My Non-Negotiables
Quite a while back,( in 2015 I think!) I posted FIVE non-negotiable things I do every day. To this day I still stand by four of them. I have actually dropped one of them on most days, but I think for many people if it makes them feel good then it should be worth trying or keeping. I am going to give you these and hope they inspire you to find, create and make your own non-negotiables that help you each day and week. Mine are pretty non-negotiable to make my day start and stay on a good track for the day. These are easy, tweaks that have really helped me in this whole health journey. I've been through those times of trying the newest diet, cleanse or detox. I've tried new workouts. I've read tons and tons of diet books, self-help books, health and recipe books. I'm one of those nerds thatMy own habits are pretty non-negotiable to make my day start and stay on a good track for the day. These are easy, non-crazy tweaks that have really helped me in this whole health journey. I've been through those times of trying the newest diet, cleanse or detox. I've tried new workouts. I've read tons and tons of diet books, self-help books, health and recipe books. I'm one of those nerds that constantly reads and researches health and fitness related info. However, even with all the stuff flooding the internet, magazines, books, infomercials and television segments, I have found FIVE (now FOUR) easy tricks that really help me stay healthy. I've done these things long enough that they have become habits. . . they are second nature. And if I get off schedule and off track I can tell immediately.If you are looking for quick and easy habits to add to your day take a look here and see what you might try. These are in no particular order . . .MY TOP NON-NEGOTIABLE DAILY HABITS
- Breakfast is now Negotiable
Breakfast used to get a bad wrap, then it was the end all be all, and now it's not as super important as it used to be. I used to be a breakfast skipper. I had that old, unhealthy mindset that thought it was just added calories and if I could do without I should. Then I began eating something in the mornings, a smoothie, Greek yogurt, sometimes an egg, at the very beginning of the day. However, due to my schedule more mornings than not I would leave the house early to teach a class, meet with clients and not get back home until lunchtime, and not have a traditional breakfast. These days there is a lot of talk about intermittent fasting and I realized that I was making this a part of my lifestyle on most days, albeit unintentionally. These days I continue to stick with this. However, if I do wake up and feel as if I need to eat something then I do. I just don't force myself to have a breakfast meal first thing in the morning if I don't feel it. I listen to my body and if it doesn't need the food I wait until it does.There are studies showing that people who eat breakfast regularly lose more weight. There are also studies showing that those who embrace an intermittent fasting lifestyle, and shorten the feeding window, are successful at weight loss and enjoy other benefits. I say it is a personal choice and one each person makes for their own lifestyle. I've not talked about intermittent fasting here as don't want to sound too crazy, but it warrants a deeper discussion in another post.2. Keep It CleanI tend to follow the 80/20 percent rule of eating good and clean 80% of the time and leave 20% for the treat or real life stuff. This is for simply maintaining and being healthy. One of the best ways for me to feel good is to eliminate processed foods and eat real, whole foods. Once I cut out the junk and eat clean I feel so much better and see results. If I'm trying to cut back and lose some weight I move that number to 90/10. It's not a lot of fun, but it gets the job done.3. Sweat More Days Than Not Each WeekIt's no secret that I like to sweat. And lately, I sweat a ridiculous amount whether I like it or not! But that's a post for another day. To maintain my weight I try to get in a good sweaty workout 4-5 days a week. The other couple of days of the week are less stressful things like yoga, Pilates or a long, power walk. When it comes to working out and losing weight, doing the best for heart health, and building lean muscle mass, 30 minutes a few times a week just won't cut it. If I am short on time, then the workout will be more intense. 50 - 60 minutes is ideal for a good intense, sweaty workout more days of the week than not. Mixing these intense sessions with less intense ones on recovery days is best for me.4. Water is My Drink of ChoiceI drink water all day long. I keep a large water bottle with me at all times. It is recommended that we should drink half of our body weight in water each day. I think I do that and then some each day. I make a fresh bottle of water before I go to bed and have it ready when I wake up in the morning. I drink during and after a workout. I do not drink soft drinks and rarely drink iced tea. Other than my morning cup of coffee, it's water, water, water. When I am traveling or out of my normal schedule I can tell if I'm not getting enough water.5. My Quiet TimeThe best thing I do for myself and my health is to begin my day with my quiet, devotional time. I set my alarm a little earlier than necessary so that I can have a cup of coffee and my daily devotional time. This time alone begins my day in a positive, centered way. It keeps me grounded, provides me the spiritual, emotional and mental energy to begin the day. It is a special, sacred time for me and definitely non-negotiable for my day.None of these is anything new. There is no rocket science here. These Non-Negotiables are just easy steps that merely require a little thought and effort to turn them into habits.You may have your own. Or it may be time to begin . . .Here are some Simple Ones!Also, curious about the Better & Beyond Program beginning May 27. Check it out HERE!