As a type 1 diabetes parent, you’re balancing so much! Finding time to move your body can be challenging, but the benefits are immense for your body, mind, and spirit. Incorporating more movement into your day can:

• Enhance blood sugar regulation
• Improve circulation
• Stimulate digestion
• Increase immunity
• Boost productivity, mental clarity, and focus
• Strengthen bones, muscles, and tissues
• Improve mood
• Enhance sleep quality

Remember, movement is not about perfection. You don’t need to work out seven days a week to achieve vibrant health. It’s about honoring your body and finding what works best for YOU. Movement should be enjoyable and life-giving, not draining.

As a type 1 diabetes parent, movement is an essential tool in your self-care toolbox. Even ten minutes of movement helps refill us physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Today’s post will highlight four ways to maintain your motivation to exercise. When our motivation remains high, we’re better able to prioritize our health and wellbeing. Let’s get started!

Tip #1: What Is Your Why?

Before starting any exercise, take a moment to ask yourself why you want to move your body. Is it to feel stronger and more comfortable in your skin? Or to serve as a role model for your children and family?

Understanding your motivation is key. A health coach can help you identify whether your motivation is intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic motivators come from within, like running for the pure joy it brings.

Extrinsic motivators come from outside, such as trophies, medals, or appearance goals. There’s no right or wrong motivator. You might start exercising to look good and eventually find you love your body more deeply. I see these powerful transformations every day in my coaching practice.

Knowing your why is crucial to dedicating time and energy to movement.

Tip #2: What Do You Enjoy?

It may seem simple, but finding movement you enjoy is crucial. Too often, we exercise based on outside pressures like social media or friends’ routines instead of what truly makes us happy. Focus on YOU. What do you like?

I’ve been guilty of forcing myself to “like” certain exercises. For years, I played soccer and loved running because it was part of the game and I enjoyed the compliments from coaches regarding my fitness level (a classic example of extrinsic motivation). However, when I stopped playing soccer and tried running for fun, I didn’t love it. Every step felt forced, and I wasn’t having fun.

Since then, I’ve explored other types of movement beyond running. Personally, I love walking, HIIT workouts, and strength training, but I’ve also enjoyed pilates and barre over the years. It all comes back to YOU.

Reflect on what you enjoy about your current routine. Is there anything you’d like to change? Commit to making one small change this week and watch the magic unfold!

Here I’m teaching Pure Barre fitness classes as I transitioned away from running. I always encourage my clients to experiment!

Tip #3: Honor Where You Are

This tip is incredibly important! Just like life, our exercise habits ebb and flow. It’s vital to honor where you are along your journey. Since becoming a mom, my movement habits have changed significantly.

I no longer have time for group fitness classes, and that’s perfectly okay. I’ve learned to pivot and have made small changes to my home environment to create a great setup for working out at home.

Or maybe you’re a recently diagnosed T1D family. This time in your life demands a lot. As a type one diabetes parent, your world has turned upside down, and you’re juggling a significant amount – from countless doctors’ appointments to getting up the learning curve with diabetes management. Plus, it can be an incredibly emotional time for the entire family.

Now more than ever, movement may be a great tool to support self-care. It’s okay if your movement habits need to change. Maybe you’re unable to exercise for 60 minutes, and all you can do is 5. That’s okay, and remember to honor where you are today.

Tip #4: Simplify!

When it comes to movement, the pressure to spend hours working out and dripping sweat for it to “count,” can be overwhelming. But let’s shift our perspective and see movement as a form of self-care. Let’s simplify!

Start by integrating movement into your daily routine. It could be a family walk or a few yoga poses in your pajamas while waiting for the coffee to brew.

My husband also works a really demanding job with long hours. With his current schedule, we’ve learned the value of simplifying our approach to movement, but we still prioritize exercise as it’s a critical tool for his diabetes management.

As a family, we kick-start our days with high-vibe music and incorporate simple movement before getting ready. We keep a set of 10-pound weights under the couch for easy access, or we do 10 push-ups or squat jumps. Keeping it simple has helped us maintain high motivation and enjoy movement throughout the day!

How can you simplify your movement routine?

A New Way To Move

When it comes to movement, let’s find a sweet spot in the middle. Instead of seeing exercise as just another task, let’s enjoy the rhythm of moving our bodies! Whether it’s a morning stroll, a midday stretch, or a dance party with the family, movement can happen anytime, anywhere, and at any age—so why not involve your loved ones too?

By easing off the pressure and simply being present in our bodies, we can truly relish the experience of movement. Let go of worrying about the length of a workout or achieving specific results. Instead, tune into how your body feels, find joy in the process, and let movement be a source of replenishment rather than depletion.

What’s one gentle way you can nurture your body with movement this week? Remember, you’re already doing amazing. And if you’re seeking more support, Type Won Coaching™ is here for you.

Explore the benefits of health coaching and our services by reaching out to hello@typewoncoaching.com or sending us a message. It’s a privilege to witness transformations on the diabetes journey and beyond, and I’d be honored to embark on that journey with you.

Until we connect again, sending heaps of love to you and your family!

Allee

This blog is made for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. The information in this blog is not intended to (1) replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified licensed healthcare provider, (2) create or establish a provider-patient relationship, or (3) create a duty for us to follow up with you.