Movement Snacks: My summer movement hasn't been what I expected


Hey Reader,

This summer I had some big plans for movement and a dialed back schedule. I totally thought I'd have all sorts of time to work on some of my movement goals, despite being in a place without the same workout equipment.

I brought my tap board to the lake and thought I'd be practicing daily.

I brought my bands to work on my pull-ups and thought I'd bust them out e few times a week.

Since I'd scaled back on work, I thought I'd be hiking at least once a week with my kids but maybe more often.

And I was sure I'd be on my paddleboard as often as possible, paddling around the lake and combining lake time with solo time.

Our time at the lake isn't quite over but things have not quite gone as I though they would.

This leads me to my Movement Snack this week.


Movement Snack this week:

Sometimes things don't go as planned.

I brought all of the stuff -- the tap board, my bands -- but making it happen was hard. It was extra buggy outside this summer and we closed off the faster, easier access to the front yard where the pull-up bars are, both of which discouraged me from doing pull-ups.

I left my tap board out and ready to use, trying to make it easy to tap. But my kids slept really late most days. Later than I usually exercise and move my body. Trying to tap in the middle of the day felt harder and less possible. I managed it a few times but not as often as I'd have liked.

But despite not doing these things (or as much hiking or paddleboarding), I still moved my body. I just tailored it to what did actually work for me at the lake.

I did more strength exercises that I could adapt to using lighter weights that still challenged my body. I did more bodyweight strength that felt challenging and fun. I ran 3 times a week, most weeks and jumped in the lake after to cool off. I did a little bit of yoga.

I still moved my body everyday because it's my habit to move.

I think the takeaway is that having a solid habit of daily movement is helpful. And maybe next summer, I can keep my expectations reasonable and bring less stuff.

It's ok to not bring every aspect of your movement practice with you on vacation. As some folks who are finishing up my Power of One program have discovered, maybe you just bring one thing and keep movement simple -- that way you're not giving up movement entirely, just adapting it to a more chaotic schedule or a schedule that is more relaxed.

I'd love to know what your movement practice looks like on vacation or over the summer.

Maybe you're doing more walking and not much else. Or if you're traveling, maybe you're exploring hotel gyms. Or maybe you're spending a lot of time running back and forth through the sprinkler and calling it good.

How does your movement practice adapt to your needs?

And if you're struggling to make movement happen and you wish you were moving more, maybe I can help.

I have space in my schedule for 2 private clients.

I specialize in tailoring creating movement routines for women with limited time and a no interest in boring movement practices. If you need support in building a solid habit of daily movement, I'd love to help.

If you have questions, respond to this email and ask!


Question of the week:

What is your favorite summer read so far? (I'll share mine when I hear yours)


I look forward to hearing about your favorite summer read and hopefully see you on the mat soon, too!

Warmly,

Naomi

Want to stay in touch during the week? Here are a 2 easy ways:

Follow me on Bluesky, where I share daily movement practices as acts of resistance, connection, and strength.

Follow me on substack, where I write about the intersection of movement, motherhood, and the culture that we are all moving through. Or better yet, subscribe so you have immediate access to regular essays, including my most recent substack which is about the parenting rules I break and advice I ignore. It's not advice from me to other moms. It's just a peek into the choices I make and what currently works for me as a parent of 3 wild, wonderful kids. You can read it here.

As always, if you'd like to support my writing, you can do that by simply reading and liking my pieces on substack. Even better, comment on them and share them with those who might love them, too. And of course the best way to support my work is with a paid subscription, which allows me to continue to do the writing I love and be compensated for my work.

Naomi Gottlieb-Miller

Naomi combines playful, powerful movement practices with the science of habit change to make it easier for busy moms to get moving every day. She frequently writes about the intersection of mom life, feminism, diet culture, and the unrealistic standards we hold ourselves to as women. Naomi is passionate about helping moms move more freely in their bodies and feel more at home in their skin.

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