Why do New Year’s resolutions fail? Because the vast majority of people try to change too much too quick. We are human. 99% of us are not out to set a world record or win a fitness contest. We just want to feel better. The goal in fitness and nutrition, IMO, is not to look great without a shirt on or in a bikini. The goal of maintaining proper nutrition and fitness is to optimize your performance in everything you do.
Physical exercise and nutrition have physiological effects on your body. It’s science. Too much sugar and carbs in your diet causes an excess production of insulin in your body which totally wreaks havoc on your blood sugar. The result…a (sugar) dumpy feeling. Too much stress and not enough exercise can elevate the levels of cortisol (stress hormone) in your body. The result? Not good.
Just as most of us aren’t trying to climb Mt. Everest or run an ultramarathon, I’m not trying to become the leading authority on hormones and insulin. BUT just as you and I like to feel good and operate at 100% efficiency, I see the value in educating myself on what makes me feel good and perform at an optimal level vs. what does not. All it takes is a little bit of time (and energy) to gain a sufficient understanding and increase your energy exponentially.
I know because I’m doing it.
What can you easily do?
1. Drink water, lots of it. It helps keep your muscles hydrated, skin clearer and curbs calories (If you weren’t drinking water, you’d be drinking something else).
2. Find someone to keep you accountable with exercise. A workout partner, a friend, someone you text every day to keep them informed. My accountability partner for getting up early is my dog. She is anxiously awaiting me at 5:45 to take her for a walk. I don’t want to let her down. For real.
Have a great Hump Day!
Spaniard
Very helpful tips. Thanks. Also heard a life/fitness coach recently suggest focusing on the activity goal (e.g., walk four mornings per week) rather than the outcome goal (e.g., lose 15 pounds). The activity goal we can control.
Good stuff Eric. I also like to focus on the actual task, the mechanics of what we are doing. It’s help clear out the negativity we may feel when our motivation is low.
P.S. While not the ultimate goal, I would not mind looking good without a shirt. LOL
Exactly. I write a lot, and when I am blocked or self-critical of how it’s going, I find if I just write — anything — it helps me break through.