Motivation for Exercise

What motivates you to exercise? Maybe it’s a specific goal you’ve set for yourself, or a desire to get fit, or outside encouragement from friends and family. Via text message, we asked some participants what motivates them to exercise, and here are some of the answers.

“Great stress reducer and time to problem solve”

Exercise can be great for your emotional health as well as your physical health. Exercise boosts endorphins, brain chemicals that improve your sense of well-being and decrease anxiety. Plus, focusing on a singular task while exercising will help you to forget about stressful parts of your life for a few minutes. So if you have had a bad day, or if you feel like you’re in a rut, exercise can help to clear your mind.

“I work out with a group of folks that we lean on as a motivator”

Exercising with others can help to set a regular workout schedule, plus you might be influenced by your friends’ workout habits. By exercising with a group, you can set goals and work toward them together, getting support along the way. See last week’s blog post for more tips for exercising with others!

“Weight control and increased energy.”

Weight control and physical health are common reasons for exercising — but don’t forget about the emotional benefits! If you’re feeling low on energy, you may want to take a nap instead of going to the gym, but studies have shown that exercise can actually decrease fatigue and increase energy.

If you are deciding whether or not to exercise today, think about what provides motivation for you. From weight loss to stress reduction, there are countless benefits of working out regularly. Keep texting us your ideas and feedback!

Don’t Flounder: Adding Fish to Your Diet

Salmon? Sea bass? Sole? There are many ways to achieve the recommended two weekly servings of fish. Via text message, we have been asking what types of fish you have been eating — many participants have listed salmon and tuna among their favorites.

Why is fish important for prostate health? Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which should be part of any balanced diet. There may be other factors in fish contributing to it’s benefit. Research has suggested that eating fish may lower the risk of prostate cancer recurrence after diagnosis. If you can, adding fish to your diet is preferable than taking fish oil supplements.

For a simple way to incorporate fish into a meal, try a tuna-salad sandwich or some smoked salmon with cream cheese. If you have more time, check out one of the recipes on the Prostate 8 website — from “Miso Glazed Cod” to “Salmon with Hazelnut and Herb Relish,” the website offers many healthy and delicious ideas.

When you’re standing in the grocery store, it may be difficult to know what to look for when buying fish. Check out our shopping guide for help! On the Prostate 8 website, click on “Eat Well” and then “Shopping Guides.” The fish shopping guide will give advice for how to tell if fish is fresh; how to buy frozen fish; and how to store your fish at home.

We hope you have a great week, and we encourage you to try a new fish recipe today. We look forward to reading your text message responses!