How to exercise intuitively

To start with, change the language. “We think of ‘exercise’ as repetitive movements like running or classes where you’re repeating things over and over again. But the concept of ‘movement’ is quite open and it means you can fit a lot of things into it,” says Tally.

Then, make all movement equal. “Challenge the fitness beliefs, like when people say yoga isn’t a valid workout or your inner monologue says you didn’t sweat enough so it didn’t count,” Tally continues. “Making peace with exercise is about knowing that there aren’t good workouts or bad workouts, there’s just different ways of moving your body and they have different outcomes.”

Focusing on the benefits of exercise that don’t include aesthetic goals is easier said than done, but it’s an important step. Reel says that outside messages don’t promote intuition, and that means questioning everything you see. In an Instagram post shared by Tally, she suggested avoiding these external cues about the quality of your workout by covering calorie counters of cardio machines and taking breaks when your body wants one, not when the teacher says they’re allowed.

Intuitive exercise: how to take the pressure off your fitness regime