HARNESS NATURAL ENERGY
RUNNING OUT OF EXCUSES FOR AVOIDING THE GYM? HERE’S HOW TO GET THE MOOD-BOOSTING POWER OF EXERCISE ON YOUR SIDE
Everyone knows that awesome feeling that you get from exercising. You walk out of the gym with more energy than when you went in. You make the decision to go to the grocery store to pick up some healthy foods for dinner instead of going to the fast food joint down the road. You’re convincing yourself that this is going to be a regular thing. This is it. This is the way you’re going to feel every single day from here on in.
And then the next day comes and you’re dreading going to the gym again after work. You’re trying to think of a thousand different excuses.
But the question is, why? Why do we always hate the thought of exercising, but when we do exercise we feel like we could run a marathon the next day?
There’s no doubt exercise makes us feel better. When we do it our body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that create a euphoric feeling, a positive and energised outlook on life. Endorphins also reduce your perception of pain.
The side benefit of endorphins is they can help us think clearer, focus better, build confidence, create energy and make us generally happier people. What’s not to like? But there are a number of reasons we can baulk at exercise. The obvious ones are illness or injury.
If you’re unwell, it’s best not to push your body. Let yourself off the hook and give your body rest so it recovers more quickly. This also allows you to get back into your exercise routine faster.
If you associate exercise with pain, you may need to reassess.
Exercising shouldn’t hurt. Yes, you should be out of your comfort zone and it’s natural to feel a little soreness or stiffness a day or two after your workout, but if you’re in pain every day or can barely move, you’re pushing too hard. No wonder you’re reluctant to do that to yourself again.
Perhaps you’re just bored, can’t see the results you’d like to be having or just having an off day.
Here are some solutions: focus on the habit. Just show up.
Meet that friend at the gym, keep that appointment with the trainer. As a famous slogan urges us, just do it.
Once you are there, the possibilities are endless. If you opt for a shorter or less strenuous workout, it’s still better than no workout at all.
Reward yourself. Listen to your favourite song in the car on the way home or treat yourself to something you like doing in the evening. You’ll feel like you deserve it.
If you still can’t face your workout, do something else active instead even if it’s just walking or preparing a healthy meal.
Truth be told, it’s not only exercise that makes us feel great — the food we eat contributes to this too. Many people focus on exercise alone, but nutrition can always step in to provide the energy, focus and confidence that is so commonly found after exercise.
The food we consume has a dramatic effect on our gut microbiome which is linked to our brain through the gut-brain axis.
Consuming foods high in nutrients and fatty acids such as coconut oil, wild salmon, blueberries, turmeric, eggs, walnuts, asparagus, kale, broccoli, avocado, spinach, almonds, pumpkin seeds and even red wine and dark chocolate will not only make you feel healthier but it will also help you focus.
Exercising is one way to achieve that endorphin high but good nutrition keeps us on the wave.