People do things for two reasons … to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
Don’t’ want to have Alzheimer’s … otherwise known as Type 3 Diabetes … when you’re 60? Then don’t eat sugar and empty carbs. Pain averted.
But wait. Eating sugary baked goods definitely maximizes pleasure in the moment.
Choices!
So, which will it be?
Well, it all comes down to this. What’s important to you?
For some, nothing is more important than what they get to eat, drink, smoke, or sit and watch today. Those are choices where health and fitness are clearly not priorities.
I have the exact opposite mindset. Health and wellbeing are very important to me. Most people are somewhere in the middle.
Where are you?
I ask, because I’m about to give you some things that really work to help you be healthy and at the top of your game … a peak performer, accomplishing a lot … with clarity of mind and a good feeling body. But they’ll be useless if you don’t have strong enough reasons for foregoing the deadly pleasures and sticking with a health building program.
Truth? Being the best you can be mentally and physically involves doing things that aren’t always fun … things that aren’t always the most pleasurable in the moment. But the payoff is immense! I know. I feel sharp. I feel great, and I always get a lot done.
People ask me all the time, “How can you run a successful, growing business, be a very involved wife, grandma and daughter, be active in church, and also find time to attend to your health and fitness?”
Well, here are some of my most useful tips, tricks, and hacks, especially with regard to balancing an exercise and weight management program while maintaining a thriving business.
I start with a clear vision. Am I focusing on building muscle? Leaning down? Increasing my cardiovascular health? Next comes a very specific, carefully scheduled exercise and nutrition plan.
And here are just some of the tips that have helped me and my clients execute on our health goals:
- Cook meals for the week on the weekend. Put each meal into portion containers and label them. I eat 6 small meals per day. This tip is critical to staying with my diet and not just grabbing anything in sight when I get hungry.
- Fill a gallon jug with water (I use a Hydro Flask) and keep it on your desk, so you drink water throughout the day.
- Bring a cooler to the office with the day’s meals to put in the office refrigerator or keep on ice.
- Stand more at work. The average American sits 13 hours per day. Consider getting a standing desk or an adjustable, sitting/standing “varidesk.” Your back will thank you, and your health will improve.
- Choose a cardio workout that allows you to read or practice an upcoming presentation.
- Time your workout to be most efficient for your schedule. I like to workout at lunchtime. Other folks like to workout first thing in the morning or even incorporate exercise into their commute. Biking to work anyone? I even have clients who bundle up their kidlets, pop them into a running stroller and go for a morning jog as a family.
- If you get stuck in the office, sit on a stability ball and keep light dumbbells or bands in your office, so you can do some light exercise there.
- Keep a jumprope, dumbbells or other fitness equipment at home and fit in some exercise while watching your favorite show.
- Keep your gym bag in your car, complete with any supplements you need.
- Try efficient workouts, such as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Tabata training, or bodyweight exercises.
- Enroll in a competition or fitness challenge. The collaboration of being part of a group, as well as getting involved in a program that has a beginning, middle and end might be just what you need to stay motivated.
- Track your activity levels. Use a Fitbit or even just a calendar to measure your activity and help you stay on track.
- Commit to your workout. Make it a priority and be sure to schedule it on your calendar. Newsflash: Things that aren’t on your schedule tend not to get done!
Seem like a lot of effort? Well, it is.
But hey, if health, wellbeing, and getting a lot done are important to you …
It works!