The Difference Between Movement and Exercise: The Road to Blood Clot Recovery
Did you know there is a difference between movement and exercise?
It’s a difference I didn’t understand (or appreciate) until my second pulmonary embolism made walking to the front door exhausting - elevating my heart rate and covering my steps in frustration and tears.
Movement is any physical activity that involves the body changing position or moving. This could include walking, stretching, dancing, gardening, doing household chores…ALL activities that move your blood and help reduce sedentary habits in our lives.
Exercise is a planned, structured, repetitive physical activity to improve or maintain physical fitness or a specific fitness goal. This could include running, weightlifting, swimming, or attending a fitness class.
It’s a subtle difference but one that women can struggle with because we are bombarded with the message that movement and exercise equals the right to eat certain foods or as a way to punish ourselves because we ate the wrong food.
But what if we shifted our mindset from punishing and shrinking our bodies to using movement and exercise to celebrate the strength of survivorship and the opportunity to improve our health and reduce our blood clot risks along the way?
The Benefits of Movement and Exercise After Blood Clots: How It Impacts Women’s Health
Shifting our mindset from weight loss as the sole benefit of movement and exercise can help break unhealthy behaviors and negative relationships around movement and exercise.
More importantly, a small shift in mindset can help us focus on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of movement and exercise that many women struggle with as blood clot survivors:
Enhanced Mood: Movement and Exercise can help combat depression, anxiety, and stress, improving your overall mental well-being. Physical activity is a natural stress reliever, releasing endorphins that have mood-boosting effects.
Increased Energy: Regular physical activity can boost your energy levels, even if you're starting with low energy and fatigue that often comes with VTE recovery.
Better Sleep: Movement and exercise can improve your sleep quality, which is crucial for blood clot recovery and overall health for women.
Types of Movement and Exercise
There are many different ways to incorporate movement and exercise into your life. My best blood clot survivor wisdom is to define your health goals, then work with your healthcare team and consider a certified fitness trainer to develop a plan to get you there safely, sustainably, and with a bit of enjoyment along the way - ESPECIALLY if you are new to exercise or have any physical limitations
BONUS TIP FOR BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS:
Most of us have received the “listen to your body” advice when approaching our docs about a return to movement and exercise. I had zero desire to listen to my body because I didn’t fully trust it after both of my pulmonary embolisms, but if your doctor has given you the green light, don’t underestimate the power of walking on your body and mind.
Walking is a great way to get started, and it's accessible to most people. Start where you are. Don’t worry about time or pace (those come later) - just start slow and messy!
IMPORTANT NOTE ON MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND MENOPAUSE AS A BLOOD CLOT SURVIVOR
No matter how you’ve decided to navigate menopause with guidance from your care team, the lifestyle pillar of movement and exercise is foundational, but it becomes CRITICAL if your risks outweigh the benefits of hormone therapy (menopause hormone therapy)
Why movement and exercise is important for women navigating menopause and beyond:
- Build muscle and strength
- Improve bone health and density
- Improves core strength, posture, balance, flexibility and mobility
- Reduce hot flashes, night sweats
- Reduces stress, manages mood changes
- Boosts metabolism to help maintain a healthy weight
Putting this Knowledge Into Action:
Embrace movement as a celebration of your body and a vital part of your blood clot recovery, prevention and future health journey.
Find activities you enjoy, work with health care professionals to set realistic goals, and listen to your body.
Remember, every step you take is a step towards a healthier, happier you.
Join our women’s only community to find an accountability partner and share or gather helpful tips!
