Episode 33 - Fit for Success: Embracing the Mental and Physical Benefits of Exercise

Jan 7 2022 • 38 mins

Even if new year’s resolutions aren’t your thing, there’s something about closing the book on the previous 365 days that brings new aspirations into focus. For many, those aspirations center on improved fitness, and while it sounds simple enough, the reality can be a little more confusing: After all, fitness can mean different things to different people, and deciding where and how to start can be a challenge. That’s where experts like Dr. Elizabeth Hubbard come in. An exercise psychophysiologist in UNT’s Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, she teaches exercise testing and prescription, as well as behavioral change strategies and health promotion. The co-director of the Behavioral Neuroscience Research Lab, her research expertise is in developing physiologically potent interventions to improve fitness, neurological function and brain health in clinical and aging populations. In this episode of UNT Pod, Dr. Hubbard discusses how to start – or restart – a fitness routine, how to best set yourself up for success, and how to reap the mental and physical benefits of whatever activity you find most appealing.

In this episode, we discuss:

● How to start, or restart, a fitness routine

● How to set SMART goals

● How to think about fitness in a more inclusive way

● The importance of recovery

● Breaking through mental barriers in exercise

● Fitness interventions for those with neurological disorders like MS and for older adults

● The mental/emotional benefits of exercise

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Elizabeth Hubbard, an exercise psychophysiologist in UNT’s Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation and co-director of the Behavioral Neuroscience Research Lab

Helpful links:

● Learn more about Dr. Hubbard