With a PhD in Nutrition Science and Policy in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition & Exercise Physiology, Rachele Pojednic knows what she's talking about when it comes to the importance of exercise. With what she describes as "a real marketing problem," exercise is too often associated with weight loss, and physical activity is too important to miss because of bad PR. This episode is not meant to be ableist, sizeist or promoting diet culture. Exercise is really a form of self-love and self-care that has benefits beyond the physical, include those to our mental and emotional health. We talk about: Exercise is not a punishment and needs to be disassociated from weight loss. You change the oil in your car and get it a tune up. Exercise is no different. You need to rev that engine. What counts as exercise? Anything that gets you moving and, yes, dancing and gardening counts. Exercise is something just for you. It can be meditative and spiritual. Find your place on the movement spectrum. Making it routine helps. Be patient; don't give up. BOOK REC: BJ Fogg's TINY HABITS: THE SMALL CHANGES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING. Body awareness. The best exercise is what you love and will keep doing. Excercise for chronic illness, chronic pain and aging. The patience (and humility) required when going from being sedentary to exercising. Newsflash: The 90s are back! (Rollerblading and scrunchies included.) Without stimulus or stress, things are going to change. The truth to, "Move it or lose it!" Finding things (for free) online. Sitting in front of a screen (another reason to get up and move). The power of push-ups. Powerlifting in your 80s. Jane Fonda. Legwarmers. Options for those with disabilities. Adaptive sports. Physical and occupational therapy. Giving yourself grace. Fighting to get insurance codes for exercise. Getting nutrition, exercise, behavior change and self-care taught in medical school (and how Harvard dropped their summer, 3-class course on this...those bastards). Nutrition and exercise are the beginning of medicine, not the last resort. Changing the system. Life and health in rural America. How this is all more complicated than eating better and getting off our asses. 

You can find Rachele on Instagram @rachelepojednic on Facebook @StrongProcess and her website https://rachelepojednic.com

Episode recorded on 06/04/21

Episode released on 06/16/21

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Music: Shower Beer by GG Riggs