Hate the Gym? Blame It on Your Genes!

Have you ever heard about a runner's high? Or that great feeling people get after a workout? Maybe you have never felt these things. Researchers are now finding out that the reason you may or may not like the gym could be in your genes. They have found that some people have a gene that interferes with the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the feel good neurotransmitter that regulates the pleasure and reward centers in the brain. If a gene interferes with that, you may not feel rewarded or pleasurable after a workout. This along with your personality of course. It could be considered a case of nature vs. nurture. You can always develop a passion and love for working out, it may just be harder. Just like you can have a gene that makes you more lazy, you do not have to live with it. You can fight it and train your body to be different. You can actually change the way your body reacts to working out. A study showed that a person who hated physical activity began running everyday for a week, and began to actually sort of enjoy it. Their neural pathways improved. This isn't to say they loved it, but it was a small change that could lead to something bigger. 

https://news.usc.edu/154932/hate-exercise-it-could-be-genetic/

https://www.thehealthy.com/bodies/quirky-traits-you-didnt-know-you-inherited/

Carbohydrates Before Workouts Can Help Boost Imunity

Do you work out moderately or excessively? Studies have shown that working out moderately or excessively can effect your immune system and white blood cell count. During a workout, the amount of white blood cells increase while the amount of white blood cells drop rapidly after you're done working out. In the past, scientists thought that having strenuous workouts resulted in fewer white blood cells in-comparison to before you worked out. But new studies suggests that it depends on the type of workout. Moderate workouts, such as a jog, will protect one from upper respiratory illnesses. Harder workouts tend to increase the risk for upper respiratory illnesses. If you prefer harder workouts, scientists suggest eating carbohydrates. "Ingesting carbohydrates during vagarious exercise may help because carbohydrates maintain blood sugar levels. Having stable blood sugar levels reduces the body's stress response, which in turn, moderates any undesirable mobilization of immune cells." Washing your hands after working out will also help you stay healthy.