By Peter Jackson
We have long known that regular exercise has a direct effect on our health. You might call it Nature’s antidote to lower cholesterol, hypertension and body fat and, not least of all, keep us looking and feeling younger.
Now there is now a mountain of scientific evidence pointing to exercise having a dramatic effect on the brain’s production of neurons. These neurons degenerate naturally, exposing us to anxiety, depression and chronic stress – and worse, triggering the body’s production of cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone.
Researchers such as Yale University’s Ronald Duman, Ph.D., have found exercise lowers cortisol levels and stimulates neurogenesis (the growth of neurons) which improves our overall brain power: Cognition, focus, mood, impulse control and, yes, productivity.
Findings such as these – and the fresh start and new opportunity given to us every January 1st – should motivate us to get off the sofa, turn off the TV, log out of Facebook, and do something.
Walk, run, bike, swim, workout with a friend, join a fitness or yoga class, hire a personal trainer. Just do something to get your body moving!
All around us there are examples (although I wish there were more) of friends, neighbors and community leaders who have literally changed their lives by losing weight and getting fit.
Robert Boo, executive director of the Pride Center, transformed his body in 2013 and, to his credit, is literally half the man he used to be thanks to a change in diet and his new passion, cycling.
The publisher and editor-in-chief of this newspaper, author Richard Hack, has been passionate about weight training for years and his body today is the envy of most men over the age of 50. Richard will tell you exercise gives him the energy and fortitude to maintain a grueling schedule of deadlines.
Perhaps the most inspirational body transformation this year belonged to Mark Haines. The founder of the South Florida LGBT entertainment web site Mark’s List, Mark faced a never-ending daily calendar of social events and parties where alcohol and unhealthy hors’doeuvres tend to be the fare.
Mark was unhappy when he came to me for help – and presented a challenge. He wanted to lose 60 pounds in 7 months in order to participate in the 2014 Smart Ride fundraiser, a 160+-mile bike ride from Miami to Key West.
It was a tall order, but trainer Cory Davis and I took on Mark’s challenge.
In one of his last Facebook posts before he was tragically killed walking back to his hotel from dinner (after completing the first leg of the Smart Ride), Mark wrote: “I’ve lost 70 pounds [in seven months]. I go to the gym twice a week for a workout and amazing support…I ride my bike 150 to as many as 320 miles a week. I feel amazing and happy every day now.”
That is the power of exercise.
The biggest reason people fail to exercise is lack of motivation when going it alone. Avoid this by challenging a partner, friend or co-worker to join you in losing weight and getting fit. Make a pact to help and motivate each other. Set a goal for yourself and a deadline — and tell everyone about your goal. Let them know you’re serious and need their help to stay on course.
If you need more help, get it. There are great deals to be had for fitness classes as well as private personal training. If you are the type of person who gets lost or intimidated in the maze of a commercial gym, consider other options. Even a $10 a month gym membership is expensive and a waste of money if you never go!
It’s a new year and a whole new opportunity to be healthier, happier and more productive through regular exercise.
Are you ready for the challenge?
Florida Agenda health and fitness contributing editor PETER JACKSON is the owner of Push Fitness, Club One CrossFit and Inner G Yoga, all located in Oakland Park. He welcomes your questions and comments at Info@PushFitnessFTL.com.
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