How you can make getting fit, healthy and happy inevitable

Ash Thomson • Dec 31, 2022

If you eat and exercise with awareness and you associate that with a happy life, you’ll build the habits you need to live a healthier life too.

In May, 2005 a nationally acclaimed psychologist who specializes in eating disorders was arrested in West Hartford, Connecticut after inhaling aerosol from whipped cream cans and passing out on a supermarket floor. The woman claimed later to have been in a state of deep psychosis due to an extreme deprivation diet she was experimenting with.


Yes, a healthy, educated young woman who was an expert and acutely aware of the psychological processes going on when dieting craved sugar so desperately that she almost killed herself. That’s a solid case study in why fad diets don’t work. Telling yourself to ‘just do it’ doesn’t work. At least not for most of us and certainly not for very long.


Most people eat what we like for psychological reasons. 100% of people drink or smoke for psychological reasons. It tastes good, it makes you feel good, takes the edge off, whatever, but you’re doing it to change your state somehow. You eat and drink to feel good, and when something feels good you naturally want more.


That feeling is just a logical association you make though. It’s got nothing to do with macro-nutrient proportions or recommended daily intakes.


Consciously or subconsciously our brain makes connections between things we sense – sights, sounds, smells, tastes – and how we feel about them. The smell of sunscreen reminds me of the beach as a kid, and makes me feel happy and joyful – even when we were living in Switzerland over 600km from the closest beach. The smell of insect repellent reminds me of growing up in Australia and I feel nostalgic. Despite being chemical, even toxic cues, I have very positive associations with these things and they instantly trigger strong, positive emotions.


We’re left 100% to ourselves to interpret these senses. If you can associate a healthy diet and exercise with feeling good, and unhealthy food and overeating with pain then you will actually want to eat healthier and you’ll enjoy it. Once the association is there and it’s strong enough, to your brain there’s no difference. You will literally crave the avocado and rocket salad with the same fondness as the guy next to you is enjoying his mega-burger and beer.


Try it yourself.


You need to work on it and it takes a bit of time to get the habit but this is powerful stuff. Once you start feeling good, if you eat and exercise with awareness and you consciously make these associations, you’ll build the habits you need to live a healthier life. It’s that simple.


Try this for just ten days. If you can change the way you think about food then getting fit again is easy. Once you start thinking about how food and exercise is making you feel, you’ll actually want, even crave healthier food.


What do you have to lose? If you decide you really do like pizza and don’t care that it makes you sick you can apply that sensory acuity to a future life free of guilt. That’s not bad. If you feel better you can choose to continue and profoundly effect your own future and the futures of those around you.


Share

By Ash Thomson 28 Apr, 2024
Are you lacing up your running shoes after a long break? Good for you! Running offers a multitude of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being, and offers probably the biggest bang for your buck in terms of fitness and health, and accessibility. But did you know that pairing your running routine with regular sports massage can enhance your overall health and leave you feeling better than ever before. The Health Benefits of Running Running isn't just about burning calories or building stamina; it's a holistic exercise that can positively impact every aspect of your health. Here are some key benefits: 1. Improved Cardiovascular Health: Running strengthens your heart, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. 2. Weight Management: Running burns calories effectively, helping you shed excess weight and maintain a healthy body composition. 3. Enhanced Mental Health: Regular running releases endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators, reducing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. 4. Increased Bone Density: The impact of running stimulates bone growth, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and improving bone strength. 5. Boosted Immune System: Moderate running can enhance immune function, reducing the likelihood of illness and promoting overall well-being. Starting Easy: Tips for Beginners If you're new to running, it's essential to start slowly and gradually increase your intensity to prevent injury and build endurance. Here's how you can ease into a running routine: 1. Begin with Walking: Start by incorporating brisk walking into your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking most days of the week to build a base level of fitness. 2. Incorporate Intervals: Alternate between walking and jogging intervals to gradually increase your cardiovascular fitness . Start with short jogging intervals and gradually extend the duration as you become more comfortable. 3. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels during and after each run. If you experience pain or discomfort, take a break and allow your body to recover before resuming your training. 4. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to progress. Aim to run or walk-jog regularly, gradually increasing your distance and intensity over time. Enhancing Recovery with Massage Therapy To complement your running routine and maximize your results, consider incorporating regular massage therapy sessions into your wellness regimen. Massage offers a range of benefits for runners, including: 1. Faster Recovery: Massage helps to alleviate muscle soreness, reduce inflammation, and promote faster recovery after intense workouts. 2. Injury Prevention: By addressing tight muscles and imbalances, massage therapy can help prevent common running injuries such as shin splints, IT band syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. 3. Improved Flexibility: Massage techniques like stretching and deep tissue work can improve flexibility and range of motion, enhancing your running performance and reducing the risk of injury. 4. Stress Reduction: Just like running, massage therapy promotes relaxation and reduces stress, helping you achieve a greater sense of well-being. We want to help you! Embarking on a new fitness program is a powerful step towards better health and vitality. By starting slowly, listening to your body, and incorporating massage therapy into your routine, you can enhance your running experience and reap the numerous benefits for your body and mind. At Noosa Back Massage we've experienced the ups and downs from elite professional fitness to extended breaks for all kinds of reasons - injuries, family breaks, business breaks. We can relate to wherever you are right now and would love to help. Check out our other blog posts or get in touch today!
By Ash Thomson 25 Apr, 2024
This is your life. Do what you want and do it often.
man working out at night
By Ash Thomson 09 Mar, 2024
Our thoughts on health, wealth and living your best life
By Ash Thomson 09 Feb, 2024
Golf, a game of precision and strategy, demands more than just skill and mental toughness. An often-underestimated aspect of achieving peak performance on the course is the physical conditioning of the body, particularly in terms of flexibility and rotation. Moreover, the importance of regular sports massage in maintaining and enhancing these physical attributes cannot be overstated. Why Flexibility and Rotation Matter in Golf 1. Enhanced Swing Motion and Distance : The essence of a powerful golf swing lies in the golfer's ability to create a wide range of motion. Flexibility, especially in the shoulders, back, and hips, allows for a larger arc of the swing, translating to increased power and, consequently, greater drive distance. Without adequate flexibility, the swing is restricted, and the potential for leveraging power from the core and lower body diminishes. 2. Improved Accuracy and Control : Golf requires precise control over the ball's direction. Flexibility and proper rotation contribute to better alignment and swing path, significantly improving shot accuracy. A flexible body can maintain posture and balance throughout the swing, ensuring that the clubface is correctly positioned at impact. 3. Injury Prevention : The repetitive nature of golf swings can strain muscles and joints, leading to overuse injuries. Flexibility and rotation capacity can reduce the risk by distributing the forces more evenly across the body and preventing excessive strain on any single part. This is crucial for longevity in the sport, allowing golfers to play more frequently and with less discomfort. 4. Recovery and Muscle Soreness : Regular play or practice can lead to muscle tightness and soreness, which, if left unaddressed, can hamper performance and increase injury risk. Flexibility helps in quicker recovery by ensuring that muscles and joints move through their full range of motion efficiently. The Role of Sports Massage in Golf Regular sports massage therapy plays a pivotal role in enhancing flexibility, promoting recovery, and preventing injuries among golfers. Here’s how: 1. Improves Flexibility : Sports massage techniques are designed to stretch the muscle fibers, increase blood flow, and promote flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for golfers, as it helps in achieving a fuller range of motion, essential for an effective swing. 2. Enhances Muscle Recovery : Massage therapy aids in flushing out toxins and reducing muscle tension, facilitating quicker recovery after a round or practice session. This means golfers can return to the course sooner, with muscles that are less sore and more prepared for the demands of the game. 3. Injury Prevention : Regular sports massage can identify and address areas of tightness or potential injury risk. By maintaining muscle health and flexibility, the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other common golf injuries decreases significantly. 4. Mental Focus : Beyond the physical benefits, sports massage can also have a calming effect on the mind. A relaxed body contributes to a focused and clear mental state, crucial for making strategic decisions on the course and executing shots with precision. Flexibility and rotation are not just supplementary aspects of golf training; they are foundational to achieving and maintaining peak performance. Coupled with regular sports massage, golfers can ensure their bodies are primed for the physical demands of the sport, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing their overall game. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a competitive golfer, incorporating flexibility exercises and sports massage into your routine can lead to significant improvements on the course.
playing golf at pelican waters
By Ash Thomson 19 Jan, 2023
Increase your flexibility and mobility for more power and control in your swing
middle aged man playing golf at noosa springs
By Ash Thomson 07 Jan, 2023
While there's no way to guarantee you won't ever get injured, these four tips can help reduce your risk of getting hurt playing golf.
a young man looking super fit
By Ash Thomson 04 Jan, 2023
A post about getting fit, getting healthy and getting on with life.
digital art of running at night in noosa
By Ash Thomson 04 Jan, 2023
A guide for the amateur runner or triathlete on running longer, feeling better, and running faster.
edward hopper painting of golf at noosa springs
By Ash Thomson 04 Jan, 2023
Does massaging help golfer's elbow and what is it exactly?
More Posts

Get in touch with us here!

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

Jane Faber, New York

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Jane Faber, New York

Jane Faber, New York

Mon - Thu
-
Fri - Sun
-

4567 Sunshine Beach QLD

info@noosabackmassage.com.au

Contact Us

Share by: