Why I Stopped Saying “Exercise” (and You Might Want To, Too)

For years, I thought “exercise” meant gritting my teeth through something I didn’t enjoy. It meant dragging myself to a gym, counting reps, and feeling like it “didn’t count” unless I left drenched in sweat. Exercise, to me, was punishment — a way to atone for what I’d eaten or how I looked.

I know I’m not alone in that. The wellness industry has turned “exercise” into a moral obligation. It’s tied to unrealistic body standards, “before and after” photos, and the idea that health has a certain look. For many of us, the word carries the weight of shame, comparison, and “should.”

At some point, I realized this wasn’t helping me — in fact, it was making me move less. Every time I skipped a workout, I felt guilty. And guilt doesn’t make anyone feel motivated. So I tried something different: I stopped saying “exercise” altogether.

Instead, I started using the word movement.
Movement doesn’t have a specific uniform, equipment, or location. It can be a walk with a friend, stretching before bed, playing tag with your kids, dancing in your kitchen, or even reorganizing a room. Movement can be gentle, joyful, or spontaneous. It doesn’t have to be tracked, measured, or “earned.”

That shift in language mattered. When I stopped chasing someone else’s definition of fitness and started listening to my own body, I noticed something: I wanted to move more. Without the pressure of perfection, it became about curiosity instead of compliance.

Words matter. They shape the way we see ourselves and what we believe we’re capable of. By re-framing “exercise” as “movement,” you open the door to a more compassionate, sustainable relationship with your body — one that isn’t about meeting an industry’s expectations, but about honoring your own needs. That said - if you love going to the gym and that’s your jam - carry on. If the term exercise seems more like obligation than enjoyment, this is for you.

This week’s invitation: Try swapping the word “exercise” for “movement” in your own mind. Notice if the shift feels lighter, less pressured, or more welcoming. This is the first step toward making peace with movement — releasing old expectations and opening space for a gentler, more trusting relationship with your body. In Part 2, we’ll explore how to rebuild that relationship in a way that feels good for you.