Being Intentional with Your Time: Why All Movement Isn't Equal

I recently came across a YouTube short promoting a dance exercise channel. The basic takeaway was that movement should be fun, and why limit yourself to just lifting weights when any exercise is just as good. This got me thinking about the importance of being intentional with our time and fitness goals.

All Movement is Good

I absolutely agree that we should move our bodies more. We live in a society that is explicitly designed to limit our movement. Cities are built around cars instead of walkability, and more jobs are computer-centric and sedentary. Employers often expect longer workdays at the expense of our health and relationships.

Anything we can do to fight back against that trend will pay huge dividends as we age. Whether it's walking, dancing, running, or lifting weights, we need to be doing it all. Movement in any form is beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Not All Movement is Effective

However, the part of the video that bothered me was when the dance instructor showed off her physique, implying that you can look like her by following those workouts. This simply isn't true for most people. Our individual genetics play a big role in how our bodies respond to different types of exercise.

While dance most effective at providing a mood boost, it is not as effective as strength training or steady-state cardio for building muscle or improving cardiovascular fitness. The physical adaptations we see are highly dependent on the specific demands we place on our bodies.

Do What You Must, Not Only What You Enjoy

With limited time in the day, it's important to be intentional about how we spend that time. You should absolutely dance if you enjoy it and find it relieves stress. But if you have specific fitness goals, you need to design your routine around the activities that will most effectively help you achieve those goals.

It's Okay to Be Uncomfortable Sometimes

Exercise can be uncomfortable, boring, and difficult, especially when you're new to it. But showing up and pushing through the discomfort is how we grow, both physically and mentally. The pain and discipline you build will serve you for a lifetime.

So ask yourself - how have you showed up for your health and fitness this week? Remember, it's okay to start small and make mistakes. The important thing is to keep moving forward.