When you begin an exercise program, you are most likely to eat healthier too, according to a recent study.  Scientists have found that once you begin working out regularly you are more likely to choose the healthier option than the unhealthy version. I have been exercising for as long as I can remember, and I don't need a study to tell me that it makes me feel better, stronger,  and confident.  It also provides the momentum to make better nutrition choices. After a workout, I am more likely to choose foods that fuel my body and continue to make me feel healthy. 

To get you started, here is a free link to my workout video that I did years ago on the beaches of Atlantic City...

The study by the International Journal of Obesity followed more than 2,000 people who didn’t usually exercise. They agreed to a fitness plan and worked out on a regular basis for 3 months. The result? Over the three months, although not told to follow a diet, they changed their food intake just because they were working out more than they ever had before. 

People began changing their diets, choosing more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, instead of fried foods, sodas, and sugary snacks, such as cookies and donuts. Exercising regularly prompted them to eat healthier on their own!  When you are putting effort into fitness, you feel better and don't want to ruin that feeling by eating a candy bar.

The researchers noted that working out can actually improve and rewire your brain. The brain will, in turn, release mood-boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. The bottom line, exercise goes way beyond just improving your fitness, it can boost your confidence and help you make better nutrition decisions too. 

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