How working out can muscle up your mind and spirit!
You’ve probably spent enough time in the gym to realize that there are real tangible results that come from pumping iron and churning out cardio. Granite glutes, bulging biceps, a sexy, cut six-pack are but a few of the results of all your sweaty hard labor. But did you also know that exercise can relieve stress and pressure at work, help you think like a creative whiz kid on your feet and generally make you feel rejuvenated and invincible? The benefits of working out the body go way beyond just looking good and showing it off and here’s how!
Studies have proven that regular cardio work can enhance the ability of neurotransmitters in the brain to work faster. This higher ability won’t replace a good education or being generally street-smart, but it can help you to think clearer, quicker and more creatively.
As a trainer, I find that clients who are anxious and stressed, over worked, or generally depressed and tired, report feeling energized and upbeat after early morning exercise. As a result, they are more relaxed and confident all day at work, and seem to think more clearly and creatively on the job. While a lot of people cannot realistically work out before work, those clients who do regular cardio and weight training throughout their busy week report basically the same increase in energy, confidence and creativity. The feelings you get after a workout, namely the adrenaline rush and the feeling of overall accomplishment can lift you spirits and boost your energy levels all day long.
Do you come home from work and crash in exhaustion? Does your heart race when you’re stuck in traffic before a big presentation or meeting? You 
have the power to change this misery. Start doing cardio, or alter your present cardio routine and don’t forget to pump some iron while you are at it! You might think these activities would add to your overall feelings of stress and tiredness, but you are wrong. Psychologists say that a key element behind failing under pressure is physical fatigue. Regular cardio (running, biking or swimming) actually energizes you and it charges up your brain and body for tough situations – like your ball-busting boss, or those whining do-nothing co-workers who grate on your nerves and bring you down. Throwing the weights around helps you to alleviate frustration and pent-up aggression as you build gorgeous muscles in the process!
If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. Sleep deprivation can literally make you crazy. Without enough good quality sleep-8 to 10 hours a night- you will not be able to perform at work, you will feel frazzled and foggy and lack of sleep can also make you store fat more easily. Instead of groping for another sleeping pill, go for the treadmill instead. Regular cardio exercise lowers your resting pulse rate, can lower blood pressure, revs up your metabolism, improves digestion, and biologically assists your brain in producing feel-good endorphins. Regular exercise will help you function better during the day and rest better at night. How excellent is that?
So the next time you hit the gym to tighten and tone that body, remember the good you’re doing for your mind and spirit as well! For more tips on mental fitness and how working out can improve your mood and alleviate stress, continue to read this excellent publication each week! Don’t forget to contact TrainerTomB@aol.com with any questions you may have about your workouts! Here’s to an excellent Springtime in South Florida!
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