Strong Mind=Strong Body or Stong Body=Strong Mind

[Guinness42]

Not unlike "Which comes first,the chicken or the egg?"

Is it the strong mind that keeps the body motivated or the strengthening of the body that stimulates the mind?

For me, I had become a fat ass who for a couple of years ate rediculous amounts of whatever food was available at the time. Finally, I was tired of looking and feeling fat so I got off my ass and back into the gym. I would say this was a case of the mind waking up and motivating the body.

As I lost the weight and began to look decent again, the feeling of strength and a leaner and more muscular body motivated me to work harder. When I didn't feel like dragging my ass out of bed at 4:15AM, the thought of a great pump from a grueling workout has been just enough to motivate me to get up and get going. Could this be the body motivating the mind?

Finally, when I injured my back I had to stay out of the gym for almost four weeks. As my body became more weak, my mind did as well. I became depressed, and began to eat things I had not eaten in months. I was pretty much just pissed off at the world.For me this was a case of a weakened body dragging down my mind

So, what is your opinion? Does a strong mind=strong body or strong body=strong mind?

[gogz]

you need a strong mind in the first place to stay dedicated to achieve a strong body

[Guinness42]

you need a strong mind in the first place to stay dedicated to achieve a strong body

I agree, but as time goes on do you not feel like a stronger, better looking body motivates the mind to want to work harder and acheive more results?

[Stevelegh]

From a 'self medicating by exercise' depressive, it's really simple:

Exercise releases 'happy hormones' which makes it easy to carry on when you start.

Non exercise causes you to spiral downwards and makes it hard to start again.

There's no chickens or eggs.

If not working out gets you down, or if you're depressive then you have to put a simple fact firmly into your mind so you can call on it irrespective of mood.

Working out will make you happy.



It's really that simple........

[IronCamp]

you need a strong mind in the first place to stay dedicated to achieve a strong body

I agree.

For me, I believe a strong mind led me to want to achieve a strong body.

[SeaSiren]

IMO mind. I have begun working with obese persons, they don't want to be that large. They lack(ed) the will power / mind set to make it happen and change some very bad habits regarding their relationship to food.

[chodan9]

I dont know which comes first as they are so symbiotic in their relationship.
I know though that the mind plays such a vital role in fitness,
learning, finding motivation where none exists, becoming discliplined, doing excercises with correct form is as much mental as it is physical, achieving the elusive muscle/mind link can be a huge part of ones progress.
but as you stated a damaged body can create a damaged mind, before I had my back surgury and was sufferning through a ruptured disk with excruciating pain for months and months, I was depressed, dull witted and full of anxiety, but once the pain was gone after the surgury my outlook totally changed. the depression left and my mental focus returned,
conversly, when I began to focus on a fit lifestyle (mind first) and started getting the benefits I have gained even more mental focus, and a much more positive mental outlook.
Not to mention my emotional health has much improved, so much of what we say and do, and how we react to day to day stresses is related to our self image, so having an improved self image helps in those areas for sure. Just having improved self confidence is such a huge plus.

[claycat]

For me it is the mind. See my sig.

[phikappa]

Yes.

[dbx]

Yes.

I concur.

[ultim8-one]

For me .. it's always been "Mind over Matter". For example, when I quit smoking (12-19-99) I decided that I was never going to smoke again .... ever. So I quit cold turkey because in my mind I had already made the decision. When I start craving carbs at night it's my will power, which comes from the mind, that keeps me on track. There are always mitigating circumstances, like injury, that force an exception to the rule but it's always my mind that gets me back on track when there are no other real obsticles.

Good thought provoking question !!

[Guinness42]

Thanks for the responses.

I guess it does all start in our heads. I do think it is interesting though how the body has an effect on the mind for better or worse.

[phikappa]

I concur.

Great minds think alike.


Or is it, strong bodies think alike? Or, did my mind tell my body what to think? Can bodies think?


wut?

[Guinness42]

I concur.

Yes.

Great minds think alike.


Or is it, strong bodies think alike? Or, did my mind tell my body what to think? Can bodies think?


wut?

That's funny. I probably deserved that for the confusing rambling in my OP. But that's no reason to insult DBX

[DanVanVliet]

Loose woman with a tight body. just sayin

[Guinness42]

Loose woman with a tight body. just sayin

Lol, so much for logic

[DanVanVliet]

Lol, so much for logic

Had to

[ironwill2008]

Where the mind goes, the body follows.

[gbg]

Read my signature

[rockeo]

the mind is the strongest most important muscle ....ya herd !!!!

[gbg]

the mind is the strongest most important muscle ....ya herd !!!!

well.....maybe the most important muscle to you

[Mark1T]

Strong Mind = Strong Body and vice-versa.

On the day of every one of my securities exams I worked out beforehand. Passed all of them because I felt good and was glad to have it done and out of the way.

[Guinness42]

well.....maybe the most important muscle to you

Lol, Great minds think alike. I remember reading that somewhere recently

Strong Mind = Strong Body and vice-versa.

On the day of every one of my securities exams I worked out beforehand. Passed all of them because I felt good and was glad to have it done and out of the way.

This is was I was getting at. I did a poor job of explaining it though.

[rockeo]

well.....maybe the most important muscle to you

i c your humor is in good form this evening !

oh really gbg - so what do u consider the most important muscle - Hmmmmm, smarty pants !!!

[gbg]

i c your humor is in good form this evening !

oh really gbg - so what do u consider the most important muscle - Hmmmmm, smarty pants !!!

must be a full moon

[partsRheavy]

Strong body balances the mind.

I think exercise is a matter of just doing it. (apologies to Nike).

Then, the mind will follow.

A person can think or dream about something all day and not actually do it. Whether it's exercising or going to Maui or whatever.

Doing the exercise accomplishes what it does (burn calories, stress muscle, walk 5 miles or whatever), and the mind will follow.

[DAVEZILLA]

For me it is the mind. See my sig.

wut that you watch the Food Network for porn

[gogz]

Strong body balances the mind.

I think exercise is a matter of just doing it. (apologies to Nike).

Then, the mind will follow.

A person can think or dream about something all day and not actually do it. Whether it's exercising or going to Maui or whatever.

Doing the exercise accomplishes what it does (burn calories, stress muscle, walk 5 miles or whatever), and the mind will follow.

'just doing it' is actually pretty hard for some people who lack motivation