Boost your mental fitness

Mental fitness is the ability to cope with whatever life throws at you. It's key to being more productive and reaching your potential. Heidi Scrimgeour discovers ways to strengthen and improve it...

- By Heidi Scrimgeour

Five months ago, I embarked on a health kick. Before you turn the page in search of a more meaningful read, let me explain. I'm several pounds (okay, a stone or three...) overweight, and I have hypothyroidism. This means I find exercise challenging and that my efforts don't really pay off in any discernible way. So why bother? Because I feel a million times better when I exercise compared to when I don't - everything from my mood to my sleep improves.

So, what of it? This week, I secured what the gym bunnies call a personal best. My torture device of choice is a contraption called an assault bike. As the speedometer crept past the point where it usually gets stuck, I was awash with pride. After spending Christmas feeling frumpy and unfit, I was determined to make a change to my physical fitness. Now, I had persevered with an exercise regime long enough to achieve a PB. The inner glow of accomplishment felt electrifying.

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