The rest of my work day passed rather quickly since I was quite busy. Before I knew it, I was done and ready to change and head back into the weight room for my own workout. (I didn’t work out during the functional class I taught since it includes six circuits and I hopped all over the room checking form and offering modifications.)
My workout began with a five minute jog on the treadmill to warm up my muscles. Then it was time to target my legs!
After that workout, my legs were toast! I concluded my time at the gym with 15 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical.
Lunch
My late lunch featured a watermelon and feta salad with avocado.
Love it!
I also ate half of a whole wheat bagel topped with almond butter and unsweetened coconut.
Focus On One Healthy Habit
Making healthy changes to your lifestyle can be very, very overwhelming. There is a plethora of information out there about what you should eat and what you shouldn’t eat. What exercises you should do and what exercises you shouldn’t do. For someone just learning about fitness or healthy eating, it can be a lot to take in. This is something I hear from many of my personal training clients.
I’ve started encouraging my clients to focus on one healthy habit at a time. Since we’re already working out together, I tell them to let me take care of the fitness side of things. I give them workout “homework” to complete on the days when we’re not training together. (This is typically some form of cardio or a group exercise class of some sort since my workouts with clients are often strength or circuit based.)
We then brainstorm other areas of their life that may need revamping and focus on this area for one to two weeks. Some examples:
- Cut out soda
- Drink more water
- Go to bed earlier
- Eat fruit or vegetables with every meal
- Eat more protein
- Focus on healthy, mindful snacking
- Limit TV time
I think the key message I’m trying to convey is that a healthy lifestyle is composed of a bunch of little healthy habits. Sleeping. Moving. Eating healthy most of the time. It doesn’t need to be all or nothing or overwhelming.
I’m trying my best to help my clients break it down. Just because I eat something crappy right when I leave the gym doesn’t mean my healthy journey is over. It’s just that – a journey. The path to healthy living is not the path to perfection. The journey to adopting a healthy lifestyle will include high and low points, but keep on moving toward that healthy goal.
This week, I am going to focus on one healthy habit: Healthy, mindful snacking.
With my varying hours, I feel like I’ve been snacking all the time, even when I’m not hungry. I’ve been reaching for convenient, grab ‘n’ go, not-so-healthy food in the break room and know I’d feel better if I go back to packing my favorite healthy snacks to have on hand just in case hunger strikes.
Question of the Afternoon
- What is one area of your life you’d like to focus on making a little healthier?
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