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Low Carb Diets and Exercise: Improve Your Mood! (FlipBelt Giveaway)

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How exercise improves your mood and helps you manage anxiety and depression. And win a FlipBelt, a great way to carry your cash, phone and more!

Low Carb Diets, Exercise, and Mental Wellness

We often focus far too much on the physical effects on exercise and not nearly enough on the mental and emotional effects. You already know I am a huge proponent of physical activity and I want to encourage you to get moving any way you can. But this really isn’t about achieving some false ideal of feminine perfection (or masculine perfection!). Looking like you are in shape feels good, of course. It gives you a bit more confidence when you like what you see in the mirror. But FEELING like you are in shape feels even better, and that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the mirror at all. Almost everything in life depends on our mental state. How we approach our day, how we handle frustrations and setbacks, how we connect with other people. Exercise and movement improves our mental and emotional well-being; why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of that?

You know it’s true. And you know there are about a zillion studies to back this up. I am not going to sit here and lecture you about how physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain, increases endorphins, blah blah blah. I am not the Mayo Clinic, I am simply someone who has discovered just how powerful exercise is. Do I like having muscles? Yup. Do I like that I am in better shape now than I was in my 20’s? You bet. But what keeps me returning to exercise daily is how I feel, both physically and emotionally. It’s not about achieving a better body. I could do squats until the cows come home and I will always have a flat, flabby butt. But those same squats that don’t appear to do a single thing for my backside do help me manage my mood better than anything else I’ve tried.

The versatile FlipBelt, perfect for running, walking, hiking

After my third child was born, I really struggled with anxiety and even some depression. That’s when I began running, and a few years later, I took up CrossFit too. I still have some anxiety at times, which is par for the course for a woman approaching menopause. Add three kids, a busy husband, and a fun-but-busy career on top of that and it’s no wonder I feel that panicky sensation in my chest some days. Every time I feel that way, a run, a walk, or a hard workout makes me feel immeasurably better. Every. Single. Time. In fact, I’ve noticed that the days when I really don’t want to go to CrossFit are the days I need it most. And those are the days when it has the most positive effect on me. It almost feels like magic.

That improved mood lasts all day long too. A few weeks ago, I had a terrible sleep and woke up feeling awful. Sluggish, irritable, and more than a little blue. I felt unmotivated and as if I wouldn’t be able to do any work at all. After the kids left for school, I knew I had to shake it up so I forced myself out for a run. And came back feeling fantastic and ready to tackle the huge pile of work on my desk. It wasn’t until about 7pm that the lack of sleep caught up with me again. Amazing, isn’t it?

Starting a brand new exercise program can feel like a monumental challenge, but you don’t have to run miles or lift hundreds of pounds to benefit from physical activity. A brisk 15 minute walk can calm your nerves and improve your mood. You already know it’s true, you don’t need me to tell you this. But  maybe you need me to motivate you a little bit?

So in the spirit of motivation, I am giving away 2 FlipBelts (2 different winners). A friend of mine recommended them for running but they are really good for any sort of exercise. I hate having things in my hands when I am walking or running, but I hate having something around my waist even more. The nice thing about these belts is that they stay nice and snug around your hips as you move. I love mine as it allows me to take my phone, my keys, and a little bit of money on my long runs. It doesn’t move at all, it doesn’t ride up and I don’t even notice that it’s there. Such a simple design but so incredibly useful. It even has a hook to secure your keys, so you know they won’t get lost.

The other day, I planned on hitting the grocery store on my way home from my run. I popped $25 in the little pocket in the waistband of my workout pants, thinking it would be secure. Lo and behold, it was gone when I got to the store, having somehow worked its way out. Bet that wouldn’t have happened if I’d made sure to put it into my FlipBelt!

Check out the great uses for and fun colours of FlipBelts here!

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Nutritional Disclaimer

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  3. Working out definitely has mental and emotional benefits! Thanks for the much needed reminder…just more reasons to get back on track and into a new routine. The FlipBelt would be a great addition to my newly forming routine 🙂

    Reply

  5. I have spent so much money on different running belts only to have them ride up or not hold everything I need so I would love to try this. I fill my pockets with keys, cash, tissue, snack,CGM, phone if it fits.
    Thank you for the motivation, you are correct the days we don’t want to workout are the days we need it most!

    Reply

  6. I’m a rower. I never have a safe place to put my keys when I’m on the water. It’d be great to tuck them into this belt!

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  7. I am not a runner but I am thinking about adding walking for the days I do not meet with my trainer. I am always stuffing a pocket with tissue and eye drops along with keys and phone .

    Reply

  10. Thank you for this giveaway – would love to stash a little money to pick up a water or my lunch – since I run on my lunch hour.

    Reply

  12. I try not to carry anything for the same reasons you mentioned! We have one of those keypad locks on our front door to avoid carrying keys. I would be great to be able to carry my phone easily though!

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    • I always carry my phone now, ever since I got a stress fracture a few years ago. Mile 6 on an 8 mile run. I had my phone, thank goodness, and was able to call my husband to pick me up.

      Reply

  13. I always bring my phone and a key to my house. It would be so nice not to store the key in my sports bra and constantly check for it! I fell/tripped the other day while running and didn’t really catch myself because I had my phone in my hand! Not good when you are pregnant! Wouldn’t have happened if I had one of these belts!

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    • Yes! I’ve done that same thing when running with my phone in my hand…although not while pregnant. Please be careful!

      Reply

  16. I take my keys, cell phone and some cash. If it’s sunny outside, I wear sunglasses and take my regular glasses along if I need to read something 🙂

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  19. I have a horrible back, but with therapy I think I am finally ready to do some interval walking. Walking is about the only exercise I can do but it does wonders for my well being. Would love one of those belts.

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  22. I carry my phone and my keys while I’m walking. I hate putting my keys in my pocket! But I can’t lock the keys in the car haha.

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  27. This is great. Now when I walk, I pack different things depending on which pants I’m wearing.And half the time I forget something. Love the idea of having everything in one place,ready to grab. Like an oh-so-much-better fannypack!….Wow, I’m dating myself!! 🙂

    Reply

  38. I am able to take everything because I go to the gym and take my purse. But when I go jogging (I don’t call it running because I’m not very fast!) I only take my keys. I’ve lost money be while money while running too!

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  40. You bet. Haven’t even thought of that old fannypack in ages! Thanks for bringing this to our attention, and the giveaway opportunity!

    Reply

  44. I carry as little as possible, but this belt would allow me to carry music and cash. Maybe ID and keys if in a different area.

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  46. I think the security of not having money disappear when I’m riding my bike to the store would be fantastic! I love to ride my bike to the store, I hate having things hanging off of me like backpacks and such. I always sweat so much into them and they get gross. I’ll carry my keys, my money and my ID. And I can’t wait to try this product!
    k

    Reply

  47. I take my house key and put it in a little key pocket in my pants, plus my phone, which I have out. Water, if I’m going a longer distance or it’s hot.

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  53. I usually take my phone and tissues, we live in a small town so keys and cash not a necessity. But I have been looking at and wanting one of these belts for my phone!!!

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  60. Always my ID and probably my phone. My key actually hooks through my laces so I have one less thing to worry about!

    Reply

  62. Thank you for the butt comment. Mine is the same. I can do squats all day long and nothing. My husband keeps on me about it, put nothing for my poor flat, flabby butt. when I lost the weight, I lost my butt. and being Italian and not having an inherited butt, well that’s just sad. But you are correct, when I don’t feel like working out for the day, nothing improves my mood or boosts my energy level then a good run / workout. Do you think it’s because we run?

    Reply

  63. This is really cool! I admit that I’m working out after a long hiatus & as such am mostly working out at home, but I’m looking forward to getting out doors more soon with my 13-yr-old! I’d carry a little cash, phone, drivers license, and my lip balm ;~)

    Reply

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