There’s no denying that exercise is excellent for your physical and mental health. But are you exercising in the ways that best suit your body – your unique genetic makeup?
If you’re a follower of The Blood Type Diet®, you already know that personalised nutrition based on your unique ABO blood type (Type O, Type A, Type B or Type AB) has tremendous benefits ranging from a robust immune system to maintaining a healthy weight to overall health and well-being. But did you know that your genes dictate more than what you should eat? They also offer insight into personalising your exercise.
The Stress/Exercise Connection
With The Blood Type Diet®, exercise is really all about personalised stress reduction. When we talk about the damaging long-term impact of stress on the immune system, it’s not the stress itself, but how the body reacts in the moment and afterwards. Exercise is a great way to re-set.
Since each blood type has its own instinctive stress response, it’s not surprising that each type also has a preferred exercise profile, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. A personalised exercise program based on your unique genetic makeup can help you recover from stress and even resist its harmful effects.
Exercise for Blood Type O - Intense Excercise
More than any other blood type, Type Os need intense exercise to maintain physical health and emotional balance. A consistent, rigorous exercise program releases the buildup of stress hormones in their systems.
The most successful form of exercise for Blood Type Os is cardio based, such as running, cycling and martial arts.
If you can’t do high intensity workouts, that’s OK. Start by walking and quicken your pace as you get stronger. Anything that elevates heart rate for a Type O can help to lower stress, balance emotions and shed pounds.
Exercise for Blood Type A - Calming Exercise
You could say that when it comes to exercise, Blood Type As are the opposite of Type Os. Heightened levels of cortisol make it harder for Type As to recover from stress. Exercises that have a quieting, calming effect are most beneficial. Try hatha yoga, tai chi and meditation.
That doesn’t mean that Type As can’t break a sweat. If you like aerobic exercise, just be sure to maintain overall mental calmness to achieve the most benefit. Highly competitive activities that strain the body and the mind could actually cause more stress. Relaxing, soothing routines best help Type As manage stress.
Exercise for Blood Type B - Balanced Exercise
When it comes to exercise for Blood Type Bs, you can think of B for balance. Type Bs need to balance meditative activities with more active forms of physical exercise. They are literally wired for it.
A sample routine might be three days of cardio exercise and two days of relaxing activities. Type Bs can choose from a wide range of exercises but seem to do best with moderate activities that aren’t too aerobically intense, have an element of mental challenge and involve other people. Some excellent forms of exercise for Blood Type Bs are tennis, hiking and golf.
Exercise for Blood Type AB - Mixed Exercise
When dealing with stress, Blood Type ABs tend to share characteristics with both Type As and Type Os. They do best with a mix of both calming activities and intense physical exercise.
Hatha yoga is an excellent choice for Type ABs, as are swimming and bicycling. An ideal routine would include high-octane cardiovascular activities, weight training and calming exercises that also improve flexibility.
Enhancing Workouts with Protein
Protein plays an important role in repairing and rebuilding muscles. Many people turn to protein shakes or on-the-go protein bars to help this process, especially after a period of intense exercise.
At Body and Mind Studio International®, we recommend our best-selling protein powder GenomaBlend™ Organic Protein Powder + Apple Fibre which blends seamlessly into any beverage. This 100% vegan product contains no GMO, gluten, dairy, soy, salt, artificial preservatives, colourings or flavours, making it ideal for diverse dietary needs.
For more information about the connection between blood type, stress and exercise, make an appointment with Paul Hopfensperger MIfHI >> here <<.
About the Author - Paul Hopfensperger MIfHI
Paul Hopfensperger is a Naturopathic Health Coach at Body and Mind Studio International® and is a United Kingdom based Fellow cum laude and Master Instructor for Dr. Peter J D'Adamo's Institute for Human Individuality. He specialises in Blood Type Nutrition™ consultancy and services. He was the first and only person from the UK to attend the inaugural OPUS23 Genomic Bioinformatics training seminar conducted by Dr D'Adamo at the Center of Excellence in Generative Medicine, University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, USA in April 2016. Paul also holds a CIBTAC diploma in Diet and Nutrition, and a post graduate diploma in Chinese Nutritional Therapy from The College of Naturopathic Medicine in London. Paul is also a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member and International #1 Best-selling Author.
Disclaimer:
Information and other content provided in Body and Mind Studio International® blogs should not be construed as medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. If you have any medical concerns, you should consult with your health care provider.
