How has your year started? On a positive note, we hope.
Can you believe it, we are now into February and you're into your second month of exercise? You're feeling the benefits of eating healthier too and best of all can see the Christmas stodge slowly fading from your waistline. When you see results like this your motivation to keep going increases, you want those goals you set and in another few weeks you could reach them. Well done to you.
Or are you like millions of people who are optimistic on January 1 and by February 1 your enthusiasm and motivation is just a distant memory? Are you still procrastinating about where to start, or waiting for a sign from above to give you a helping hand?
A key barrier to being active or eating better is an all or nothing mindset. In other words, if you can't work out for an hour, then what's the point? Or I had a healthy lunch yesterday but last night I ate takeaways, so what's the point? This type of thinking encourages you to "disengage" in positive behaviours. As humans naturally we steer clear of anything that is going to cause us pain or discomfort and exercise and weight loss are perceived as being uncomfortable.
So let's look at an approach that may help you begin during February.
Consider that five minutes of exercise performed once every hour may improve glucose and insulin levels in obese people better than an hour-long session.
Another study found that a 10-minute ride on a stationary bike improved cognitive responses as opposed to someone who sat and read for 10 minutes.
And immune function may be significantly enhanced with a 20-minute bout of exercise.
