My first 5k in 2011 |
With the approach of summer swimsuit season, the focus of exercise this time of year and, frankly, almost always is about weight loss and looking good in skimpy clothes. And while I’m an advocate of healthy weight and doing your best to look good, I’m an even bigger advocate for exercise as part of overall mental and physical health.
A few months ago, shortly after the horrible school shooting
in Connecticut, I wrote a blog
post about the importance of diet and exercise in preventing and managing
mental illness. To me, being a contemplative carnivore goes far beyond just
eating the right things and doing right by animals. It means living an overall
lifestyle of health, wellness and peace that is good for the body, good for the
mind and good for the community and environment.
As I noted in that post, my own family has battled various
levels of depression, substance abuse and mental illness. By the grace of God,
I do not. However, I do believe that I’ve managed to avoid these challenges
largely because of my dietary and exercise choices, and much of the research I’ve
read indicates that medical studies agree.
Don’t believe me? I encourage you to read Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of
Exercise and the Brain. Written by Dr. John Ratey, a psychiatrist who
specializes in anxiety disorders and uses exercise to treat his patients, it’s
a pretty mind-blowing book that examines exactly how exercise impacts the
chemistry of our brain. I’ve read it twice already and plan to make it annual
reading – it’s that amazing.
My Fitness Regimen
For several years, running has been my fitness activity of
choice. Though I started running out of a lifelong embarrassment of being a bad
runner, over time it has evolved into my main source of stress relief and
mental stability. If I’m having a bad day at work, I look forward to my
after-work run to burn off all that negativity and restore mental peace. If I’m
especially tired, I put on my running shoes and commit to at least 20 minutes
of exercise knowing I will get a better night of sleep. If I’m having an “I’m
ugly” day, getting a run in makes me feel strong, accomplished and appreciative
of what my body is capable of doing. These days, if I don’t run at least three
times a week, I don’t feel well. It is truly that critical to my overall
well-being.
I have recently added a once-per-week barre class that uses
ballet, pilates and yoga techniques to build strength and flexibility. The challenge
to my body and mind along with the supportive community of women has been a
great complement to my running.
Whether you’re an avid exerciser or not, I encourage you to
read Spark to learn more about the benefits
of exercise, which go far beyond fitting into a smaller size of jeans.
Question
If you exercise, what is your current regimen for staying
fit? If you don’t exercise, what are your barriers to getting fit?

Thanks for this recommendation! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It really is a great book and very eye-opening. Major motivation to keep working out!
ReplyDelete