Mental Calisthenics to Help Your Workout

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

27 Jun 2006 05:30 AM

We've talked about stimulating your brain using Nintendo Brain Age the other day, let's talk about other mental calisthenics we can do to help trim excess pounds and keep in shape. For example, working out regularly requires mental focus and clarity of purpose. You need to keep your eye on the ball so to speak and mental calisthenics is a great way to promote your fitness both physical and mental.

Mental Jumping Jacks

When do you like to work out? I do it every morning, the earlier the better. I joke that it's because I do it before my brain is awake enough to realize what I am doing - however the truth is that first thing in the morning - my mental clarity is sharper, my creative mind more flexible and I'm far more likely to maintain my focus.

The morning workout also helps stimulate thought. I like putting on programming on the television that I have recorded during the week - I alternate between my guilty pleasures of soap operas and watching documentaries that may have caught my eye. I may even channel surf to see if there is anything interesting on the history channel.

Reading While Working Out

I know many people who enjoy reading first thing in the morning while they are walking their two miles on the treadmill or climbing fifty flights of stairs on the stair climber. I've never been one of these people because reading while being extremely physically active is hard for me. But if you like to work out at home - here's a new challenge that you can do - play mental games on your Xbox, Playstation or Nintendo variety home station.

You can play everything from Soduku to Tetris to Crosswords to Scrabble. You just have to pick up the right game and depending on how you have your home set up done, you can stimulate your brain while you are working out.

Another great way to stimulate your mind while working out is to workout with a partner. Conversation can not only wake you up and keep you motivated, it can help you hone your mind and prep yourself for a day of tasks. So whether you like to make lists, debate politics, read a novel or watch a Soap Opera - stimulating your mind along with your workout benefits both mentally and physically.

What do you like to do to keep your mind stimulated while you are working out?

Related Articles:

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Keeping Kids Fit

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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