Took a Year to Accept "Hating Exercise"

If you, like me, roll your eyes at the word "exercise," we might be on the same page. For a year, I wrestled with myself: Does not going to the gym or running marathons mean I'm being irresponsible to my body? Does not liking to sweat or lift weights mean I'm lazy?

The answer is—no.

It took me a year to slowly accept the fact: I really don't like exercise. It's not that I haven't tried it; on the contrary, I've tried it all. Yoga, running, HIIT, strength training, cycling... At first, I was enthusiastic, buying gear and making plans. But after three days of the heat, the equipment was gathering dust, and the gym membership was a waste of money. Every time I forced myself to exercise, I complained. Exercise should be relaxing, but for me, it felt like a burden.

Until one day, I stopped and asked myself: Why do I have to follow everyone else's way to stay healthy? Is being healthy only about sweating myself to death?

So, I began to try to adjust my mindset. Exercise doesn't have to be the standard routines others see; it can be a rhythm that suits me. That year, I set a very modest goal: a 30-minute walk every day, or 15 minutes of stretching before bed. No intense effort, no fancy moves, just a way to stretch my body and breathe more freely.

The results surprised me.

My daily walks have become my little joys. When work pressures get intense, I put on my headphones, listen to some R&B or gospel music, and pace my body to the beat of a walk in the neighborhood park. The wind blowing through my hair is more relaxing than any moment on the treadmill. Stretching before bed has become a relaxing ritual. Stretching my arms, back, and legs makes me feel more relaxed the next day.

More importantly, I no longer feel "not good enough." Health shouldn't be a source of anxiety, but a way to achieve self-harmony. When I take care of my body in the simplest ways, I truly begin to enjoy being with myself.

Ladies, let's be honest. As Black women, we already bear so much pressure in society. We have to juggle work, family, social life, and always look our best. We don't need to impose the shackles of "must love exercise" on ourselves. Your health doesn't need to be defined by others.

For example, some people find strength through weightlifting, while others, like me, find peace in a leisurely walk. Just like wearing wigs, some prefer sleek, straight hair, while others prefer natural curls. The key isn't the style, but whether it makes you feel comfortable and confident. A few days ago, I went for a walk wearing a Burmese curly wig from the glueless lace wigs series. I effortlessly achieved a natural look, with full, voluminous curls and a vibrant look. When my bestie saw me, she was amazed at how natural and stylish the wig looked. We walked down the street, chatting and laughing, and that sense of ease is the truest form of health.

This year, I've also discovered that health is a holistic experience, not a discrete behavior. It encompasses what you eat, how well you sleep, how you manage stress, and how you treat yourself. For me, eating well, sleeping well, and feeling good are far more important than forcing myself to run a 5-kilometer run.

Even better, once I let go of the pressure of "having to exercise," I'm actually more likely to get moving. I'd go shopping with friends on weekends and rack up over 10,000 steps. Sometimes, when I'm in a good mood, I'll dance to some music in the living room. That kind of spontaneous exercise helps me stick with it longer than a check-in-the-box fitness routine.

Ladies, if you're like me and don't enjoy exercise, don't blame yourself. There are many ways to stay healthy. Walking, stretching, dancing, even simply drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of rest are all ways to show love for your body. You can definitely find your own way.

It took me a year to accept that I "don't enjoy exercise," but that doesn't stop me from loving my body and taking care of it. Because health isn't a competition, it's a long-term relationship with yourself.

So, stop beating yourself up about not hitting the gym regularly. As long as you stretch your body and relax your mind every day, you're already living a healthy life.