Beautiful Readers,
There are a lot of things I don't know much about. And even more things I'm not that good at. But one thing I do know a lot about, and am good at, is taking pretty darn good care of myself while still leading a normal, fast paced life, with limited time, and not a lot of head space for considering my overall state of wellness. I could be a model of sorts for how I recommend you start (or continue) to take care of yourself.
After all, my blood pressure is below average, my skin is good, I sleep well, I eat right overall without any obsession, I work out often enough (though I did just take a month off--which I don't typically recommend unless you really need it to keep going in the long term), I take time to relax, my fat percentage delights me (slightly lower end of average), I am mostly properly hydrated and know what to do when I'm not. You should emulate me or better me. And no, I'm not a total egomaniac. I just have this thing a bit figured out and want to share it with you.
Here are some quick bits of advice to get you on the path to being more like me:
Count:Learn how many calories are in foods you eat. How are you supposed to keep track of your daily calorie intake unless you know how many (or at least approximately) are in the stuff you are eating? This may be my biggest secret. I can give you a pretty accurate count of anything you are eating--even in restaurants. Yes, it requires a certain amount of memorization (ok-a lot of memorization ((just buy a huge book that lists calories counts))--but it's well worth it. It gives you absolute control of weight gain and loss.
Cheat:Find ways to consume quick vegetables, fruits, and other kinds of antioxidants and vitamins, so that you can eat them regularly. Use green tea shots (little cans in delis), cans of V8, frozen spinach pie, Amy's Frozen Indian Food, drink a glass of red wine everyday, take calcium supplements, vitamin C, fish oil or other Omega 3 and 6 supplements (take the fish oil unless you are a vegetarian-may have advantages over flax), take a multiple vitamin, and I personally, like to take natural estrogen supplements (mostly Soy), I'm 40 and hoping to smooth out my impending menopause, but that's just me, and my research is limited. Drink coconut water when you've been sweating a lot or can't drink enough water.
Check: Check the color of your pee all the time. Really. I know of no more accurate way to assess whether or not you need to get more fluids. Pee should be nearly clear. Bright yellow is really no good. Funny smell after asparagus is totally normal. ;-) If you're quite dehydrated and drink a lot of water just before you urinate-your pee may be clear right after wards but will return to bright yellow later. A LOT of our clients seem to be almost chronically dehydrated. Do not let this happen. Your body can not thrive in a parched environment.
Charge it: I once heard a quote that was something like "If you want to know a man's priorities--show me his budget.". True dat about wellness. If you are spending more money on purses and shoes, or on eating out, than you are on making taking care of yourself easier, something is wrong. Spend the damn money. Buy the overpriced gourmet prune spread imported from France if that's the only way you are going to eat any fruit. Buy the good looking tomatoes from Holland that cost twice as much, buy the grass fed beef, or the green tea that comes in fancy packages if that stuff floats your boat. Buy good lox if that's the only fish in your diet. Taking really good care of yourself in the long term is hard enough without feeling guilty about making it feel like an indulgence.
Buy cute workout clothes. Buy comfortable apres-workout clothes that you only wear after you work out. BUY new sneakers every four months or so so that they will continue to work as sneakers--otherwise you may as well wear patent leather flats when you workout. Do not be cheap with these things. Buy fancy sports bras. Buy them in the right size. Buy weights for your home. Buy exercise equipment for your home if you can find the space. Buy a nice mat. Buy a fitness ball. Invest in your health as you invest in things that are less important.
P.S. We're just about done editing the copy on the new site! Look for it in October!
Fondly,
Alix Florio President; Beautiful Fitness
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