Dominate Your Choices

In this case, Fitness vs. Food...the life long struggle!

How many times have we mastered our exercise regimen but ate garbage afterwards? Better yet, what about eating cleaner than ever but just can't seem to make it to the gym?

Why can't these two things line up?

We have heard 80% of weight loss is better nutrition and 20% exercise. We have 168 hours in a week; 24 hours a day; approximately 16 of those hours are spent awake...yet there is no dedication to 1 hour at the gym?

Okay, this is not a shaming session but more so, a mirror moment to take time to be real with ourselves. We had gym in grade school for a reason and it was not just to give the teachers a break!

Exercise is a vital part to our existence. As we age, things start to slow down and sometimes, break down. Do not give in. Even if you can not give your exercise routine a full hour of rigorous cardio and weight training, move your body. Take multiple 15 minute walks and get your heart rate up, blood flowing.

If you have an office job or partake in the luxury of working from home, let me let you in on a little secret...sitting is the new smoking. Not to mention that a consistently bad diet is just as bad. You have to be mindful of your food choices and get moving!

I hear but I'm tired, I have arthritis, I'm too busy....

Tired? Exercise actually increases your energy while leaving the pounds behind!

Ailments? Me too but I go to the gym daily. Find exercises that work for you like water aerobics, yoga or simply walking.

Too busy? That's me again...I am the King of Busy! But if you are too busy to take care of your temple, you are doing more than God intended. Take something off your plate and put your health first.

Now about this eating thing, that's all planning. Meal prep is key. Even if you do not go as far as cooking a bunch of things at once and putting it all away in cute little containers, you need to have healthy foods readily available for consumption. The worse thing that can happen is that you get hungry while you're busy and have to stop for fast food!

Have some carrots, apple slices, bananas, nuts and raisins on hand for snaking. One of my favorite go to quick meals is a protein shake with organic banana, organic coconut water, protein and reduced fat peanut butter. Delicious!

I do indulge in some of my favorite guilty pleasures from time to time but I almost always pass on loading up on bad carbs. Eating healthier and exercising regularly will not happen overnight. Take small steps...if you must eat the potato, eat a sweet potato with honey vs. white potato with butter, sour cream AND cheese. Sweet potatoes are actually naturally sweet so you may not need the extra sweetness as much as you think you do. Mushrooms are a great meat substitute as are some plant based meat alternatives.

Give your body what it needs (nutrients) vs. what it wants (empty calories). You need nutritious foods, you don't need biscuits and gravy. Think about it another way...can you pray over your plate and ask God to use it as nourishment for your body? If not, add some color with more fruits and vegetables, less meat, starch and fat.

By the way, summer is here. It's never too late to work on your summer body!