Good Morning All! Happy Independence Day Weekend Too!
Many of you, especially those who consistently train in the morning (before 8 AM), may find yourselves “ready” to workout with varying degrees of energy from session to session.
For some, Mondays are the hardest to get geared up for. Maybe it’s been a long weekend of fun in the sun or staying up all night with Gilbert Gottfried (If any of you get that reference, I’ll be amazed!). Others may have difficulty training towards the end of the week after the pressures of work continues to mount with each passing day. Or maybe it’s just hit or miss. Some days a lot of energy; others…not so much.
No matter what your energy pattern (or lack there of) is, there are ways to help ensure that no matter what day or time your training session is, you’ll be ready to “knock it out”. So below are nine lifestyle commitments you can implement in order to optimize your body’s (and mind’s) performance whether your working out in the gym or working for a living.
1. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time. It is more important to develop consistent sleep patterns than to get the all-illusive eight hours every night. There is no “catching up” on lost sleep. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
2. Avoid coffee, red wine and chocolate at night. These particular “foods” have shown to significantly disturb sleep more than any others.
3. Meditate, pray or calm down before bed. It doesn’t have to be a 30 minute session, but before your head hits the pillow for good, take a deep breath and try to at least release the stresses of the day.
4. Keep the windows open instead of having the AC on when turning in for the night. That way, the poisonous carbon dioxide that is release when you exhale leaves the room and new, refreshing oxygen can enter. This can only lead to a more healthful sleep.
5. Don’t fall asleep with the TV on. If you’ve ignored all the studies that say, “don’t have a television in your bedroom,” at least don’t fall asleep with it on. In a recent study in New Scientist Magazine, it was reported that your life is actually being shortened by noise during the night. It states that noise has an effect on your heart and waking up many times during the night puts your body under too much stress.
6. Have your bedroom arranged to Feng Shui principles. I know it sounds ridiculous, but for example, if you have your bed placed where you can see the door, but not be in the direct path of the opening, it will allow you to sleep with a sense of security.
7. Don’t hit the Snooze. As soon as your alarm goes off, get up! Again, your body will develop a pattern of consistency. If sometimes you sleep those extra seven minutes and others you don’t, you’ll be sabotaging yourself by not allowing your body to develop a routine.
8. In the morning, even before breakfast, drink a glass of cold water. On an empty stomach, this will help restart your metabolism, resulting in you feeling awake faster and more alert. Oh, by the way, it also starts the fat burning process!
9. Last but not least, eat a healthy, well-rounded breakfast. I know you’ve heard that a million times (from me alone). But it’s worth repeating. Because it’s worth doing!
So, now that you know what little it takes to get that extra surge of energy in order to more quickly attain your fitness goals…bare down and do it!
