Brain training – its the new, NEW…

I’ve been working on my fitness for the past two years, then I started to read a book (I still haven’t finished it) – The brain that changes itself – Norman Dodge –  it talk about the brains ability to forge new connections – neural pathways – no matter how old you are and that through simple exercise you can enhance your cognitive capability. So now, I’m not only training my body but I’m also training my mind using Luminosity and Brain science.

Why?

I’m nearly 40 and I wanted to feel fit, fabulous and healthy for this milestone. I also want to adjust (if possible) my physiology had a deep understanding that I’d given my body and brain a good beating in my 20’s and early 30’s. I was a firm believer in the work hard party harder mentality, only the party seemed to consistently win out of over the work and hence my career and career status suffered as a result. People change, beliefs change everyone can change but only if they want to…

Some would say you should not openly discuss this kind of thing on a blog, but I say, why not? I’m human, I’ love to socialise and now, having recognised this was not a sustainable way of living I have turned a corner and am heavily focused on how I can hack my brain, rebuild my capability and, ideally, increase, fitness, iq, EQ (Emotional Quotient) and ability to deliver amazing work, results and presentations.

I’d like to present to people that while we all make mistakes, it’s those mistakes and the willingness and commitment to change that define who we are in the future.  Our past teaches us lessons but as our future is unwritten it’s only our desire to accomplish and commitment to that journey that make these changes possible.

So, what has this journey entailed;

1. Quitting smoking – I still have the odd cigarette and yes I do sometimes enjoy them but in general I hate smoking and the smell and hate it even more once i have smoked a cigarette

2. Committing to a healthier lifestyle. – I still love chocolate, burgers and chips and yes I still eat them, however I do my best to balance out some unhealthy eating habits with healthier habits like running and push-ups, the gym and of course my favourite…BOOTCAMP with Scuba at My fitness journey.

More recently I have started working as a Business optimisation consultant with an amazing organisation called Sitecore who have created the greatest digital marketing platform for amazing customer engagement. This test my mental capability at every turn, so I am constantly reading or working to stay ahead of the curve when it come to digital and business strategy.

So how does this all relate back to training my brain?

It’s getting more oxygen through exercise I recently read on luminosity that riding a bike is a great way to reduce street and promote the growth of new brain cells. Now I used to ride a bike, and probably will again, but I’m more into running and bootcamp at this stage.  I know when I don’t exercise as my stress level do go sky rocket and generally I end up in an argument with my ex about parenting..

So, I’m staying fit and brain training, I’m forging new neural pathways and strengthening my cognitive capability everyday, hopefully it reaps rewards in my personal and professional life.  Whatever happens creating habits like this will last the rest of my life and will hopefully cascade across to my daughter as well.

I’ll track my progress weekly where possible to see where I end up and I’ll most probably try other things to make thinking easier.

CHANGE IS CONSTANT.