This guest blogger is an absolute inspiration and shows us that exercise and movement do not have to be intimidating, awful, or unappealing. Do what you like and do it with passion. Thank you, Laura, for sharing your story! Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! =)

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Hi Friends! This is Laura and I blog at Joyful Shimmy about my experiences adopting healthy living habits, trying new fitness classes and even facing my fears such as doing burlesque. Thank you Divya for the opportunity to do a guest post here!

“I just don’t think that Brooke could’ve done this. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” – Elle Woods Legally Blonde

I move, I shimmy, I shake my booty to be happy.  My journey was from the “fat chubby girl” who was the last to pick for any sporting event into captain of the kickball team, fitness class fanatic and overall happy person.

My old story consisted of my fear of flying balls (still have that fear), hating to run and just feeling overall that I missed the athlete gene.  Of course since this a genetic disease therefore I would NEVER be athletic, enjoy working out, stick to a gym routine.

Nevertheless I have proven this story is false. At around the same time I started to eat real food, I started to incorporate cardio exercise in my life. I worked with a personal trainer who introduced me to a less intimidating experience to weights. My journey started slowly from going to the gym a few times a week.

Then 2010 hit and I had this crazy thought that I needed to join a convent because my life was just not the way I wanted to look like.  Following my therapist suggestion and the introduction of groupon, I started to take dance classes. My first groupon class was for Bollywood with a friend. We had a blast so we ended up signing up for a month long course. Then it was pole dancing, kettlebells, and everything in between. The life changer classes  for me came in the form of Burlesque Bikini Bootcamp and Shrink sessions (formerly known as IntenSati Creative Workshop).

As I continued to follow what felt good for my body, an internal shift occurred. I moved away from the idea that exercise was something I have to do to lose weight into an activity that I truly enjoy. As I took these classes, I started to meet friends, mentors and positive role models who taught me how to love my body as it is. Most importantly through movement I have been able to find my voice, strength and courage. I love how it truly connects my mind/body and soul and that I am happier.

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What “movement” makes you happy? What gets your endorphins going?