5 Things
Simplifying things has always been the biggest key to success with your health and fitness, and I believe it’s more important than ever.
Don’t overcomplicate things. And do yourself a favor: Don’t try to be perfect.
With a new month and season right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time for a reminder. Here are 5 simple things to work on that will help you continue to make progress, feel better, look better and live a healthier life:
Drink More Water: For the average adult, 8 cups (64 oz) per day is a minimum; half your bodyweight in ounces is ideal. If you struggle to get the minimum, start there. And be sure to track your success each day.
Get More Sleep: To look and feel your best, 7 hours is the minimum. If you struggle to get that much, start there and focus on spending at least 7 hours in bed each night. You’ll also want to make sure your sleep environment is cool, neat, organized and dark enough. And the worst culprits for ruining your sleep quality are electronic devices. Turn them off and put them away at least 30 minutes before bedtime … preferably, longer.
Move A Little More: It was never true that working out 7 days a week was a requirement for being healthy, and it's not true now. Aim for three 45-60 minute workouts a week -- 2 strength-based workouts and one cardio-based. Or, try for 20 minutes of movement a day, including getting outside and going for walks. Have a method to track your success so you stay accountable (planner, notebook, note-taking app, etc.)
Eat A Little Better: Going from pizza and chips to a 100% clean diet overnight often results in frustration and reverting to old habits after a couple of weeks. Ask yourself, "How can I make this meal 1% better?" Swap out a starch for more veggies, for example. If you like, take pictures of your meals for three days and send them to me; I'm happy to take a look and give you feedback.
Be Kind To Yourself: Celebrate your successes and don't beat yourself up over the failures. Each day, do something kind for yourself and others.
Remember, success is a compilation of small decisions executed consistently. There's no need to make it more complicated than that.
Coach Aaron