TRAIN LIKE AN ATHLETE Maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Well, at least this is the latest craze that has got people focused more on their diet and leaving exercise as less of a priority. Personally, I disagree with this movement.
Exercise provides health benefits that can’t be achieved by simply eating well. They say you can’t out exercise a bad diet and while I agree, I don’t believe a diet of salads and whole foods will do the job either. While we all might not be determined to achieve a fit and toned physique, regular exercise (daily) provides our bodies with so many, less cliché, benefits that healthy food on its own cannot. Exercising regularly can help us to prevent and manage a number of health problems and chronic diseases from stroke, diabetes, cancer, anxiety, depression and arthritis. With so many of these health problems prominent in our day to day lives, should we really be prepared to forgo our daily exercise routine?
For those who are a little more weight conscious… While a healthy diet may help you to avoid over eating and keep your calorie count in check what it won’t do is help you to burn excess fat or maintain weight loss. I can’t undermine the importance of your diet for weight loss but it’s obvious that if you really want to achieve you weight loss goals, regular exercise is your answer. It’s all in your head. Regular exercise also has the ability to improve your mood and boost your energy. So, those who say they exercise to feel good really aren’t kidding, there’s even evidence to back them up.
Physical activity stimulates various chemicals in your brain that have the potential to leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. On top of this, exercise also increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your muscle tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently leaving you with more up and go! (Mayoclinic, 2014)
While the right kind of diet can also be packed with nutrients that are great for your overall health, you can’t underestimate the power of a good mood to keep you motivated and on track throughout the semester.
You will never find me expressing my passion for the fact that a healthy diet is not of the upmost importance but I do strongly encourage you to see the benefits of ensuring a healthy diet combined with 30 minutes of daily exercise is key to achieving a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Whether its 20 squats while you’re brushing your teeth or bicep curls with your pencil case on the way to class, make sure exercise is one of your priorities each week.