What if scientists today release news that they have found a secret pill that will:

• Improve aerobic fitness
• Enhance cognitive functioning, memory & learning
• Protect  against mental health issues
• Decrease by 60% your chance of getting Alzheimer’s  Disease

Who would line up to get a bottle?

I’m sure most of us would. But unfortunately there is no such magic pill that exists as yet. But there is a secret that does exist that will achieve all of the above:  It’s AEROBIC EXERCISE.

Our brains respond to exercise much like our muscles do – it grows and expands with activity and shrinks and atrophies with inactivity. The term for this relatively new science is called Neuroplasticity and Dr Ian Boyle gave a presentation on it just last week in Perth at the National Outdoor Education Conference.

It was once, not so long ago, thought that after childhood the brain was fully developed and what we ended up with was there for the rest of our lives. But according to Dr Boyle, new research into the neuroplasticity of the brain has showed otherwise. We now know that our brain remains ‘malleable, changeable and modifiable throughout life’ – it can change its structure and function in a way that allows us to assimilate new information and experience, and use this information to alter behaviour.

The term neuroplasticity has been coined because it likens the brain to plastic –‘ if it is warm you can bend it, you can mix it with chemicals, you can modify and reshape it. If you neglect it however, it stiffens, becomes hard and more difficult to us’.

New research is now showing that exercise dramatically affects the neuroplasticity of the brain and its optimal functioning. Dr Boyle believes that the real reason we feel so good when we exercise is that it makes our brain function at its best. Research has found that exercise dramatically enhances the hippocampus – the area of the brain responsible for learning, memories and spatial awareness. Ironically, stress, lack of sleep, depression and taking drugs dramatically affects the hippocampus negatively.

As we have become the most overweight nation in the world:

• 7 million Australians overweight (60% of popn)
• 2 million Australians obese (21% of popn)

…and 1 in 4 Australians are suffering from diabetes or an impaired glucose metabolism disorder

…and mental health issues are skyrocketing with depression being one of the major diseases affecting Australians

It is becoming more apparent that there is a strong correlation between the above societal trends and our lack of movement.                                          Our bodies and our brains need for us to Move More.

(Link to Dr Ian Boyle’s “The Brain Training”presentation: www.maximumpotential.biz)

And so I’m happy to announce that our Live Better Fitness Classes are back for 2010. Here at Mammoth Health we fully subscribe to the theory of brain neuroplasticity and are constantly educating ourselves on the latest scientific research on anti-ageing and optimal health.

Rather than trying to “schedule in” exercise into a busy schedule we prefer to Make Exercise the Priority of the day – and then schedule all the other things we have to do around it. And with the clear short term and long term body and mind benefits (and the lack of availability of a magical pill) why wouldn’t you?

The Mammoth Health “Live Better Fitness” sessions have been carefully designed to not only help you get back on track but also to take you to the next stage in your fitness development. And with the support and expertise of Geelong’s respected and leading Personal Trainer Tim Quilliam, you will increase your fitness level to a level you previously thought not possible.

• So if you have made the decision to take responsibility for your health and as a result unravel the secret to anti-ageing and optimum wellness;
• And you are ready to take a positive step forward and reap the benefits of this decision to ultimately Live Better;
• If you want to feel fantastic;
• If you want to Look Fantastic;
• If you are ready to experience boundless energy;
• And you want to increase your Vitality, Radiance and Wellness

...then we want you to join our amazing group! Not only will you get expert instruction, you will also experience the benefits of group support – encouragement and motivation from like-minded people who share the same goals and understand the same challenges and frustrations you are feeling. There are two “Live Better Fitness” weekly sessions: Tuesdays 6.45am and Thursdays 6pm. Sessions are approximately 45mins long. For more information or to register call Mammoth Health on 03 5243 9084. We’d love you to join us

If You Think It, If You Do It, then You Become It.

“Because it’s Not A Rehearsal” Live Better

© 2012 Live Better Naturally Pty Ltd