How do I move more when my work requires me to sit so much?

Okay, so in all honesty, this question comes from me and not a client.

My work requires a lot of sitting.
Zoom meetings.
Writing and computer work.
Reading and studying.
Even my work with clients as a craniosacral therapy practitioner.

And here’s the other honest part: I do not enjoy exercising for the sake of exercising.

I’ve tried many things over the years, and nothing seems to stick. Either I hate it so much that I’m not motivated to be consistent (running. ugh.), or I end up hurting myself and have to stop anyway.

It was somewhat easier when my son was younger. Getting movement into my day felt natural and fun. Shooting hoops in the driveway. Playing a “hand-ball” game we made up. Kicking a soccer ball around our field. It was play...exercise that came with laughter instead of discipline.

These days look different.

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​Thankfully, I’m blessed to live on almost three acres of land, with a two-acre field. My husband keeps a small labyrinth mowed in the grass for me, and I’m out there at least twice a day with the dogs. And occasionally we get out for longer hikes.

That's my most favorite kind of movement!
The kind of movement that comes easily for me.

What movements already come easy to you in your life?
Notice how it feels in your body to move without thinking about "exercise" or rules...

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What I’m realizing is that I prefer the word movement to exercise.

​Exercise feels like work.
Something with a lot of rules.
Something I have to schedule.
Something that takes time away from things I want to be doing.

Movement, on the other hand, feels like something I can weave into my day.

Let’s be honest...I’m not going to go to a gym. I’m not going to jog down my road. I’m most likely not even going to use the treadmill in our living room that a friend gave us…nor the home gym/cable machine thing folded and taking up space in another room (also given to us by a friend, probably for the same reason. lol.)

So the real question becomes:

How do I find ways to intentionally move more in my daily life?
And yes, maybe even make time for specific movements (exercises 😫) that help strengthen weak muscles and reduce pain and discomfort.

Recently, my spiritual teacher shared the idea of “exercise snacks.” I’m going to tweak that slightly and call them movement snacks.

The idea is simple: when I'm already waiting for something, can I move?

For example, while I’m cooking dinner and waiting for water to boil - instead of looking for something in the cupboard to snack on, could I do a simple movement? A stretch? A yoga pose? A few intentional breaths paired with gentle motion?

How can I move more without committing to an actual exercise routine?

It’s outside my scope of practice to offer exercises to clients, but I imagine some ideas are already coming to mind for you. Maybe you’ve been in physical therapy and have a few simple movements you were given. Maybe you’re familiar with yoga and have a handful of poses you love, or ones you know your body would benefit from practicing.

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None of this is meant to replace more formal practices like strength training or cardio. I know those matter. But we all have to start somewhere.

So what if we got creative about incorporating more movement into our lives, especially for those of us whose work or lifestyle keeps us more sedentary?

​This is a relatively new way of thinking for me.
And honestly?
I love it.
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Happy snacking! 🌟