52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 4: shut your eyes...

Week 4, and some of you may be feeling the drill.  There are mornings you are more tempted to slam the snooze button back in it's place, or even to say, 'nah...this fitness and weight loss thing is not for me,' or even, 'I was born to be over weight, I am not one of the lucky ones...'

There are many reasons to feel this way, I sure have my mornings where I am more tempted to sleep in, than to get my arsenals to the fitness club.  What can be the reason we feel this way?  Could it be, that you did not have a good plan?  Could it be that you were convinced, you KNEW what to do, and decided that what a personal trainer CAN and WOULD do for you was just too small of a value, that you decided to set out on the journey on our own, and now you are stuck?  Or could it be that you are over extended yourself, thought it was a 'do or die,' and went out full throttle...just to burn out completely?  Well if this latter is that case, you are not alone, but there is hope.

Contrary to popular beliefs, the time and work spent exercising is just as important, as time dedicated to rest and recovery.   Without proper recovery, the body will not grow or progress, it will eventually break down and create the opposite outcomes, from what was desired.  Let's go back in time. As newborns, most of the days are spent sleeping.  As you age, you usually spend about a third of your life sleeping, and that time decreases as time progresses beyond 50, 70, and so on.

Sleep is essential - for survival.   If sleep is neglected, many issues arise.  Such as, fatigue, depression, burn-out, short-temperedness, headaches, even heart problems.  Not to mention, trying to cut corners on sleep, the basic bodily functions easily get confused and begin to slow down.  All mammals require sleep, or hibernation, in order to recharge and refresh.

So what can you do, set a routine, plan ahead, and stick to it.  Create proper, digressional sleep-ritual activities you engage in, before bed time.

• Go to sleep at the same time every night
• Turn off all phones, computer etc.
• Read, pray,  meditate etc. that helps your mind become at ease
• Strive for good sleep hygiene
• If all else fails take a nap in abt. 8 hrs from waking in the morning
• Avoid exercising, taking decongestants, alcohol or heavy meals late in the day

It may take a few weeks to create a routine and there will always be days the order, just simply will not be there.  Do not get discouraged, but pick yourself back up the next chance you get. 

Train, sleep, live, repeat...

To your health...

Monika