Did you know that 75% of people who reportedly suffer from chronic fatigue are not also suffering from a serious medical condition? Weird, right?! We equate fatigue with being sick and unhealthy, yet the majority of people suffering from exhaustion don’t have any tangible health issues to speak of… so what’s going on here? To put it simply, we as a society just aren’t moving enough. [Wait a minute… exercise burns calories, aka energy, so I’m calling your bluff.] Actually, while that may seem logical at first thought, it’s not correct - the science backs me up! What it all comes down to is blood flow. When we move, our heart rate increases, so then our blood starts pumping through our veins more rapidly and, in turn, our muscles and brain receive a greater supply of nutrients and oxygen. Nutrients and oxygen work together within our cells to produce energy, so naturally, when our cells are receiving more nutrients and oxygen they’re going to produce more energy. There have been studies that support this, too! Here’s the best part about it: low to moderate intensity exercise, [think a brisk walk or bike ride], for just 20-minutes a day can decrease the feeling of fatigue by 50-65%! It’s that simple. Feeling blah? Move! Movement increases blood flow which increases energy production. Just like that, problem solved. Don’t give yourself time to list off excuses. Get up and move! You won’t regret it.
60sec Read: Regular Exercise Can Mend A Broken, Worn-Out Heart [Literally & Figuratively]
If your heart is hurting - whether it be from emotional heartbreak or from cardiovascular health issues - exercise can help you and your heart feel stronger and more resilient. When we’re grieving, partaking in regular exercise can be an affective coping mechanism. Not only does it put powerful emotions to use in a positive way - [punching a boxing bag instead of your ex’s new fling is definitely ideal] - but regular exercise helps us consistently realize and appreciate our true strength. We learn that, with persistence, we build strength, and in turn, our challenges become easier. In addition to helping us cope with life’s struggles and improving our emotional strength, exercise can both prevent heart disease and reverse symptoms of it. In fact, regular exercise, [at least 150 minutes per week; that’s 30 minutes x 5 days a week or 45-60 minutes x 3-4 days per week], can reduce our chances of suffering a cardiac event in our lifetime by 30-40%! That’s HUGE! With heart disease being one of the leading causes of death in this country, [USA], simply adopting the habit of exercising just 30-minutes per day could help us avoid the fate of so many other Americans. So do yourself and your heart a favor and make it a priority to move more - you most definitely won’t regret it.
Trainer Tip Tuesday: Why Does My Lower Back Hurt During Ab Workouts?!
60sec Read: Regular Exercise Can Boost Brain Power
Got a case of brain fog? A short attention span? Maybe both?! Last week we learned how regular exercise can reduce stress - huge relief, right?! Well guess what, not only can it calm our nerves and help us feel more optimistic, but regular exercise also boosts our brain function. Short term, it helps us focus better and boosts our productivity. Long term, it reduces our risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease by 50%! So yeah, regular exercise not only helps us get [more] sh!t done now, it also helps prevent serious health issues from adding to our to-do list down the road. Raise your hand if you like feeling productive. Raise your hand if you’d like to reduce your chances of suffering from a degenerative brain disease. In just 150 minutes per week, [that’s 30 minutes x 5 days a week or 45-60 minutes x 3-4 days per week], you will do BOTH of those things! The turnaround on investment is immediate, but, like any wise investment, it’s what you gain in the long term that holds the most value. When you’re lacking motivation, remember these 2 things: 1. Exercise is the antidote for that exact issue; and 2. Your quality of life is essential if you want to live your most meaningful, memorable and joyful life. Don’t lose sight of that and you won’t ever have to dig too deep to find your motivation.
Trainer Tip Tuesday: When Do I Stretch? Before or After My Workout?
In case you weren't able to tune in for my Live answer on FB & IG, here's the answer to last week's question for Trainer Tip Tuesday: should I stretch before or after my workout?
If you have any questions or concerns about my answer, feel free to reach out so we can discuss it!
B Strong,
Cassie B.