Well, it’s sort of all in the mind. You’ll need the cooperation of your muscles too, but when it comes to exercise, one of the most important tools you can access is your brain.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Think of it this way, if you want to achieve a goal, the first thing you have to do is SET the goal. You’ll need to map out how you plan to arrive at your goal. Will you have a deadline? How much time must you invest before you see a return? Is your goal achievable? Don’t set the bar too high make it something you honestly feel you could do.

When I started exercising in April I decided that I do some form of workout five to six days per week. I walked, did Pilates, aerobics and eventually I began using weights. I did not run. In all honestly, at just over 200 lbs, I couldn’t imagine running any distance without doing myself harm. My plan was to lose at least 25lbs and then I’d run. I’d be lighter, in better shape, and ready for the track.

Then something happened. My exercise buddy, author Teri J. Brown, and I talked a lot about when we’d start running. We both felt like we weren’t ready, even though Teri had lost just over 20lbs. She decided to go for it. I watched her and wondered if I’d get there any time soon. Then she said something that made me pause and really think. She said,

“Running is very much mental for me. My workout buddy (Ann Marie) knew I was ready. My husband knew I was ready, but I still doubted my ability to get around the track. I forced myself to do it and I didn’t die. A week later I had run a mile and a few days after that I was running two. My body wasn’t the issue it was all in my mind. I still have to psych myself up before I run.”

As I lay in bed the other night I thought about what she said. I thought about the 13 lbs I’ve lost and the strength I gained. I decided I’d try to jog the next morning. As I lay there in bed, I kept saying to myself, “You can do this. You can run. You are stronger and leaner. YOU CAN RUN.”

And I did. I had planned to be walking three miles by this time and decided I’d attempt a half lap of walking and a half lap of running. By the time I finished I was beyond excited. Not only had I achieved my goal of three miles, but I’d run 10 of the 12 laps.

I set my mind on a goal: three miles

I challenged myself: run some of those three miles

Since I have been exercising for several months now, my muscles were only a little sore the next day. More importantly, I feel like I can do anything if I set my mind to it.

Speaking of minds, did you know that exercise actually helps your brain to function better? Women who exercise on a regular basis show less memory loss than their sedentary counter-parts.

Neurologist Kristine Yaffe, MD found that women who walk showed a significant boost in test scores regarding cognitive thought. Better still, you don’t have to run a marathon to get the brain boosting benefits.

“We also found that for every extra mile walked per week there was a 13% less chance of cognitive decline,” said Yaffe, who is Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Whether you are simply trying to reach a new level of fitness or maintain your brain, exercise is not only good for your body; it’s good for the mind as well.