Ever been frustrated that you were *doing everything right* in terms of food and exercise and yet you were STILL not losing weight?
Infuriating, isn’t it?
It’s a common experience, and it is so disheartening that it raises the “why bother?” question, tempting you to let your diligent efforts fall away for lack of evidence of reward.
If you find yourself in this scenario, chances are what’s missing is the counter-intuitive yet essential ingredient — pleasure.
Fortunately this week’s video is here to remedy that problem…
Most people don’t realize this, but there’s a metabolic difference between eating healthily and feeling deprived and resentful about it, versus eating healthily without feeling forced into it and truly enjoying every bite.
The difference is this: the deprived resentful version creates a low level stress state in your body which causes it to resist slimming down.
The non-resentful version generates a state that gives your body a metabolic boost signaling it’s OK to let go of no longer needed stores of fat.
In case it’s not obvious, it’s the version with more pleasure that’s better for you.
Same thing goes for fitness.
Most people don’t realize if you’re going through the motions of exercising, but you’re bored or resentful or feeling obligated, that you’re cheating your body of a large part of the benefit, and that you’re at risk of not getting the results you want.
On the other hand, the more seconds, minutes, and hours you log being present with the living, breathing creature that is your female body, engaged in movement you’re actually curious about, the more slimming down will be, as the saying goes, a piece of cake.
This week’s video brings you an example of how to upgrade from a (yawn) dull or even worse, mind-numbing workout to an inspirational, motivational, pleasurable embodiment practice that will sculpt your body as it soothes your mind.
Plus you’ll get to meet one of my favorite fitness instructors on the planet and experience her “Shrink Session” first hand.
Check out the video, try it out yourself, and leave me a comment,
Love,
Jena
P.S. The next occasion you have to work with me live is at my Pleasure Camp at Omega Institute on July 1 – 6, 2012. It’s a 5-day retreat at Omega’s gorgeous “Pleasure Campus” in Rhinebeck, NY, with beautiful nature, delicious healthy food, yoga, tai chi, saunas, ecstatic dancing, incredible people and more. Click here to learn all about it and access a free pre-Camp training call.
Love,
Jena xo
New York, New York
Mirabai
Dear Jenna,
This was the best video EVER! I really vibed with Erin immediately, and even though I don’t live in New York City, I would love to do a class with her! Thank you for introducing me to such great people!
Please tell Erin that if she did a video of her Shrink Session class, I would buy it in a heartbeat!
Here’s a personal note: I used to do martial arts — where there is a certain flow of movements you do in a pattern. I loved how I could lose myself in mindfully doing each pattern… for an hour at a time! It was deeply pleasurable. I think Erin’s Shrink Session, with its flow of movements, could be just like that… a high-energy moving meditation. I hope she records it!
Love and blessings,
Mirabai
Jane
wow, it’s a ‘love workout’ in heals!! who needs gym shoes! Thanks Erin, just beautiful!
Where ever there are stairs to climb, I find myself quitely singing ” shake, shake, shake, shake your booty, shake your booty” it gives my behind an instant lift.
Erin Stutland
Thanks so much Mirabai and Jane:)
There is a digital workout coming in May that you will be able to download and do at home.
You can always sign up for a free workout in my website in the meantime:)
http://Www.erinstutland.com
Look forward to sharing more
Workouts with u!
Xo
Erin
Jane
oops, I meant HEELS not heals, but then you will heal doing this type of wonderful body movment too!
Jena
Thanks, Mirabai and Jane. Glad this hit the spot for you. Great to hear from you.
xo Jena
Alexandra
Hey Jena,
I haven’t tried out what was on the video just yet, but I wanted to speak to what you said about finding pleasure in moving the body. Many months ago (and for many months) I was on an exercise “regimine” which consisted of me approaching each workout with heavy sighs and frustration in order to shed 10 lbs off my body. Well, that didn’t work so I’ve recently started taking your advice and I’ve been attempting to enjoy myself in my workouts. In the last few months this led me to yoga’s door, and I must say that I have fallen in love. Each class lends me different insight and perspective about various things, and I don’t even notice when there is difficulty associated. I’ve even started to tap into my “sexy”!
In addition to that, I have started to find my love of jogging again but in a different way. I refuse to run because I “have to”, and instead I’ve decided to “frolic”. During my jogs, I climb small trees in the park, I swing on any swings I pass, and move my body however it desires.
Once you find pleasure, it just doesn’t get better.
Thanks for all your suggestions 🙂 Can’t wait to try out the video!
Erin
Hi ladies-
Thanks for such wonderful feedback on the workout. @mirabai, there is an at home digital workout coming this May! You will be able to do this kind of workout at more in your own home;)
In the meantime, if you want to download a really fun playlist with spoken affirmations (great for running, walking, biking) you can download it here. I made it for my clients and they are loving it:) http://erinstutland.com/freebie/
@Jane + @Alexandra, sounds like you are both already moving from a place of total joy! I commend you. Keep it up:)
xo
Erin
Jena la Flamme
Thanks, Alexandra, “frolic” I love it! I’m thrilled you are implementing so powerfully and seeing results. Bowing to the desires of your wise female animal…
Heather
Loved this workout piece – Erin is fabulous and makes toning your body actually fun. I love what you said Jena about cheating your body out of part of the benefit when you exercise out of obligation — whenever I sign up for any kind of “weight loss challenge” at the gym I notice I end up worse off than I was before I started. Going back to doing movement just for the fun of it helps the weight fall off without even thinking about it!