Exercise May Strengthen Your Brain

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES

You know how exercise feels when you do it.  The burn in your muscles, the sweat pouring down your face, and the fatigue you feel in your muscles.  You may feel GREAT after your workout due to endorphins racing through your brain.  However, what you might not know is that exercise may strengthen your BRAIN.  And this may be the key to stopping your cravings for junk food and overeating.  Let me explain…

Your Brain and Overeating - There are specialized cells located in the front of your brain called the prefrontal cortex.  This area of the brain is responsible for many different things - especially DECISION MAKING skills.  And this is the MOST IMPORTANT component to this article.  Why?

In overweight and obese individuals, there is a significant decline in signaling from this area of the brain.  It is not due to the brain being damaged, but it is due to the relentless strain that occurs in an obese environment.
So this area starts to work at less than 100%.  This limits the capacity and the influence the prefrontal cortex has on your FOOD choices.

And this may mean you are GOING to overeat
if the chance presents itself

And overeating may lead to increased weight gain and higher obesity levels.  When there is an increased demand on your prefrontal cortex, you may just be creating your need to overeat!  It may then become a vicious cycle.  But there is a most unlikely savior, and one which most people hate a love/hate relationship with.

Exercise - Everyone understands that exercise is good for you.  It creates a great sweat, good pump, and reduces risk factors for the development of diseases.  The best part of the workout, though, is when you are finished!  Exercise creates an environment where good hormones are released in your brain, giving you that feel-good feeling.  But exercise may also influence the prefrontal cortex.  Exercise may be able to counteract the effects of overeating.  Naturally, you would think this anyhow!  

But research from Harvard may prove this phenomenon.  Exercise may be able to enhance executive function and enhance goal-oriented behavior.   

Exercise may help your body to re-learn
 and adapt for better control

Exercise may enhance “top down’ inhibitory control, allowing for better decision making.

 Exercise may help suppress the need to overeat

 Exercise may also be able to increase vital tissue and strengthen connections in your brain.

Exercise And Your Weight - You know how good exercise is for you.  Exercise can strengthen your cardiovascular system and your muscular system, making it easier to do everyday activities.  Exercise may also help you burn extra calories, which may control weight loss.

Exercise may help with WEIGHT CONTROL andCALORIC EXPENDITURE

Now exercise may also be able to control and suppress your need to overeat by directly affecting your decision-making area of your brain.  Physical activity and/or exercise may be a new method for strengthening your brain, possibly helping you to lose weight by preventing you from eating too much.  If you are having a hard time losing weight and have NOT started an exercise program, maybe it is time to look into it.  It may strengthen your brain AND help you boost your metabolism at the same time!