A recent article I read discussed how athletes need to see the light.
Not just the bright lights that illuminate the field of competition, or even the “light” at the end of a successful season.
The light is the daily habits that make these athletes successful. And you don’t have to be an athlete to see with the same vision.
You see (no pun intended), the acronym s.e.e. stands for sleep, eat, and exercise. Taking care of these critical elements on a daily basis can make the difference between winning and losing.
It could also make the difference in losing those 20 extra pounds, or getting off of medications, or simply keeping up with your kids and/or grand kids.
Sleep is so much more than just “resting” your body for another day. Not only does your body recharge and recover at sleep, but adequate sleep helps regulate hormone levels naturally.
Think you can get by on 5 or 6 hours a night? Think again.
Getting 8 (or more) hours of sleep nightly will do wonders for your energy levels. Your best bet is to go to sleep and wake up at approximately the same time daily. Our bodies thrive on those natural rhythms.
And go to bed earlier. Eight hours from 10 to 6 will work better than eight hours from 1 to 9. If you have trouble sleeping, give melatonin a shot.
Eating. We all know we should eat better, so why don’t we? It’s not easy to pin point, but generally we want the instant gratification of tasty food…at the expense of our waist lines.
Here are my nutrition guidelines in a nutshell.
Drink water, and lots of it.
Eat real foods as much as possible. Meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Some low fat dairy and whole grains are acceptable, but don’t rely on them.
Most people could benefit from eating more protein, more fiber, and more healthy fats (unsaturated).
Exercise needs to be a habit. If you don’t move on a regular basis, I’ll have zero pity on you when you’re overweight, have stiff joints, and pop pills everyday for high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.
Start by walking. Then run or ride a bike. Then lift weights. Then mix all those together on a regular basis. You have the time, you just need to realize your health is more important than Glee or Dancing with the Stars.
We know what to do, so let’s start doing it.
Do you see 20/20?