Focus on Mind and Body Fitness
Most people know that the mind and body affect each other. When your body is physically ill, your mind reacts by shifting your mood. You may feel depressed or irritable because you don’t physically feel well. In the same way, if your mind is “ill” or you’re in a bad mood or depressed, your body may react by giving you physical problems—a headache or backache perhaps. This often happens to alert you that something is wrong and to help you get your mind and body back in a healthy balance. Your weight loss doctor can provide you with insight about beneficial ways to lose weight as you focus on mind and body wellness.
When trying to lose weight, it’s important to have the balance that comes from total mind and body fitness. Your body is undergoing changes with weight loss, and your mind may think something is wrong. Fortunately, there are exercises you can use to help keep that balance, as well as work toward mind and body fitness.
Yoga is a popular low-impact exercise. The positions and movements increase flexibility and strength. The gentleness of the routines, as well as the focus on breathing, allow your mind to relax, reduce stress, and center yourself. The purpose of yoga is to unite your mind, body and spirit, which helps you achieve the mind and body balance that you need to be healthy.
Pilates is another popular exercise that is also low-impact. The exercises focus on the abdomen and back muscles, but the positions help to create an awareness of your body and its positioning, which joins your mind and body in a similar way that yoga does. Like with yoga, breathing is an important aspect of Pilates practice.
Meditation is a relaxing way to reduce stress and benefit heart health. Research has shown that practicing transcendental meditation—that is, sitting silently and repeating a mantra—may cut your risk of heart attack and stroke almost in half. As well, most forms of meditation have been known to lower stress and reduce blood pressure. There are many ways to meditate—walking, guided and transcendental meditation among them—so find one that works best for your lifestyle and preferences.
