Power Cleans for the Brain?

Per a recent article in Wall Street Journal “Even Old Brains Seem Flexible Enough to Enjoy a Workout,” in order to improve and grow, your brain requires a ‘new workout’ every now and again just like your body. It makes sense doesn’t it?

If you get into cruise control, or if an activity becomes mental white noise, then you don’t have to exert yourself any longer. This has long been known about weight lifting. A general rule of thumb is to change up your routine every 6 weeks or so. If you do not do so, your muscles and nervous system adapts, and it becomes white noise. It is really easy to do that same superset program with the thirty-second rest period week after week after week. However, after the first few weeks, your gains plateau. Your muscles need to have to struggle in order to improve. In other words, they need to focus in order to get better.

Obviously your brain works the same way. Thus in order to stay mentally strong, improve functionality, and stave off Alzheimer’s, continuous crossword puzzles is not the answer. You need to change up the program. Do some crossword puzzles, and then switch to Sudoku’s or other word puzzles. Maybe you could try video games. It might seem very clear, but it was an eye opener for me.

McFlurry - The anti-motivation

Have you ever had that friend…you know the one I’m talking about? You are trying to stay clean with your diet, to “stay on the wagon” so-to-speak. You are working hard, impressing yourself with you dedication and commitment. Everyday of solid eating is a victory. Then you are eating subway with that friend. He sees the McDonald’s sign, and craves a McFlurry. Then of course he asks you if you want one. Then he tells you that you want one.

These are the tough times. You think you finally have yourself in a rhythm of health. You have conquered your inner cravings and then that friend creates a new craving. These are the tough times. But, you must get through them. Maybe you explain the science behind it to your friend. What you are really doing is further convincing yourself why you don’t want to have a “cheat” meal. Keep the goal in mind. If you need a picture, go to men’s health and see those cover models. With everything we do, we need to keep the end goal in mind. Whether its abs of steel or traps’ that women will swoon for, you need to keep the goal in mind.

There is nothing wrong with not having these goals, but if they are important to you, they need to be incorporated into your life everyday in order to be achieved.