"From Self-Love to Self-Care: Elevating Your Life Through Fitness"
In the last blog, I wrote about how we all should be working on practicing “Self-Love” by committing to not hyperfocus on what you perceive to be your flaws but rather “thanking” those areas of your body for the great things they allow you to do. You can read that blog here.
If that seems too out of reach for where your self-esteem sits at this moment, then instead take a leap of faith to practice another form of Self-Love and just start exercising regularly. In addition to boosting self-esteem, (which should help you achieve the challenge above), here are 9 other ways your body will benefit if you commit to the Self-Love habit of regular exercise:
Increased Brain Function: After your very first workout, you’ll feel more awake and better able to focus due to increased blood flow. Continue the habit, and brain cells will start to function better and, in some cases, new brain cells with grow, boosting memory and learning.
Better Mood: The increased energy and clarity the results during and post workout not only boosts brain cells, but also mood thanks to that endorphin rush. Regular exercise helps you better deal with daily stress, anxiety, and depression.
Better Blood Sugar Management: Exercise improves your muscle’s ability to uptake and burn glucose especially for those who start to weight train.
More Energy: as you increase the number and function of your mitochondria: After week 1 of consistent exercise, you’ll start to feel more energized throughout the day as you begin to improve both the number and function of mitochondria as well as capillary density in the muscle. This combo allows your body to produce more ATP and improve oxygen delivery allowing you to continue getting fitter as you continue the exercise habit.
Improved Sleep: Scientists agree that sleep is critical to health and happiness and there is strong evidence that to sleep better at night, you need to exercise during the day. If your schedule dictates that you need to plan evening workouts, try to schedule them at least 2 hrs before bedtime.
Better Eating Habits: A very cool study was done on young adults in Texas demonstrating the inherent power of exercise. Even though participants were not instructed to change their diets in any way, those in the exercise group (30 min of exercise 3 x/wk. for 15 wks.), naturally sought out lean meats, fruits, and veggies while preferences for fried foods, sodas and other unhealthy options decreased.
Improved Bone health: We have had more than a handful of clients who came to us with the diagnosis of Osteopenia and have either had their diagnosis changed or the degree of their bone degeneration has significantly reversed.
Better Posture: Maybe even getting taller! Likewise, with the right combination of exercises, posture can be improved. This not only looks better, but helps prevent shoulder, neck, and other types of muscular strain. We recently had a client report that her doctor did a double take and had to re-measure her, because she had grown an inch since her last visit a year ago.
Dementia Prevention: Are you concerned about maintaining your mental capacity? Research supports the fact that exercise is considered the most effective way to delay and even prevent dementia (such as Alzheimer’s) and other neurological issues.
We didn’t even talk about the other more obvious benefits of regular exercise including better heart health, stronger muscles, and enhanced mental health!Even if it’s the commitment to start walking at a brisk pace 3 x wk. for 30 min, do this act of Self-Love for the rest of February. Your body, mood and self-esteem will thank-you!
Ready to take the next step and jump your fitness even faster? Call us today to share with us your goals and we’ll tell you the best way to get started.info@pitraining.ca 604-291-9941
