LIFESTYLE
18TH JULY 2019, BY THERE’S A FROG ON THE PORCH
Six months into my new exercise regime (with the motivation of a three week trip to Australia December 2019) I have began to notice certain changes within my well-being and physically. At the end of January 2019 I joined a new gym a mile from home and changed my diet to along side this new regime, tied in with a four month absence from all social media.
Over those six months I have realised working out is a way to balance my stress and anxiety, and to feel like I have done something positive. Yes, I would be telling porkies if I had said i’m motivated with every gym session because that is just not true. Some days I just cannot be bothered, however, having a gym less than a mile from home leaves me with little excuse not to attend even if its only for an hour.
Here are a few lessons I have learnt…
EXERCISE COMBATS MY ANXIETY
Working out is a way to balance my stress and anxiety, and to feel like I have done something positive. We all know the importance effects exercise has on your physical well-being but what I have learnt is that it can takes months before those positive physical changes are noticed. Six months in and i’m now feeling stronger and healthier like in my 20’s.
The mental benefits were so much quicker to develop, Within a couple weeks I mentally felt better. If I was feeling a little anxious or flat exercise gives me the boost I need. I have noticed if I now have a few days away from exercise I begin to feel quite lethargic.
To me these days i have discovered the importance to fit some sort of exercise into your daily life, even if its only 20 minutes.
CHANGING MY PERSPECTIVE KEEPS ME CALMER
When my work schedule becomes a little hectic working longer ours I get a little frantic. What i have learnt is that my anxiety is based on the fear of something negative happening. When I feel something is creeping up I change the way i look at things and ask the question ‘why am I feeling anxious?’ Am I valid to feel that way or am I exaggerating?
I DON’T GET HUNG UP ON THINGS ANY LONGER
There used to be a time were everything bothered me. Was was constantly conscious of something going wrong. I used to worry so much about everything, even the little things. Turning 40 is an amazing life moment when you realise worry solves nothing and its the way you address the issue that matters. Referring back to my first point. If I find that i’m beginning to become anxious or nervy I find a good 30 minute run on the treadmill really helps.
TREAT THE CAUSE NOT THE SYMPTOMS
When I was a child I had really really good skin but as I grew older into my teens I started to suffer from extreme acne. I went to the doctors who were more than happy to give me a course of antibiotics and face washes but nothing really helped. In fact, I found my skin became worse than ever. I had acne well into my young adult years that was exaggerated more by the working conditions. That reinforced the idea that you can’t just patch things over. I didn’t have acne purely because of the harsh products I had acne because of my hormones, that can be influenced by diet and nutrition.
These days my skin is still not great but I use gentler Men’s healthcare products and limit my intake of sugar and bad fats, coupled with exercise.
FLEXIBILITY IS YOUR FRIEND
How many times have you walked into the gym and you notice (usually) the fella’s all pumped up with massive arms and chests, but they walk as if they’ve had an accident?
Sure all that weight training is great to build strength but these people forget about the smaller muscles. Focus on your back muscles, side muscles, forearms, neck etc. Your knees and back will not thank you from all that weight training and lunging. Focusing on your smaller muscles with help with support of the larger ones, but in addition help with your overall flexibility. Learn to stretch. A little everyday goes a long way.
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