Well, it's been a week since I last was at aerobics class. Today I'll be attending the Maxed Out class which combines strength drills and cardio. I've been so busy getting ready for school the past few weeks that I barely noticed that I hadn't been going to the gym. Now that I'm back in school, and know what to expect as far as my schedule, I can now look again at getting a fitness routine together. It's back to releasing those Endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural opiate painkillers. That's why when we're physically active the body releases these painkillers and we feel really good afterwards.
Did you know that without Endorphins our bodies would be in constant pain? Endorphins are the body's natural opiate pain killer. During my training as an Addictions Counsellor, I learned (and witnessed) addicts withdrawing from opiates (morphine, heroin, to name 2). People who become addicted to opiates stop producing their own Endorphins (Opiates). Their bodies become dependent upon the opiate substance of choice. During their withdrawal period and sometimes, up to as much as a year afterward, an addict's body and mind will be in constant pain. Sometimes it takes as long as a year after withdrawal and recovery to get our body's system to work properly again. Our bodies (those not in recovery from opiate addiction) would be in constant pain too if we didn't produce Endorphins. This is one good reason to stay away from any type of street drug. I realize that opiates come in prescription form too, but the bulk of addictions are developed from the street drugs.
So, it's time now for me to get ready and go pump some iron and some Endorphins. Working out also brings me closer to my fitness goals. Endorse your own Endorphins today through physical activity (moderate level). You will feel great afterwards.
There is a good book called Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert. You might like it. Early the book talks about how the brain works and her research in finding receptors in the 70's. Later the book devolves into her own unsubstantiated hypotheses on emotion and forgiveness and growth, etc. If you can ignore the bitterness she has about not winning the Lasko award and in turn the Nobel, it's actually a pretty good read.
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