Hello.
1/1/20... we know how it goes, new "chapter," and all that. This one maybe a bit unique with the decade flipping, able to look back on the previous 10 years.
Not something I actively do though (but we know subconscious has a way of its own).
Forward.
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!!!
I hate those memes and pics mocking new years resolutions. Such an uppity, hipster, shit thing to do. "Here come the new year, new me..." with an eye roll figure. I'm not about that. Anything you can do to help light a spark and get it going, go for it. If 1/1/20 is the trick, excellent. If 2/1/20 is the date, cool too. (Just don't keep pushing it back, right that goal list and get after it... the clock is ticking)
That all being said, lets talk about a healthy mindset to assist your track.
There is a universe of information floating around you, day and night, on your phone, on the radio, even popping up on your screen because you iPhone once heard you say "KETO," and now you have 15 amazon ads everyday. INFORMATION EVERYWHERE.
What is right?
But the better question, what is right for you?
This is where many books, podcasts and social media "influencers," (aka know it alls), drop the ball.
Friends will recommend a documentary, someone you follow on social media will recommend a book and a 3rd person will tell their success story. All good. All could even be true. But true for them.
Could it work for you? For sure.
But it may also not.
But how? Why? All these books, all these fads, all these "professionals," selling their info, all claiming to have thee answer, how can there be so much confusion?
It's very simple and thats the problem. Too often, we dont want simple. Simple doesn't sell many books. Simple is one sentence.
Eat Real Food.
As I write "how simple!" I also know Eat Real Food is just the beginning. I ask next, What are your fitness goals? Are you trying to gain or lose? Tone up or bulk up? Any injuries? Any family health history like diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer? Whats your genetic history or nationality?
That all matters to a point. If you're 80lbs overweight, both parents had/have diabetes, eastern European descent, I would still say Eat Real Food but I would also steer you differently than I would someone with a more clean health history, looking to lose 25lbs and parents are from South America.
Why?
Macros matter.
BUT do not overthink it.... not at all. You will know how to align your own nutrition if you listen to your body, not your mind. Should you or a professional count cals for a few days to give an educated assessment? Absolutely. You want to feel confident about your track. You'll be putting a lot of time, energy and heart into this, you need to feel strong mentally. But also, don;t be worried or flustered if you have to adjust.
Listen to your body...
a quick example, the sugar crave. Super common early on with those changing up their nutrition. You may find moments where you really, really, REALLY want to chomp on some bread or chocolate, maybe even a soda. This is your body looking for sugar. NOT ALL SUGARS ARE THE SAME. Not sure why this line is getting blurry, but science is still science and sugar in a soda is very different than sugar in an apple. Also, sugar from an apple even digests differently than organic apple juice. Free t-shirt to anyone who knows why...
3
2
1
No shirt for you!
Answer: Fiber.
The apple has it, the apple juice does not. Therefore the apple juice is nearly as shitty as the soda, from a sugar only perspective. The presence of fiber in the real apple with that sugar forces your body to digest slower, using it as a long lasting fuel (no insulin dump), whereas the juice does just the opposite (a little more science, but thats the gist). No fiber, so its a quick sugar buzz, we go up real, we crash real fast. Like a gatorade or snickers, it fixed the "I need a carb," but it hurt you.
Eat Real Food and avoid sugar.
Should you eat carbs? Sure, depends which ones, when and why? But again... SIMPLE.
Can you pick it from the ground? Off a tree? Eat it.
Is it in a cardboard box? Then no. Be literal.
Can you have the chick fila sandwich on a whole grain bun? Only if you've seen a tree that grows those magical buns. A Whole Grain Bun Tree? Maybe someday.
Would this be better as a facebook live? You could ask questions, I can stutter and get nervous, it'll be a hoot.
Generically, you can eat potatoes but again, this is all dependent on your goals. If you're trying to drop weight, reduce inches, etc., cut back on the portion of carbs. Simple, right?
Swap out rice for quinoa. Rice is still ok, but quinoa is fantastic and far more powerful.
No noodles. Same as the whole grain bun... no noodle tree, no noodles.
Everyone is different, different genetics, different health history, different damages, different everything. So there is no perfect diet that everyone can fit into. Use logic.
Same for your training and I wont ramble much longer.
Do what feels good to help you build some momentum and the habit of the gym or yoga or power walks, whatever it might be. Don't think you're going to lose 10lbs on day 1. This will take time.
Once you're comfortable and ready to push hard, I do recommend doing a few different things, and I'm again, I'm writing this for the "newer," gym goer or someone just looking to dive back in.
Lift weights.
Take a yoga class.
Do something to breathe hard.
If your weights are too easy... pick up a bigger one.
If you think yoga is silly or "easy," free class on me. Yoga is a real game changer for everything in life.
Hard breathing to train your actual cardiovascular system. I tell people that and they look at me like I just redefined the word. Yes, "cardio," is not just a form of torture on a stair stepper. The primary reason for those torture devices is to actually train your heart, lungs, blood vessels and everything else to handle more movement at an elevated heart rate. Ever been so out of shape that 2 flights of stairs made it where you can't speak a full sentence without gathering breath? Ya... imitate that feeling in the gym, then recover. Then do it again. Then do it again. And another 7 times. 1 minute of "oh shit intensity," x 1 minute of "thank god. recovery."
Everything up there make sense?
You can contact me for training or nutritional guidance if you like but here's the deal...
You have to commit.
Not to me. To yourself. I wont have conversations with any wishy-washy, on the fence, gee I don't know's. And trust me, just as our physical is all different, I also know our minds, our wills, our damage and pain, our stress, our history... its all different. Trust me, I'm aware. I'm a very good teacher, I'm very patient, understanding, empathetic, etc. I've been around, you know?
I understand if you feel the need to talk to other trainers, nutritionists, coaches, I get it. All good and you should. But I do know for absolute 100% certainty, our meeting will be where your search ends. You will achieve the goals.
I'm not even saying you have to train with me, pay me, any of that. I'm saying you have to use the information I give you, remember it, and run with it. You can then contact as you like for adjustments, more info, the deeper dive as you like. Then know, the physical is just the beginning. There will be breakthroughs.
STOP
That was for myself.... I had a good one going then I started to slip into outer-space with a bunch of woo woo shit and break my streak!
EAT REAL FOOD
LIFT
YOGA
BREATHE HARD
Love ya
