Too Much or Too Little can = The Blues

It's common sense when you think about it, and yet so easy to overlook. In fact, I would wager that a vast majority of people all around the world are constantly overlooking it because it is just that darn easy.

So what's the "it" I'm talking about? THE EFFECT(S) OF OVER- OR UNDER-EXERCISING, CHRONIC DEHYDRATION, AND POOR NUTRITION!!!

What tends to happen if you experience one or a combination of these lovely phenomenons? DEPRESSION :(

More and more studies are currently being published to support my claim, especially regarding under-exercising and poor nutrition, for they absolutely have an effect on cognitive functioning and performance. I have been occasionally or frequently feeling it for years now when I have blown myself out with physical training, haven't been eating regularly or well, or haven't been drinking enough water. Down goes my mood, out the door goes good quality sleep, and out the window goes most other things I could otherwise be enjoying!!!

The same goes for under-exercising, as that can have a pronounced ill effect on how we think and feel. Dr. Mercola just recently included in one of his newsletters a study about the power of exercise as an anti-depressant and how in a recent study getting adequate amounts worked better for a majority of subjects than a pharmaceutical pill!! Who would have thought? But this becomes obvious when you start getting regular physical exercise in whatever form(s) you like and really keep at it. Things in general just start to seem better...

Same goes for drinking enough water and eating the right amounts of the right foods at the right times. You can practice a great habit in consuming a glass or two of water with freshly squeezed or organic lemon juice (NOT from concentrate) upon waking each morning. It will get your digestive processes moving, fire up your metabolism, and energize you for the day. Yahoo! Depending on how physically active you are it is wise to continue drinking water throughout the day, and consuming 1-2 liters is generally good. Some say go for 3, but I would only advise consuming that much if either you are doing a lot of sweating or are engaging in some sort of cleansing or detox protocol. Water is also great for raising metabolism, and who isn't interested in that?!?!

Lastly, eating right. This means different things to different people, but to me it means eating just enough based on your needs. We all have different needs, but keep in mind, and your body will reflect this or not, many of us eat WAY MORE than we actually need, and if we all focussed a bit more on drinking more water with lemon instead of eating as much, we would be healthier, happier, and leaner :)

Now GET TO IT!!