For those who've had a personal struggle with trying to exercise on the daily (aka me), here's something that'll get you inspired. Lena Dunham shared the reason she runs in an interview with ESPN and it's totally motivating and body positive. After hearing what she's had to say, it completely changed my view on trying to squeeze in an hour of exercise after work. While the 29-year old Girls star has supported body positivity many times before, her reason for exercising is refreshing, uplifting, and a little bit funny (of course). I mean, I might just go out and take a quick run right now.
She told ESPN, "My relationship with my body is constantly evolving. I'm going to be 30 next year. I had to learn, as you age, you have to move. You have to move so you don't die. You have to move so your brain doesn't atrophy. You have to move so that you look a little bit like a person that you might want to be. There are a thousand reasons why exercise is important, and I've had to find ways to make it sexy for myself."
I mean, if that's not a good reason, then I don't know what is. So, mental note: running is sexy and good, if you want to live, according to Dunham.
Not going to lie — I've always personally had a hard time trying to get up and actually make an effort to run. And well, it seems that Dunham has, too. She also shared, "I started from a place of, 'I'm so annoyed I have to do this.' It was the last thing I wanted to do. When it became something that actually gave me pleasure, I was shocked."
Lena continued to tell ESPN that, "endorphins are real . You run with someone for an hour, you feel pretty good. Running for an hour does not make you feel worse. I feel so much stronger and more capable than before."
In July, Dunham shared an Instagram photo of her running (which was captured by the paparazzi). She captioned the photo with an explanation to her fans about how she began to fall in love with the sport, saying that she, "felt strong, swift and proud." She continued to share, "I'm not about to embrace that triathlon life but it's a true joy to continue getting more connected to my body and its powers." It's amazing to hear that even a few months later, Dunham is still enjoying and embracing everything positive running has to offer.
Like I mentioned, this isn't the first time Lena has said something profoundly body positive. Here are a few other times she proved herself our favorite body positive icon.
1. Lena Dunham On How Her Body Is A "Tool"
She's also said to the Gothamist, "I think about my body as a tool to do the stuff I need to do, but not the be all and end all of my existence."
2. Lena Dunham On Why She Does What She Does
Lena has also explained, "If I can do anything, as cliche as it sounds, to aid in the comfort of a woman accepting her form, then I want to do that."
3. Lena Dunham On The Female Body
This has got to be one of my favorite quotes from Dunham. "I am comforted by the fact that I find a real range of female bodies beautiful, and I hope that other people do too. And even if they don't find it beauty if hope they're just glad that something like it is happening on TV."
BRB while I go take a quick evening run.
