I did it and I’m sticking to it!

So… Erm, I’ve recently overcome my Procrastination… (such an ugly word) of starting gym again and I can honestly say, I feel so good and chuffed about this.

In Mummanopoly’s world, this is a huge leap and a good way to use my small pockets of “me” time!

“GYM feels great!”

This is the end of my full Second week in and I feel so fresh and as though a butterfly is emerging out of its cocoon.

I think the picture below is a good representation of how sluggish, restless and lethargic I was feeling in my old state before gym particularly with the recent dull weather spells.

“I felt I needed to add something colourful to my day to day routine and Gym has done just that!”

Dance Class & Pilates 💃🏾🧘🏾‍♀️

I’ve mainly been attending classes (Zumba and soca dance , power pump, abs blast and Pilates) as my aim is not weight loss but simply to add a good helping of oxytocin and build some muscle tone!

Dance classes are the way forward and personally this has boosted my confidence and brought out my playful side too. The classes are so much fun and relaxed, everyone is there first thing in the morning with the same agenda ‘to listen to some feel good music and exercise’.

Following my dance class I usually attend Pilates , which is good for stretching, meditation and relaxing my muscles straight after an intensive dance class. The lights are dimmed very low and the contrast in atmosphere is exceedingly soothing.

The benefits

I’ve also been doing some background research along the way and the benefits of general exercise, pilate and dance is quite interesting.

The benefits I have noticed personally already is amazing and I have listed some below.

1. Reduces stress and anxiety levels

I feel less irritable and knowing that I have nourished my body by exercising feels like an incredible achievement straight after a work out, which sets the day ahead nicely, my mood is lifted 10 fold and I feel I can take on anything, honestly. I feel sexy when I walk out into the fresh air and I walk with such a bounce in my step!

2. BOOSTING self confidence

In a room full of confident bold women of different shapes and sizes there is no room for shyness or embarrassment and it’s just the perfect environment to let your hair down for an hour and really have fun.

3. Good stuff for your brain cells

One reason why exercise is so good for your brain may be because it stimulates the production of a protein called FNDC5, which in turn triggers the production of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic Factor). In your brain BDNF not only preserves existing brain cells, it also activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons and effectively makes your brain grow larger. Which helps to enhance memory, attention and concentration skills.

4. Better sleep and energy boost

According to studies exercise done in the early morning and afternoon helps to reset the sleep wake cycle by increasing our body temperature slightly, which in turn allows it to drop and trigger sleepiness a few hours later. By having better sleep and deep sleep this will considerably improve your concentration and alertness the following day. Deep sleep helps us to boost immune function, support cardiac health and also eliminates symptoms of depression and anxiety.

5. Slows down that ageing

According to an article by VOA News Exercise reduces cell ageing people who have consistently high levels of physical activity have younger cells as measured through the length of telomeres.

Telomeres are protein end-caps of our chromosomes, which shorten as we age because the school time a cell replicates they shorten a tiny bit. Exercise appears to stave this off.

6. Add a glow to your skin and feel Gorgeous!

Our cells renew everyday, so why not keep our cell banks active and fully charged for this cell making process. Exercising increases our blood flow which helps to keep a smooth transition of oxygen and nutrients throughout our body and a surge into our skin.

Have you heard of that new face mask called ‘Sweat’ it’s a Fab facial!

 

Thanks for reading guys, I hope I have encouraged some of you to keep going, to start gym or to take up a regular fitness activity into your day to day routine … (What was that?… I’m sure I didn’t hear you procrastinate? ) – Mummanopoly 💋