MIND OVER MATTER!

Get your head in the healthy eating game and your body will likely follow suit

Many of us have been under the impression that achieving our health goals primarily comes down to the food we eat and the exercise we do. But experts now increasingly believe that if we start with a "mind first" approach, we're far more likely to achieve long-term good health.

"We start with the mind because if we are thinking clearer, we're more prone to making better choices in life," explains Lexi Crouch, Endeavour College nutritionist and mental health instructor. "The journey of mind dieting gets you feeling really empowered in yourself and your choices." Here's how you can tune in to your thoughts through "mind dieting" to reap some serious health benefits.

1 EXERCISE... YOUR

When you next pull on your sneakers, do it for your brain, not your body. "If you go outside for a 20-minute walk, you will get clarity and a raise in [brain chemicals] serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for reward pathways," Lexi says. "Switch the mentality of exercise being about weight loss - when you exercise, you are happier and have more energy. Those are the real benefits." Lexi particularly recommends yoga for helping us learn to better connect with our minds. "Yoga is a great place to get clarity," Lexi says.