NAh, there is pain, but there is no gain. If it hurts, start counting. Run until you see the stars. Over the years, you've probably heard a few workout mantras that go beyond hardcore. Real Conversation: How Does the Burnout Approach Work for You?
Ayorinde Iranlowo-Ifatunji, barre instructor and Nike Well Collective trainer, believes there is a better path to wellness. It's about moving your body in a way that actually makes you feel good and, in turn, shines a light on others. . Her daily practice is walking (along with putting a “pump” in the steps of countless TikTokers… But there is a twist to her practice.
She calls it a wellness walk. It's an accessible, low-impact movement that will help you feel your best physically and emotionally. “Wellness walking helps you calm down, get some fresh air, and move your body without putting too much stress on it,” she says. And this routine is one of her favorite ways to connect with herself and her community.
If burpees and boot camps don't seem to be giving you more than muscle aches and self-doubt, it might be time to slow down and try a health walk. Iranlowo-Ifatunji presents a walking workout routine and shares her favorite Nike walking fits to help you radiate your glow and embrace your inner charm every step of the way.
How a Nike Trainer Found Feel-Good Fitness
Six-pack chasers, listen up: Iranlowo-Ifatunji's journey to feel-good moves has been a rocky one. The idealized (and unrealistic) bodies she saw in the media growing up were nothing like hers, and she says the comparisons dimmed her inner light. “With all the pressure I felt, I could never stay consistent with my exercise routine,” she says. “It wasn’t until I stopped focusing on looking good (whatever that means) and started prioritizing how the movement made me feel like I had achieved a movement routine that made me feel good.”
“This cultural shift is very important because it helps us become friends with our bodies instead of enemies.”
She believes today's feel-good exercise movement is a cultural shift. Even though it's been a few years, she's ready to celebrate. “Moving to feel good deepened my relationship with myself and gave me a safe place to love myself. But on that day, I think it’s appropriate,” she says. “I move to balance my mood, feel sparks of joy, and release trapped emotions.”
In short? “This cultural shift is very important because it helps us become friends with our bodies instead of enemies,” she says. “Being more intuitive and less rigid about what my body needs has helped me feel the best I’ve ever felt.”
Making a case for wellness walks
A walking exercise routine is at the top of Iranlowo-Ifatunji's feel-good fitness list. “Wellness walks are one of my favorite forms of exercise,” she says. She uses it as a way to connect with the Brooklyn community. Walking in the park, meeting someone you know, walking around the neighborhood with friends, and taking a walk while drinking coffee. The store she became a regular at.
Her simple walking instructions? Get outside, or if the weather is bad, hop on the treadmill and take a walk for as long as you like. Speed doesn't matter, but she recommends walking for at least 20 minutes to help your body and mind adjust to the practice. “I love wellness walking because it’s a simple yet effective aerobic exercise that helps me shake off funky energy and clear thoughts that might be taking up too much space in my mind,” she says. “After a walk, I always feel refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.”
How to Maintain a Walking Closet
Iranlowo-Ifatunji tries to set aside an hour for a wellness walk, wearing supportive Zenvy leggings that are “the perfect combination of buttery, stretchy softness” and Nike, which feel like “the fluffiest cloud.” We're confident that Motiva sneakers will keep her comfortable. Because nothing is more distracting than activewear that stretches or cuts in all the wrong places. she's in nike actually Designed to fit well and help you unleash your inner charm.
If you're ready to start walking, stock up on Iranlowo-Ifatunji's favorite Nike products and listen to her tips for starting your walking routine with an empowered mindset. For her, she says, it means “turning inward for joy and validation before looking for it outside of myself.” “It’s about embracing all the parts of me, the things I love, and the things that make me a little uncomfortable. By doing this, my light will always shine and abundance will continue to flow my way.” Your inner radiance will radiate.