Diet and Fitness

These are two of the most talked about topics these days, and everyone has their own recipe for improving both and by doing so improving your health.  That is the bottom line:  HEALTH.

Well, my two cents on these topics is that there are some honest truths about these topics that will do far more for you than any of the latest dietary supplements or fitness crazes going on out there.  These products are praying on the new American dream ... "I wish I was in better shape, felt better and looked better.  And wouldn't it be even better if in my new skin I could do things tomorrow that I can't do today.  Wow, wouldn't that be great?"

Here are those honest truths that I've been hearing about forever:

1. Everything in moderation - This pertains mostly to diet but also has some application in fitness.  Most people don't have to give up anything in their diets, they just have to consume less of it.  There may be a few exceptions if any one element of your diet is delivering 50% or more of your calories but that is the exception not the rule.  So with everything we put in our pie hole, just eat less of it.  On the fitness front, muscle disruption was at one time all the rage.  I do think that varied exercise is better than doing just one thing.  Find at least a couple of things you enjoy that will get you off your ass, and then mix them up and do one of those things a couple times a week and the other a couple times a week.  And BAM, you're working out regularly!

2. Changing your behavior is hard - On the fitness front they say "the toughest step you take in deciding to get fit is the first one".  And that's true every single time you know you need to work out.  On the diet front, it seems the pantry or cupboard is always filled with the stuff you want to eat even though you know you probably shouldn't.  Or at least not that much.  Here at the KC Baldwins we have a large pantry and shop at Costco.  Yikes ... Whenever I step in there all my eyes gravitate to is that oversize Doritos bag, that 3 pound jar of chocolate covered almonds, or the extra sized box of Ritz crackers.  I love to eat all of them, by the way.  Instead, I try to eat eggs, fruit and drink lots of water.  But I have to admit I do sneak an occasional handful of those chocolate covered almonds!  Hey, they're almonds right?  And, re-read #1 if your frowning right now.  The point here is if you miss a workout or two, don't feel guilty.  Just get back on track.  If last night you had some friends over and personally devoured half of that deep dish pizza, make sure you eat a sound and healthy breakfast in the morning and get back on track.  

3.  It's always better with a partner - Yes, I'm still talking about diet and fitness so don't get your panties in a wad.  It takes discipline to eat better and work out more.  And when you have someone to kick you in the pants when you don't want to, that helps tremendously.  Going solo means more frequent falls from the wagon.  When someone is going the road with you (diet or fitness) it makes the road a bit easier because they are there to keep you on the wagon when you desperately want to fall off because you're too damn tired to want to work out or your kids left that open bag of Doritos on the counter all by its lonesome and no one's home to see you cheat.  But if your wife is around she says "oh, no you aren't and puts the bag away.  Yeah, we've all been there.

So, like most of us I set New Year's goals for myself in both these areas at the first of the year.  And I'm pleased to say I've taken my own advice and it's paid off.  I'm lighter than I've been in almost two years and in better shape than I've been in a long time.  Doing so has meant living each of these basic principles as much as I can every day.

And you can too.