starting my fitness journey all over again... (after a long break & a ROUGH year) | joyful movement

for today's video, we're chatting all about starting my fitness journey all over again... (after a long break & a ROUGH year) | joyful movement! i've had an up and down relationship with exercise for most of my life, but this year i'm getting back into it and re-starting my exercise journey! we're going to talk about which workouts i'm doing, exercise and ADHD, my fitness goals, why i'm doing this for myself, and more! hope you enjoy xoxoxo

0:00 wtf is joyful movement?
1:38 my history with exercise
2:24 this year feels different
3:12 2023 was rough…(why i started up again)
3:43 my goals for this year
4:28 my game plan
5:17 thanks to our sponsor, trainwell! (formerly CoPilot!)
8:25 my future plans
10:17 ADHD and exercise
11:50 i’m doing this for ME
13:12 things i want to continue to work on
14:53 thank you for being here :)))

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Hi there! My name is Carrie Dayton and this channel is all about my journey toward body confidence / body neutrality, big sis advice, midsize / plus size fashion, thrifting, joyful movement, and MORE! SUBSCRIBE for new videos every week!

Channel art:

[bayleivorce]

My mom passed away last November at 57, and my father in law just had a heart scare at 63. All of it really put life in perspective for me. I’m only 23 and I want to experience a lot of life. I have to quit hating myself into losing weight and start loving myself into taking care of myself with both food and movement. With that being said, I know I need to be gentle with myself. Lastly, I just want to say thank you for being so vulnerable with us. ❤

[poniesandproteins]

I always do Yoga With Adriene's 30 day challenge to start the year, I always find it helps to get me back into exercise in a gentle and kind fashion, and it build strengths in a safe way to protect against injury.

[Sada-R]

I have followed you for years, and I feel like your videos always pop up when I need them most. I am going on 23 and in my post college as a first generation student in her figuring things out stage. With this, I’m also the highest weight I’ve ever been (due to stress and just accumulating to adulthood), so thank you for this I needed the body confidence/saying to move for fun versus cause I feel like I have too. I’ve been finding I can’t fit my clothes and well I took it to heart for awhile there. Thank you for being you! Love you and your community so much!🩷

[bluaurora]

You have inspired me! I know unsolicited advice is the worst but, just remember that motivation waxes and wanes but discipline is what will get you to your goals. Action is what creates motivation and good feelings, you won’t always feel motivated. And I find the gym to be an inspiring atmosphere, full of people working for their goals.

[kerryf]

I decided that this year us THE YEAR!

I'm 55 and have had MS for almost 20 years as well as Grave's disease. Although my weight is fine and I have no disability, I noticed that my muscles were definitely weak.

I blamed it on my illnesses and decided to go to Physical Therapy over the summer. Well, THAT was quite an awakening!! Turns I was just sitting around too much! 😂

After PT, I joined a gym and started slow. I now go 3 times per week, and I'm getting stronger by the day.

Even if I happen to miss a day here or there, or don't do as much as I want to, I still give myself a pat on the back for doing SOMETHING.

After all, doing SOMETHING is way better than doing nothing!!❤

[MelissaALacy]

I think a lot of us were in a dark night of the soul since 2020. Half-way through 2023, I started to let myself want and hope for things again, without fear of disappointment. At the end of 2023, I made roadmaps for 2024 for all the skills and hobbies I want to make progress in. So far, I've gotten more done in one month than I did from 2020-2022. It's encouraging to see so many people rise up from their dark nights as well!

[_jjellybean_]

I’m SO excited to see you get into weightlifting! I also have been following so many strength training baddies and definitely pull motivation from them. Love to see your progress throughout the years and how you keep it so real ❤

[sampayne]

Last year I met my boyfriend, he has a spinal cord injury and is paralyzed from a sports accident. He was a professional athlete, and in the blink of an eye, everything changed. He has to WORK for every little movement and it has made me appreciate being in an able body and enjoying movement so much. Sometimes, it's all about perspective.

[kateelmendorf]

As someone who's an educator... it is amazing to me that they MADE us run a mile in ms/hs.... how do teachers think that this is mentally a positive experience when it comes to exercise? For almost a decade I thought exercise was only for fit people... turns out it's for everyone! And it looks so different for everyone <3 love ya girl

[sadiemcclymont]

Weightlifting is absolutely amazing and completely changed my life. The increase in confidence and mood improvement is INSANE! I will say weightlifting in the gym took some time to get used to and I was definitely really insecure when I started, but just remember no one deserves to be there and use the equipment any more than you do. But now I love it and I’m always so proud of myself when I’m able to increase the weight.

[flynnlarson]

I injured my foot in early january and started doing peloton pilates classes. It's a very gentle and low impact workout that I had previously avoided becasue it seemed very appearance/physique-based. I really love how strong I feel. Now that i'm healed i'm back into weightlifting and keeping pilates in the rotation to keep it fresh. Love seeing your journey, Carrie!

[melissapeirson]

Thank you for the much needed inspiration. I haven’t prioritized myself for a very long time. Mentally, physically and emotionally I know that it will make all aspects of my life better. ❤

[kerrielizabeth]

I started weightlifting last year and the relationship I’ve created with my body is insane (in the best way). I struggled with an ED and body dysmorphia my whole life, but weightlifting has removed the aesthetic of my body for me. Now, I set goals like “I’d like to lift x amount of weight” and then when I do, I feel like such a badass bc I’m like damn, I can pick myself up!!! How cool is that!!!

Basically, it shifted my mind from what my body looks like to what my body can DO, and it’s helped me feel like such a badass now. It’s been so good.

[spaceblaster]

THANK YOU for addressing how ADHD has impacted your exercise journey. My ADHD really gets me every time.

[Shadylm]

Love this! I’ve started reading my kindle while walking on the treadmill and end up at 3 miles in an hour! Sometimes a little less but I’m along for the ride as well! I feel like this year does feel different and I’m totally ready to give my body the respect it deserves! Proud of you!

[reignofsparks]

I’m also getting back into my joyful movement. I’m just trying to thank my body and do something nice for it 😊

[missrobinhoodie]

My motivation for this year is "strong body, strong mind". I've started strong and been so motivated since the beginning of the year. But I'm kinda scared of losing that momentum... Please keep us posted about your joyful movements!! You're such an inspiration and motivation to me, Carrie <3

[CaseyLouise]

Another 30s gal with ADHD here! I have really bad proprioception (sense of my body in space) and struggled for so so long to go out and just move. I have found that I need to book classes with a financial penalty for missing it to get moving as much as I want to. So, I joined a pilates studio! And being in that smaller studio space with a teacher that knows me and expects me to turn up has made a difference! Now I can't deal with life without it. It helps my brain settle into the day and helps me connect with my body which I struggle with. I am like a little buzzing bee now if I don't start my day with a class or weights session. Though, big tip is to have your adhd meds at the bedside and on a little dish ready to swallow when you wake up, with a bottle you dont have to sit up to drink from. Means opening the pill bottle, getting the right amount, pouring water, etc, won't stop you in the morning and gets the meds in your body for the day. Been there, struggle with that. Good luck! 💃

[JennaMcCallister]

Watching this while using my walking pad for the first time! I am trying to ease myself into movement to help with my fibromyalgia, which is always a double-edged sword because it’s hard to move while you’re in pain, but the movement is what helps the pain. One step at a time!

[UnboundedArtandCrafts]

@Carrie I'm curious how the Oura ring has been working for you and if it made a big difference compared to a smart/fitness watch