Feeling Great and Working Out -DIRECT RELATIONSHIP

The direct relationship between my mental and physical happiness is amazing...

truly amazing! Since beginning to work out at least 5 times per week for the past 3 weeks, my mood has been fantastic. The quick difference in my mental state, general happiness and feeling of 'being alive' is undeniable.

I think I have always been this way. Looking back over the past 10 or even 20 years (yes, I am middle aged but not middle-minded!), it seems the patterns of my well-being has always had a very direct correlation to if I was working out. Growing up, I was always very active. Maybe this was only because we had 3 TV channels to choose from, no real computers or Internet and no cell phones. We basically had to play outside or play with friends inside or read. We didn't have the technology options to keep us from staying active. I was always going to swim practice or when I was in elementary school, ballet, ice skating, gymnastics or swimming. There was always some sporting activity. I remember my parents deciding I needed to choose which sport I wanted to continue in as my classes and sports became to hectic. I chose swimming.

I joined a year-round team and we were required to swim 5-6 days per week, and as I got older, two times per day. I did this for around 10 years straight. Doesn't it all become habit after this long of a period of time? I think being this active, at any age in life, certainly sets a personal standard for you to assess if you feel well or not.

After I had my son, who is now 3, I really didn't do much physical activity. I would get re-involved in hiking, skiing or running -but only for a week or two and then I would quit, for no real reason. Life perhaps, was the reason. This has always been my tendency...to start something and never finish or to ride the roller coaster of life, up, down but never accomplishing much in the end as far as a finished product, an improved physical fitness or a new learned hobby.

I am hoping to change my history.

I joined a gym recently and this is what has helped to spur my new hope on life and on physical fitness. I have been doing aerobic workouts (treadmill, elliptical, bike) for about an hour each, 5 days a week. The best part, is also the addition of compounding movements, interval training with free weights, balls, balance boards, resistance bands and kettle balls. I bought a few sessions with an amazing trainer and she got me started on the basics of heart rate monitor training and really honing in on the proper workout heart rate zones for me..what will get me in better aerobic capacity, what zone will help to best trim fat and other training methods.

I will talk more about specifics next time. For now, time to head to the gym for another workout. Nike really got it right when they started using the slogan "Just Do It". That is really the only thing that matters in the end. Off to "Do It"! Have a great day!