You’re Busy, but It’s True: If You Don’t Use It, You’ll Lose It

Summer means warm weather and fresh air again, but inevitably the pace of life speeds up. There’s always extra work (the garden needs tending) and a busy calendar (pool parties, picnics, backyard barbeques), and with too much to do and too little time, it’s increasingly hard to stick to your exercise regimen. So…what if you skipped a few days? What would it do to you? Well, the thing is, even a few days or a few weeks off, and it will begin to affect your brain as well as your body. It will affect endurance and strength. Your muscles will begin to shrink, and eventually, you’ll start to gain weight. At the same time, changes in your brain may affect memory, emotion, and ability to learn, and you may become less able to cope with stress. However, the bright side is that, with a little planning, you can regain motivation and employ strategies to keep yourself moving. Read more…