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Balcetis' talk focused on the power of the mind in motivating one to do exercise. She found that the ability to perceive things differently, in a more optimistic way, directly correlated to whether or not one would be able to motivate themselves to exercise. She promotes this 'Eyes on the prize' mentality which was shown to actually improve motivation and make people who otherwise would not move, to participate in exercise.

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The talk made me realize why so many top students I know are avid exercisers. This is simply because exercise is proven to improve the structure and effectivity of the brain's functions. Dr. Suzuki mentioned that exercise is able to not only boost mood, but improve long term memory retention, as well as improve reaction time and attention span. This effective allows one to be a better thinker, and in particular, a better student.

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What most stuck with me from the talk was two things: the importance of the spine and the philosophy of movement first. Firstly, people nowadays prioritize on strength, speed, power, etc, and while these are still highly important, many of us dismiss the importance of having efficient mobility that comes from a prioritizing the spine. Another good point from the talk was the mentioning of the movement first philosophy, which states that if we prioritize good smooth movements, healthy muscles will follow suit themselves.

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The talk is about the effects of the mind's perception on exercise. While it is interesting and backed by data, I find myself personally disagreeing with some of their findings. The main point of the video was that 'keeping your eyes on the prize' made exercise a lot easier for people. That is not the case with me, however, as I find that doing that made me more stressed and less motivated on my goal. Still, the video had a lot of good insights and I might try the strategy one more time.

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The TED talk is about the brain-changing effects of exercise that are very beneficial to one's health. As someone struggling with depression myself, I tend to ignore "exercise more" comments as I found them insensitive— hearing it from a neurosurgeon, however, made me feel more motivated. Through this talk, I have learned how exercise boosts one's mood and focus. I was surprised that it also increased the volume of the hippocampus that will protect the brain from illnesses.

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I was not surprised that sitting was 'dangerous' as I had already seen the dangers of improper posture. Still, I didn't realize the reasons behind it; this TED talk was an eye-opener for me. The speaker gave a lot of insightful ideas like the prioritization of the spine which the fitness industry often fails to prioritize. I am also guilty of sitting down too much and not practicing improper posture, but with this video, I will do my best to practice it.

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Individuals who are out of shape may tend to remain unhealthy due to their perception of themselves and their capabilities. Our physiological condition can significantly influence our mental outlook. By concentrating on the end goal and keeping our eyes fixed on the prize, the journey becomes more manageable and fulfilling. This suggests that a positive mindset and clear focus can play crucial roles in achieving fitness goals and maintaining overall well-being—focusing your eyes on the prize makes not only the exercise experience seem easier, but also other endeavors as well.

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This talk highlights that exercising not only improves our physiological appearance, but also boost the effectiveness of the other aspects of our health. It also discussed the short-term benefits of working out, such as enhanced focus, better mood, and faster reaction time, which help on building a habit that later on induces long-lasting effects, such as mitigation of cognitive decline due to aging. These findings hold true as I have personally experienced them through my workout routine, leading to improvements in my overall health.

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This talk reminded me of the importance of focusing on practically instead of mere impression. We should focus on the fundamentals of our body or have a sense of holistic approach to exercise. Being stronger and having muscles are meaningless if one is unable to move effectively and maintain a healthy overall well-being.

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I think that being able to recognize the reasons as to why our exercise experience may be different to those who we aspire to be like is very important in fully realizing our own fitness journey. However, I am skeptical of the "eyes on the prize" method. Other than the fact that the data from the modified, I believe that most people who go for a run outdoors also enjoy the change in setting; and focusing solely on the end goal may hinder this enjoyment.

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I found it interesting that exercise provided a benefit to one's mental health in areas other than just self confidence. While I have noticed that I felt generally happier after exercising I never really notice how much of an effect it actually had on my mood as I slowly stopped exercising regularly. This TED Talk gave me even more reasons to attempt to maintain my exercise schedule.

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I was reminded about the importance of proper posture upon watching this TED Talk. While I was aware of the importance of proper posture in our lives, I was unaware about the difference in philosophy when you actually care about the long term effects of your habit on your body. I found it very interesting that there was actually a significant difference between the spines of those who do and don't experience back pain.

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This talk has taught me to teach myself to shift my point of view on different things to the way I wanted it to become. One of the most powerful things in achieving your goal is focusing, not on the surroundings but towards your end goal. Focus has been hard especially nowadays when distractions are everywhere and the point is to see the goal differently and make it "easier" and "nicer" because it might become so. I mean, what is there to lose when you do a thing with a positive attitude?

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As we become older, our susceptibility to having incurable diseases increases, and with this, one way to prevent it from happening, or at least, delaying their effects on our body, is through exercise or physical activities. I somewhat relate to the speaker when she mentioned that she feels better and more focused after having exercise or physical activity. Her insights regarding the brain-changing benefits of exercise were the explanations of the feelings that people, and even I, experience during exercise like increased mood boost, energy, and attention. She also mentioned that even just 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 4 times a week could help in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

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I discovered that we are inevitably unlearning what was naturally given to us, which was the natural resting position. As the spine is the backbone of books as to humans, we should start observing and making sense of the book when it was first bought - so as to young children when they were still enjoying their innocence in the world. People should start relearning the proper posture before building the body or prioritizing the time, weight, and distance elements of a certain exercise.

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A wise poet once said, “Mind over matter is magic, I do magic”, this genius phrase is in line with the topic that Balcetis is emphasizing. She basically tells us that goals will get harder if we think that achieving it is hard, and to fix this we have to think about it more positively to gain a much more positive outcome. Like what another genius said, “Mindset ba, Mindset.”, our mindset is the crux of how we are going to achieve a specific goal.

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Contrary to popular belief, aside from improving our physical health, exercise is also beneficial to our mental health. Dr. Suzuki emphasized that exercise can provide significant mood boosts, increased attention span and enhanced protection against neurodegenerative diseases. It is also important to note that she mentioned that the exercise must be catered to your physical status so that you are able to target your goals more efficiently.

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I learned from the talk that we shouldn't always prioritize improving our muscles, the spine is a much more important part to focus on. Frampton used gymnastics as an example of focusing on improving the skeleton and the joints instead of muscles, and, in return, gymnasts have better postures and can move better. Sometimes small things like posture are overlooked. PRIORITIZE THE SPINE!!

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Our body has experienced wear and tear from destructive habits that we unknowingly do in our daily lives. However, the speaker emphasized that this change is not irreversible. Through proper posture and moving according to our body design, we can regain the once lost mobility that we had as children.

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Balcetis emphasized how our mindset influences our perception of fitness, suggesting that shifting our outlook on exercise can make it seem less daunting and more motivating. This change in perspective can help bridge differences in attitudes towards physical activity. By fostering positivity and focusing on our goals, workouts can become more manageable and enhance motivation, promoting better health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Her studies also indicate that improved fitness levels simplify the exercise experience, further highlighting the transformative power of mindset in shaping our fitness journeys.

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Suzuki emphasized the significant impact of exercise on one’s life. She highlighted how regular physical activity can significantly enhance mood and energy levels, transforming brain function. This improved brain function can increase motivation, strength, and overall well-being—such as sharpening focus, attention span, and memory retention. Suzuki concluded that adopting a consistent workout routine promotes immediate happiness and productivity and helps protect against brain diseases, ultimately leading to positive and lasting life changes.

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Frampton emphasized the importance of maximizing our body’s potential. He believed that measuring progress solely by time, weight, and distance is flawed. Instead, the focus should be on posture and the ability to move correctly—paying attention to how our joints and skeleton move naturally. By prioritizing proper movement, achieving other goals or desired results will naturally follow, as our bodies perform at their best when functioning as designed.

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Recognizing how our mindsets shape our perception of fitness goals and obstacles is essential. The notion of "keeping your eyes on the prize" underscores the significance of maintaining unwavering focus on our objectives, which can pave the way for clearer progress. However, personally, I diverge from this approach; instead of solely fixating on the end goal, I prefer to immerse myself in the present moment by staying attuned to my surroundings and deriving pleasure from the process rather than fixating solely on achievement so can I find exercise more enjoyable and less burdensome. This perspective resonates with my interpretation of Balcetis's talk, as it emphasizes the importance of deriving satisfaction from the journey rather than merely focusing on meeting predetermined exercise targets.

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Watching Wendy Suzuki's talk enlightened me about the enduring benefits of exercise beyond physical appearance, highlighting its immediate effects on the brain. Dr. Suzuki's lecture emphasized how exercise sharpens focus and attention, revealing its transformative potential beyond aesthetic and health purposes, but also in developing the capacity of your brain. Incorporating just 30 minutes of exercise, three to four times a week, can bolster immunity against neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline as we age. Dr. Suzuki's insights inspire me to adopt a 30-minute morning exercise routine to kickstart my day with energy.

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As someone who can do nothing but sit and lie down the entire day, Frampton's words struck a chord in me since posture is something I've disregarded as an aspect of fitness for a long time - partially due to my preconceived notion of "exercise", which is something that can only be achieved by building muscles and controlling your diet. His talk on relearning the ability to move like you once could as children is something that impacted me the most, understanding that the simple act of sitting down during long periods of time is actually taking away a part of you as you grow up, which is your J-shaped spine. Learning the importance of flexibility and posture gave me the motivation to work on flexibility and try yoga, as well as work towards relearning how to move properly. Frampton's talk served as a wakeup call, prompting me to conscientiously incorporate good posture habits - like avoiding slouching and walking with a straight chest - into every aspect of my life.

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As student leaders, it's essential to maintain an open-minded approach, acknowledging that others may hold differing viewpoints. Reflecting on the recent talk about varied perceptions of exercise resonates deeply with my own struggles and from a psychological standpoint, these differences may stem from our minds' intricate workings and diverse goals, impacting our long-term motivation. Understanding how our mindsets influence our perception of fitness goals and challenges is crucial. The line "keep your eyes on the prize" underscores the importance of maintaining focus solely on our objectives, facilitating a clearer path toward achievement. By disregarding external distractions and concentrating solely on our goals, we can find exercise more manageable and sustain motivation.

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Exploring the neurological impacts of exercise reveals its transformative effects on the brain, a lot of studies including the studies conducted by the speaker, consistently demonstrate that regular physical activity enhances cognitive function and memory retention. This is attributed to the release of endorphins, which alleviate stress and improve mood. It was also stated that exercise promotes neuroplasticity, enhancing the brain's adaptability and learning abilities which is helpful in everyday life. Initially, I didn't appreciate my friend's advice to do jumping jacks when feeling sleepy or overwhelmed, however, I've come to realize its effectiveness and helpfulness over time. Imagining the long-term benefits of incorporating just 10-30 minutes of exercise into my daily routine is truly amazing and it underscores the transformative power of consistent physical activity on both our physical and mental well-being.

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The talk resonated with me, particularly emphasizing the common pursuit of physical strength without considering proper posture and rest for muscle recovery. The speaker's modeling experience highlights the power of proper posture, contrasting it with societal norms, how it felt uncommon but feels powerful as well. He also introduce the language of gymnastics, focusing on joint movements rather than isolated muscles, challenging conventional fitness ideals. The discussion on spine shape evolution underscores the importance of prioritizing spinal health in daily life, which we commonly forget in our life growing up. Overall, the talk prompts reflection on how our movement patterns impact our physical well-being, suggesting a shift in focus towards holistic body care and emphasizing the significance of understanding our body's mechanics beyond superficial fitness goals; prioritizing our spine and movement rather than time, weight and distance as a basis of progress and improvement.

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TED TALK #3

The thing that really struck me with this talk is the psychological effect of the term "eyes on the prize" to people. Exercise, like any other thing in this world will and may always be perceived in a different light by different people. Through her research, she saw that motivation and the "end goal" is a key factor on how we perceive exercise. Normally speaking, it's hard for a person to acheive an exercise without a main goal and focus, and I think "eyes on the prize" created a focus for the participants making it 30% achievable. Through this activity, I was able to understand that a goal in mind and motivation can greatly influence our perception of exercise.

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TED TALK #2

The main message of this talk was actually something I have read years ago, "exercise is good for the brain" but in her words and as a neuroscientist, her terms were exactly "exercise is the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain" . Backed up with researched and personal experience, Dr. Wendy explained that exercise itself helps not only our physical body to maintain healthy and fir, but also our brain, providing us better retention, boosts of serotonin levels significantly and most importantly provides brand new brain cells. 3-4 times of exercise per week proves significant help in lowering our chances with neurodegenerative diseases as well. With this, Dr. Wendy stressed on the idea that starting exercise early on, can prove beneficial results not just to the body, but also the most complex organ we have, the brain.

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TED TALK #1

This TED talk primarily focused on how we SHOULD be moving despite what we have been accustomed to with the inventions of the chair and such. It provided a whole other view about movements and how it's crucial to move properly and that movement should also be given attention in the fitness industry. The words that stuck with me the most was his movement-first philosophy which states that focus on movements and muscles follow suits. When we focus on how our body moves, we are able to maximize the capacity of our body in an exercise whilst keeping a perfect form and a strong core.

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During her talk, Emily Balcetis delved into the variations in perception and interpretation of events, shedding light on how this impacts individuals' views on exercise. She highlighted the differing ease with which people approach physical activity. One suggestion that resonated with me was the idea of "keeping my eye on the prize," focusing solely on achieving the goal while filtering out distractions. However, I also believe it's important to find enjoyment in the journey, not just the end result.

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The key takeaways I got from the video is Dr. Wendy Suzuki compellingly underscored the profound impact of exercise on brain health, emphasizing its role in enhancing cognitive function and safeguarding neurological well-being. She explained how regular physical activity fosters the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, offering a multitude of benefits for overall brain health. Dr. Suzuki emphasized the accessibility of these advantages, noting that even a brief 30-minute workout can yield immediate improvements in mood and memory retention by activating various neurons. Her insights serve as a pivotal reminder of the diverse benefits of exercise, countering the misconception that its purpose is solely aesthetic, and instead highlighting its profound effects on holistic well-being.

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The video underscored the critical importance of maintaining a healthy spine, a fact often overlooked in our daily routines. Roger explained of the natural agility we possess from childhood and encouraged a return to that fluidity in movement. However, our daily activities, particularly prolonged sitting, often compromise the alignment and strength of our spines, leading to various back/spine issues. Additionally, the fitness industry often sidelines spine health in favor of muscle building and fat reduction, neglecting its pivotal role in overall physical well-being which includes the strengthening and protection of the spine.

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Exercising challenges our psyche almost, if not just as much as it does our physical. Being in the right mental state allows one to lower the difficulty of exercise, which allows for more focused and committed sessions. Also, having tunnel vision when exercising looks to be a nice mindset to have.

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Exercising changes the brain (for the good) more than we expect it to. From better focus, to faster reaction time, to improved long-term memory, the benefits our numerous. As a bonus, increased exercise improves protection against neurodegenerative diseases.

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My main takeaway is that society has allowed, even encouraged, the loss of our full range of motion. All these "metrics" for physical fitness propagated by Big Fitness (time, weight, repetitions) have taken away any and all awareness of our spine's conditions. What folks need now is the insurgence of the movement-first philosophy when exercising, all to restore the movement we were born with.

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The third video gave me multiple insights into why people disregard doing exercise in their personal lives. A point that I garnered is the multidimensional aspect of exercise. If one exercises and focuses on removing fat from their body, they should also start a diet, tracker, and plan. As a result, exercise takes time and dedication, not only motivation. It should be avoided with a forced attitude but instead with a habitual instinct that could last many years.

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How you use your body correlates with your brain's function. A simple jog can transform your mood positively throughout the whole day. As someone who frequently plays basketball, it provides me with a kickstart feeling. That feeling gives me the most dopamine I could ever have since it makes me more productive, positive, and willing to change. In essence, exercise affects not only affect your physical appearance but also your mental.

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The video encapsulated the importance of achieving a physically active lifestyle, hence the title. It is beneficial to watch since a lot of students have a lifestyle wherein they sit down or stay in a stationary position for a long time. I do believe the term "flexibility is power." Without it, one could be more prone to injuries and decreased movement. In short, stand up and stretch because that's already an exercise!

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Giving a more physical interpretation on the popular idiom, “Keep your eyes on the prize,” the speaker showed how various experiments proved that people found exercise to be easier and more achievable when they only kept their physical gaze on the prize. This then underscores the need for having small, achievable goals when working out. This would ensure that we can feel a sense of accomplishment when working out and would then motivate us to sustain our fitness routines.

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I’ve always been told that working out could positively affect my mood and could help me be a better student. It was then interesting to learn the precise mechanisms through which working out could accomplish this. The speaker highlighted how working out leads to an increase in volume of the hippocampus and the prefrontal complex, which could then improve attention, long-term memory, and reaction time. It was also interesting to hear about its protective effects on the brain particularly on neurodegenerative diseases.

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The video emphasized the importance of learning how to move the body using the natural form of the body, to encourage a J-shaped spine over an S-shaped spine. This interested me as learning how to move the body with its full range of motion could then increase one’s flexibility and muscular strength. As such, working with the body’s natural movement, even in small aspects, should be prioritized.

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It interests me how a simple act like sitting can have long-term consequences. I learned that it is important to prioritize the spine and learn how to move correctly in order to improve physical health and prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Yes, time, weight, and distance in fitness training may be important, but without focusing on how to move correctly, I don't think it is helping your body to improve.

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The speaker highlighted that exercise has immediate, long-lasting, and protective benefits for the brain, including improved mood, focus, and memory. I learned that exercise doesn't have to be exhausting, despite the fact that I believe many people view it that way. The movements you do in your daily life can be exercise. Walking in your neighborhood and taking the stairs are exercises. It's fascinating how powerful the brain works, how it expands when exercising and how it prevents us from developing diseases in the future.

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I think when we use the “keeping our eyes on the prize” strategy, we are motivated because nothing matters but the goal we have in mind, thus making it easier for us to reach that goal. Because when we look around and see other things, we might see that another person is reaching the goal faster, or someone is already on that goal. It may ruin our motivation because I really believe that comparison is the thief of joy. We all see the world through our own mind’s eyes so we also have to power to see it positively.

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Finally, for the third video, I believe in the principle that the amount of dedication and importance we put into an activity really does affect how we see that activity and how much joy we receive from it since this is the same principle that helps people stay on track with their academic and/or professional responsibilities. Without motivation and discipline, we do not see the beauty in the activities we are doing. In fact, we even begin to question why we are doing them in the first place and end up not doing them anymore, Due to this, I believe the third video is correct in emphasizing the importance of having drive and goals when exercising.

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Moving on to the second video, I find it quite fascinating that exercise can truly make you happier, more focused, and more prone to developing better memory. This is because I expected exercise to help much more in improving someone’s physical fitness rather than greatly contributing to someone’s emotional, mental, and cognitive capacities as exercise is normally promoted that way online. With this video, I believe now that exercise can make someone more well-rounded and more capable of becoming productive in their responsibilities while being more optimistic in their day-to-day living.

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For the first video, I believe that the muscular pain and musculoskeletal disorders we can get from not moving so much are easily preventable for us, especially now that the pandemic is easing. This is because we are starting to move more everyday to accomplish certain tasks like buying groceries, commuting, or even just walking up and down the stairs. This then means that we have an advantage already in improving our physical fitness in time for the late stages of our lives where disorders affecting our musculoskeletal system are prevalent.

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While the video definitely had its points, I have to disagree with the idea of focusing on the finish. To me, that simply sounds like getting something over without enjoying anything that is gained. Progress from exercises such as improved cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength are the fruits of arduous labor. Personally, it is much more effective to actually enjoy and be attentive of the journey towards the goal than the actual goal itself. Learning to love the progression also helps us be more consistent despite the hardships.

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While it is an age old adage that mind and body go together to make a man, it is fascinating how improving the body through exercises truly contribute to mental stability. It isn't just metaphorical, committing to improve bodily conditions has observable developmental effects to the brain. The good thing is, no one needs to be a professional athlete to get these benefits. By simply doing what you can to improve your body, you are already doing both your mind and body a favor.

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It's quite interesting to me that our bodies have been so drastically changed by such a simple thing like sitting. I agree that a full range of motion is important but the video helped me gain a bigger appreciation for it. Aiming to increase my flexibility and letting my body strengthen through it is now part of my plans to improve my physique.