new. Kayla, I am forever grateful for your impact on my recovery, health, body, mind and life. ~Britt