Word up

Morning all. It's C.O.L.D. where I live today. So we're going to need a little more motivation than usual. Well, I am anyway...

So before we get to the fun music, which is especially chosen to get us inspired to move, let's just have a little recap on why, again. I've taken this information word- for-word from www.brainhq.com.

"...you can actually get an additional brain boost by donning your sneakers and hitting the gym. The benefits of physical exercise, especially aerobic exercise, have positive effects on brain function on multiple fronts, ranging from the molecular to behavioral level. According to a study done by the Department of Exercise Science at the University of Georgia, even briefly exercising for 20 minutes facilitates information processing and memory functions.

Exercise affects the brain on multiple fronts. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the bodily release of a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells.

Exercise stimulates the brain plasticity by stimulating growth of new connections between cells in a wide array of important cortical areas of the brain. Recent research from UCLA demonstrated that exercise increased growth factors in the brain—making it easier for the brain to grow new neuronal connections.

From a behavioral perspective, the same antidepressant-like effects associated with "runner's high" found in humans is associated with a drop in stress hormones. A study from Stockholm showed that the antidepressant effect of running was also associated with more cell growth in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for learning and memory."

Ok, I'm in. I'm dressed, layered up, and ready to run - that's the other benefit of cold - you'd rather run than walk, to warm up more quickly, right? Right - work with me here.

And then there's the music. Little Mix - Word up! It's catchy, cute and has a music video that'll get you moving.

Here are some excerpts:

"There's got to be a reason - And we know the reason why"

And

"Wave your hands in the air

Like you don't care

Glide by the people

As they start to look and stare

Do your dance

Do your dance

Do your dance quick, mama

Come on, baby tell me what's the word

Word up

Everybody say

When you hear the call

You've got to get it underway

Word up

It's the code word

No matter where you say it

You know that you'll be heard"

Happy Monday. Happy training. Happy week.

Here's last week's motivation - Living in the Moment.