Huey\’s New Drug

Those of us who believed it really was hip to be square understood what Huey Lewis and the News was talking about when Huey sang I Want a New Drug.  Taking into consideration the qualifications necessary for this new drug (can’t cost too much or come in a pill, won’t make him nervous, keep him up all night, or sleep all day) and the fact that in the video Huey runs part of the way to his gig in the video indicates to me he was talking about exercise! OK, that may be a stretch, but exercise does meet his desired new drug requirements.

Truthfully, being fit is not a big enough motivation to take up a lifelong habit of exercise. If you are not following a consistent exercise routine already, the dream of getting in shape or being fit most likely is not enough motivation to keep at it.

Take a moment to think about why you want to be in shape or fit (if you can define exactly what that means, let me know). In reality, people just want to feel good; that’s right – not nervous, able to sleep all night, and have energy all day. We want to be able to get up from a chair and not hear things creak (unless it’s the chair). If I told you about a drug that did all of these things for you (including doesn’t cost too much or come in a pill), you’d be all over it. What if on top of that, symptoms of depression or anxiety that you have been feeling began to diminish, or better yet, disappear?  What would you think about learning that your memory could improve, your ability to focus on important tasks gets sharper, and that you could make new friends who want to see you succeed at whatever you do?

Looking for instant gratification? You could be feeling better in about 5 minutes after you head out for a walk, bike or run? I can personally attest to the fact that there have been numerous times when I just didn’t think I was up for a run. I’ve done this long enough to know that within minutes I feel so much better; so now I head for that run even when I don\’t feel like it. I have never come back from a run feeling the same. I always feel better – especially mentally. Total Strength Fitness’s TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) Class references a study reported by the American Psychological Association which explains these exercise effects on study participants.

Most often, people think of aerobic exercise as having mental or emotional benefits, but strength training also provides psychological as well as physical benefits. In an article for Every Day Health, Chris Iliades, MD explains that strength training plays a key role in improving our mood. Strength training also helps strengthen your bone health and can be \”as effective as medication in decreasing arthritis pain.” Would you like to be able to move around better and keep weight off for good? Include strength training in your weekly routine.

I think a great case has been made as to why exercise should be Huey’s new drug. How about you? If you would like some great ideas on how to get started with a fun, effective life-long exercise plan, contact Total Strength Fitness to get started on just plain feeling good!