Lets Eat......Right!

Eating! A vital part of everyday life. We keep our energy levels going with it, catch up with family and friends over a meal. It is a basic and vital function of life. However not knowing how to eat brings two problems with it. Either its too little or too much. Then come the two most common complaints - 'Im too tired!' or 'Im too fat'!

Alright lets cut to the chase. Here are the rules.

1) Always eat 5-6 meals a day. Don't use this excuse to gorge yourself. Eat sensibly and balanced.
2) The break between each meal should be 2-3 hours
3) Include proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats in each meal.
4) Eat for what you are going to do in the next 3 hours following the meal. If you are not going to be doing heavy physical activity cut the carbohydrates and increase the protein. If you are going to get into more physical activity eat more carbohydrates and less protein.
5) Get plenty of water throughout the day.
6) Eat more natural foods than processed foods.

Start to get these rules in order with good sleep and exercise and you will find an increase in your energy and body. Now go get something healthy to eat....!

Work with what you got

Yesterday evening I was getting cranky. I wanted to sleep when I got back from work but didn't get the chance and I wasn't really in the mood to workout. I was trying everything I could to psyche myself up for a workout but it wasn't happening. So I decided to sleep for 10 minutes and then get up and get my cardio workout done. Great plan except for one thing - I ended up sleeping for an hour! I wasn't too happy with that either but I got 10 minutes after that on the foam roller (ingenious piece of equipment for core exercises and getting knots out of your muscles) and adjusted my diet accordingly. After dinner I took a walk with my wife.
What I am trying to get at here is my body definitely needed the rest and I didn't realize it. The sleep, the calorie control, the 10 minutes with the foam roller and the walk more than made up for me staying fit for that day. It wasn't the hardcore exercise but I did have the components of a fitness lifestyle coming into play at least somewhere. Learning to listen to your body is vital in the role of health and fitness. Get with the fitness lifestyle and see how things start to work to reach your fitness goals.

Catch some Zzzzz's

Hey. Yes I know its been a long time since I have posted anything up on this blog. I took some time off to find out what direction to take with educating people on simple fitness solutions. After all this time I was satisfied that this was the right way to go with a post. It is quite ironic that today's post seems like I have woken up after a slumber of my own but I assure you I have not been hibernating! And I'm sure the question is arising very quickly, 'A fitness site and the first thing he posts is about sleep???' Well Im sure everyone enjoys good uninterrupted sleep. I do. But why sleep of all topics?

The most common answer heard on what are you planning to do on the weekend or on a holiday is 'Catch up on some sleep.' Rightfully so, in our busy world. How many people get a real good sleep everyday? Sleep is a vital part of your existence. Having said that, it is not a license to be lazy and sleep for 10 hours a day or more. Sleep is required for your body to turn off all its major functions and do the bare minimum to keep you alive while recovering from stress and strain. How many machines do you know that can keep working non-stop without wear and tear and not breaking down without stopping for it to be recharged or cooled? The body is a wonderful piece of machinery. Good sleep gives the body time to rest and recharge. Have you ever noticed how sometimes even a 10 minute nap makes you feel so refreshed, spiritually, mentally and physically? You feel like you slept for days in those 10 minutes. Sleep builds your immune system and  its time needed for your body to recover. You are more alert, sharper and think clearer after a good sleep. You also look better and fresh instead of exhausted. It clears up the sensory overload on your physical body.
For athletes and those who workout, did you know that the rest your body gets during sleep is necessary to build muscle. Ending today's post....here are some tips to keep in mind about sleep

• Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep- 6 hours being a minimum
• Try and get a 10 - 20 minute nap during the day
• When you sleep your head should be cool and feet warm
• Use a pillow - your head and neck should have a proper alignment with the rest of the body
• Do not drink teas, coffees or soft drinks before sleeping.Usually plain water or warm milk helps the body relax.
• Take a calcium supplement just before going to bed

Follow these tips and you will have an improved sleep. You will also realize you are fresher, happier, more energetic, less crankier, more alert and productive. Happy snoozing;).....