Personal Best is a lifestyle.
Posted: January 17, 2024
It’s a standard of living that you determine you want for yourself. It includes the energy you want to have, how you feel, look and communicate with the world around you. Though everyone’s standard will be different, there exists some non-fad commonalities that help you maintain yourself year round. Be mindful of what standard you are truly committed to and remember whatever you tolerate, is your standard. With this in mind included are some valuable tips that if you don’t make a habit will over time radically shape your Personal Best health and wellness.
Where are you now?
Understanding where you are now is important in measuring forward progress. Some common measurements are waist size, weight, body composition cardio or strength maximums. Pick a couple of the measurements that make the most sense to you and check in with yourself every week. By simply keeping your eye on those numbers that matter to you, you are more likely to make positive progress. What are your two numbers going to be? You want to know your start point and where you are headed.
Front load your calories
It’s not just what you eat, it’s also when you eat it. For example, two people eating the same diet, but one is front loading their calorie consumption to the earlier part of the day will have a better result than those who eat late at night. As I am sure you have heard, “ breakfast is the most important meal of the day” it is best to make an effort to limit, if not eliminate, food consumption after 7:00PM. What a difference it will make in your body and the quality of your sleep at night. Take a look into your schedule, what works best as the time that you don’t eat past?
Water is energy giving
Many people unknowingly suffer from a lack of energy as a result of being continually dehydrated. Water is critical for clear thinking, energy and normal body function. Especially in the summer, with increase in temperature, it is important to keep your body at its best. A good rule of thumb that has stood the test of time is approximately half your body weight in ounces of water. Give it a try and experience the positive benefits. How much water are you going to commit to drinking every day?
Do it yourself – Brown bag and Tupperware meals
While going out to eat is convenient, with few acceptations, food establishments are more concerned with you loving the taste of their food than what the food does for you long term. High fats, high sodium and high calories are many times the go to strategy that will add up to a slow steady decline in how you look and feel. Instead of relying on meals from the outside, take the time to cook and pack your own food. This way you are in complete control of what goes into your body. If you do eat out, decide in advance what your go to healthy alternatives will be and what you will absolutely not eat. So what will be your go to and what will you avoid?
Make Healthy Substitutes
Small changes over time win the day and are easy to sustain. Some simple examples of this include substituting your snacking tortilla or potato chips for fresh cut veggies with salsa or dip. On the physical side of things can you substitute the social benefits of happy hour drinking and switch it to a happy workout hour… I know a place you can get a great workout. So what is one substitution you will make each week that you are willing to commit to? Is it going to be a food or exercise substitution?
Finally be sure to get your zzz’s
If you find you are overwhelmed with unhealthy cravings of junk food it may have to do with a lack of sleep. According to a new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, the more tired you feel, the stronger those cravings are because your body is literally trying to get more energy. On average, most people require seven hours of sleep each night. How many hours of sleep do you need to get each night to feel your best. Again, everyone is slightly different. Being your best day in and day out can be a challenge never mind having to do it on less sleep than your body and mind need.
Personal Best is committed to promoting healthy lifestyle alternatives for our students and families. Take what works and use it to enhance the quality of your life. The more people you have on the journey with you the more success for all.