Ever set out to make a big change, pumped up with good intentions and iron-clad willpower, only to feel like you’ve hit a wall a few weeks in? Suddenly, that healthy habit you were so excited about seems impossible, and you’re left feeling “weak” or “undisciplined.” Sound familiar? 🤔 Here’s the thing: it’s not just about willpower! One of the biggest factors influencing our behavior is often right under our noses—our environment. Yep, the spaces around us can either make it easier or harder to stick to our goals. Access, or how easy things are to reach, can have a huge impact on what we do (or don’t do). The best part? Most of us can tweak our surroundings to nudge us toward those positive changes. A classic example is the “kitchen … [Read more...] about Want to Make Lasting Changes? Start with Your Environment!
Exercise
How Physical Activity Can Improve Your Mental Health
It's no secret that exercise can improve physical health, but what exactly does it do for mental health? How does exercise help to create mental well-being, and what specific problems can it help treat? How does exercise help improve mental health? Beneficial physiological changes of exercise include improved sleep, the release and improved metabolism of chemicals—such as serotonin and endorphins—in the brain and central nervous system, and physical changes to the brain. Exercise increases brain volume and blood flow, which improves neural functioning. The psychological impacts of exercise include heightened self-esteem, the interruption of negative thoughts, and an increase in healthy social contact. Together, these changes … [Read more...] about How Physical Activity Can Improve Your Mental Health
Make a Move
If I’m being perfectly honest, I’ve felt somewhat paralyzed over the past few months. The pandemic restrictions are lifting (hooray) at the same time I’m making frequent trips to New Jersey to help care for my Mom. Planning ahead has been tricky at best. Should I reactivate my gym membership?Plan for a vacation? Commit to that party? Take my business back to full capacity? (This one is happening SOON!) It’s a weird place to be. Not knowing is downright disorienting. But indecision and staying stuck feels TERRIBLE. So last week, I decided to make one simple decision around fitness. To commit to Pilates twice/week when in Colorado. My first Pilates session felt like an act of self-love. Like an important vote cast in favor of … [Read more...] about Make a Move
The Truth About Why I Exercise
I don't exercise to rock a bikini, finish a marathon or set new personal records. I flat out hated exercise for a good portion of my life. I used to forge notes from my Mom about "painful menstrual cramps" to avoid Phys Ed in High School. I even elected to take Organic Chemistry my senior year because it got me out of gym class three days a week (also, I’m a geek who loves science, but getting out of Phys Ed was a nice perk). But things have changed since then. During a visit with my foot surgeon (the fabulous Dr. Ng) a few weeks ago, he suggested biking as a way to get in some great cardio without irritating my foot (I'm trying desperately to avoid surgery #3). So I took up biking - and it's crazy fun. Biking doesn't feel like … [Read more...] about The Truth About Why I Exercise