I manage a country homestead and the lives of my 4 babies ages 10,8,5 and 3. I LOVE TO RUN and NEED to keep healthy and fit for my SANITY!! Seriously....All problems are solved when I am running.

Making MY health a priority allows me to be the mother and wife that I need to be for them.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Fitness is More than Running

I've mentioned this MANY times before, but physical exercise is only a PART of fitness. Other parts include stress reduction, hydration, sleep, diet, and flexibility.  We are complicated beings, and if we neglect one part, we will see the effects in another.

In order to have optimal energy and recovery for my training, I NEED to take care of the other parts in my life.  This year I am focusing on hydration, sleep, and fueling my body with as much nutrition as possible.

Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate you. There is no if and's, or but's about it.  You will never be at your optimum health if you don't quit these addictions. At least that is what I have been feeling for a while. Instead I've been working on replacing them with healthy shakes, packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and water.  When I'm drinking these I have MORE energy, and my moods are SO MUCH BETTER, that I tend to not want to grab a coffee anymore.    My skin is also clearer, and I'm noticing a little belly fat beginning to disappear. 

I believe that watching my nutrition a little closer, and getting AMPLE sleep at night is really helping my cortisol levels.  I just feel more balanced and that is a nice place to be. 

I sometimes need a little motivation, and some extra help.  I think I've mentioned her before, but Shan Larter has an INCREDIBLE website that can help you find the motivation, and knowledge you need to reach your full potential health wise.  She has a VERY cool and FREE resource to help you kick the coffee habit. I know printing off the ill effects of its use, and pasting it above my coffee maker really helped me.  Have I mentioned it is FREE??   Don't be alarmed by the words 'eating disorder'.  99% of us have 'disordered eating' habits in North America any way. Seriously. Check her out.....and no I am not being paid to tell you this. Nor did she ask me to. I refuse to recommend anything I have not checked out myself or love.

So that's it.
I'm off to make myself something nutritious to eat.

Happy Running,
Alyson

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for the reminders Alyson. I needed these today.

AnnG said...

Love how you don't preach nutrition just tell us the facts! Thanks for the reminder!