When you first start exercising to get in shape, you may think that it is just a matter of engaging in a few well-designed activities to get a muscular physique. For some, it isn’t just the muscular physique they crave, but exercises that will lead to a healthier life.
The mind is an essential factor when we think about interconnectedness, and the impact on the mind in physical training is an important factor in getting fit.
The human body needs activity to feel good; adding physical activity to your lifestyle will add a new dimension to your state of mind.
Creating the connection and keeping it strong is the first phase of mind and body training. But that is predicated on the selection of physical activities that are realistic choices for fitness options.
We want to get the mind to participate in the exercise routine, and selecting easy and fun exercises is part of what stimulates the mind positively. That involves evaluation. Are you setting yourself up for success with the exercise activities you have chosen?
Lifestyle results are important when developing your exercise plan – losing weight is a challenge, and when a person sticks to the exercise plan, positive results ensue.
An Expert Speaks
We reached out to Toronto’s premier source for everything health and fitness, John Cardillo offers his expert opinion “It isn’t just about exercise. It is about the dedication to the method that produces results. Adding activities that you like doing that aren’t stressful creates the long-term results you are seeking”.
Conversely, if you develop a plan that is only about pain for gain, you may become frustrated and eventually give up because you have tasked yourself with goals you can’t accomplish because you have set yourself up to fail.
“Look for activities that are compatible with your lifestyle – if going to the gym is what appeals to you – then the gym it is” adds the premier fitness program’s world-renowned designer, John Cardillo. If working out at home after a tough day stimulates you, you can improve your fitness level at home. A combination of the two will enhance your mind and body fitness levels, and that is where you want to be.
Our Goals Meets Our Habits
Before you can calibrate your exercise routine, you must know your mind and body and what will be successful and what won’t be. Your goals must be tempered to what you can do instead of what you can’t.
We are creatures of habit, and that is where to start when you want to create an exercise routine. Don’t let your focus stray to food and your body – you wind up living for other people rather than addressing your needs.
Time management is critical here – if you are having trouble with life balance, it creates stress, and that imbalance is a problem for healthy bodies and healthy minds.
When you want to shed pounds, remember, you didn’t put on weight overnight, so don’t be discouraged if it takes time to lose the extra pounds.
Use your fitness goals as benchmarks and make the goals realistic – when you succeed, you create a positive feedback loop that improves your mental well-being through exercise.
Your exercise routine should be about eliminating stress and creating a positive environment for you to work out and keep the workouts going until you achieve your fitness goals. Your activities shouldn’t be drudgery personified; exercise must be something you enjoy doing; otherwise, the results won’t be what you want.
When commencing any exercise routine, consult your physician to get the best advice on proceeding with your exercise goals that incorporate physical activity. You don’t want to engage in an exercise routine that puts your body into shock; you want a routine that will be gentle and stimulating for the body and mind to get the best results.
The Diet & Exercise Connection
In society, there has been a level of disconnection with dieting and exercise. Weight loss and fitness have been narrowly defined, and that is where failure to lose weight and keep it off has come to the forefront.
Dieting is not the premier method for weight loss or fitness. Exercise is another narrowly defined aspect of fitness. The mind and body must work together to produce the results we seek.
We need exercise that eliminates stress and helps our minds and bodies connect during physical activity. Once you have outlined a plan that includes both the mind and body in your routines, harmony will result when your exercise produces the results you are looking for.
In conclusion, Cardillo offers the following advice, “Your brain is the biggest muscle in your body and needs as much exercise as the muscles wrapped around your skeleton. Make the most of your workouts when you exercise your brain to help take positive steps for your lifestyle when your mind is part of the exercise process”
