Thursday 19 February 2015


The power of exercise

Life is not always as easy as we would like it to be or turn out how we had planned.  Dealing with these situations can be very hard on the body, and we need to know how to look after ourselves so we don’t end up with a body working less than 100%.
It’s very easy to feel that the problems are so overwhelming and tiring that you just want to curl up in bed and pull the covers up. While that may feel good at the time, in the long run it will actually drain you more.  These times are when we tend to get out of our normal exercise routine and grab fast food instead of sticking to our well established exercise and nutrition habits. But this is when you and your body need your healthy lifestyle more than ever.
Exercise increase resilience; the fitter we are the easier it is to cope with daily life and whatever problems we have.
This is because exercise increases energy levels, improves sleep and distracts us from our worries and increases our sense of control and self-esteem. It plays a very big role in helping us deal with the unpredicted in life.
I have through experience by working as a Personal Trainer for a long time (and also unfortunately in my own experience over the last 1 and a half years) developed five very important strategies to keep life going with the power of feeling good in a not so good life situation.
·         Exercise; when you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals all work together to make you feel good. In addition, after exercising you may feel a sense of accomplishment and your muscles will relax deeper because of the workout – easing tension and strain.
·         Eat well; there’s more and more research indicating that what we eat may influence on our mood.  Healthy eating, meaning  balancing your carbohydrates, getting enough omega-3, cutting back on alcohol and simple sugar, has been linked to an improvement in mood but also boosts your energy levels making it easier to face each day.  The foods we eat influence our brain messengers (neurotransmitters) which control feeling of happiness and sadness. A balanced diet will regulate the response to stress and improve your feeling and reactions towards themselves.               
·         Stay in contact with your friends who give you positive energy; family and friends are very important for a happy life. Being socially engaged leads to more positive emotions, which boost your immune system and reduce stress. It’s also important to feel that you are a good friend, providing others with support and friendship adds to your own happiness.
·         Find something positive in every day; it might be as simple as looking out the window in the morning and enjoying the sun rise or the rain, or enjoying a good laugh with your family or friends. Whatever it is, make sure that you find something positive in everyday.
·         Letting yourself feel sad; if you are going through a tough time in life you need to allow yourself to feel sad. Hiding whatever is bothering you inside will only make it worse, so make time to feel sad but maintain above routine and remember you are one of a kind.
But most of all don’t let a bad situation be even worse by letting good habits fly out the window. If you are not looking after yourself you will soon not just feel bad about the situation but also feel bad about yourself.
The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
 

Yours in health and fitness,
Birgitta
 


 

Tuesday 17 February 2015



Due to high demand I’m starting up a couple more Pilates classes. Join and discover the amazing workout Pilates can give you, how your body can change and the fantastic feeling of a new body.
Don’t wait, give me a call today!


Yours in health and fitness,
Birgitta