Last week I wrote about how much is being discovered about the link between fitness and the brain. I highlighted the book Sparks by Dr. John J. Ratey, MD, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and some well done, long term research proving the point.
This week I’d like to continue with the mind and fitness with a book a client gave me about the brain and the idea of neuroplasticity. The book is titled, The Brain That Changes Itself. It’s written by Norman Doidge, MD, a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and researcher on the faculty at Columbia University. What he means by neuroplasticity is that your brain can change. For many years scientists and people in general believed that your mind was set when you were very young and there was nothing you could do about it except wait for eventual degeneration. Doidge gives a lot of evidence showing that is not true. The brain can change over time in very fundamental ways.
What this has to do with Fitgevity is that contrary to some people’s opinion, it is possible to change, no matter what your age. One of the Fitgevity principles is; Planned positive change, even large change, can be executed after 50. I see that principle as belonging in the “duh factor” category, but it turns out not everyone believes or realizes it. Changing your life for the better with things like the Fitgevity Lifestyle is not easy. It takes time and commitment. Then again, for some people any change is not easy. My argument is that such changes are more than worth the effort. You’re still alive. Why not make it as stimulating, uplifting, enriching, inspirational, appealing, bracing, breathtaking, exhilarating, hair-raising, hectic, inspiring, interesting, invigorating, lively, moving, provocative, rousing, spine-tingling, stirring, thought-provoking, thrilling, adrenalizing, arousing, challenging, electrifying, energizing, gripping, and titillating as possible? Or at least make it better.
Thanks for reading,
Rudy
