Over the past month, I have geared my writing towards professional development and business learning points. Today, I’d like to touch on something more personal, physical and Mental Health by way of personal fitness and priorities. If physical or mental health is not high on your priority list, I consider you to evaluate and reaffirm your current priorities. This statement does not imply that your current set of priorities are off or wrong. I challenge you to reflect on them and evaluate if they are still valid priorities, “Habit rules the unreflecting herd.” – William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
Physical health has two key components: What you are putting in your body (eating) and what you are doing to exercise or workout on a consistent basis. Ask yourself, “When I wake up in the morning or retire for the evening, how do I physically feel?” I challenge you to keep a journal or calendar book to keep track of this for the next 30 days. You may be amazed at how much you are already doing to promote your physical health or realize you’re not doing enough.
My current regimen every day is at least 125 push-ups, at least 8,000 steps, 50 full sit-ups, five minutes of planks, and at least 45 squats with weight. Here’s the key to what works for me, I’ve made it my ONE Thing (read ONE Thing article) to exercise throughout the day. I do not wait to “have to go” to the gym to start. Every morning I wake up and do 25 push-ups, answer a few emails and make some phone calls, then 25 more push-ups. I work it into my day and do not let any daily circumstances knock me off my course. If you choose, take my methods and map it to your own life to fit your needs. The key word in this method is “sustainable.” You must create a workout or find a trainer that can create one for you, that is sustainable and achievable on the daily. Nothing is more defeating than trying to achieve a goal that is ultimately unobtainable. Start small, start simple and do it EVERY DAY. Do not wait until tomorrow, start now!
I have found that my energy levels are more consistent throughout the day because of my physical fitness. Being physically fit makes everything easier; Work is easier, getting into my truck is easier, cleaning the house is easier and working out gets easier as well. Another key component of my physical health is my eating habits. I have changed my lifestyle completely to align with the Ketogenic eating habits and intersperse Intermittent Fasting with it.
What I didn’t realize at the time was the direct correlation between physical health and mental health. Once I committed to my personal ONE Thing on the daily, my mental health followed suit. Not only do I physically feel like I’m 19 again, I feel more present for every interaction that I encounter, daily. I have clarity and a definite of purpose. Have you ever read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill? It is the first lesson in the book, Develop Definiteness of Purpose.
Mental health has many connotations and can be very subjective depending on who you engage in conversation. Here it is defined by MentalHealth.gov. I am referring to mental health in my article as emotional and social well-being; similarly to its definition by MentalHealth.gov. I work on my emotional and social well-being every day consistently and positively, which builds momentum and becomes easier with time. What I didn’t realize was: When I changed core habits and aligned my definite of purpose with my physical and mental health, there wasn’t much to “work on.” Have you ever said to yourself, “I should workout today” or “I need work on X today, something seems off?” If you constantly struggle or battle to work on X, you may find yourself disenfranchised very quickly.
Fiercely protect your allotment of time for the things you love to do. Make the time to exercise at least 30 minutes per day, or even work it in throughout your day if you loathe the gym. If you struggle or battle with X, write X down and then develop three things that you can do right now to remove the said blockage. Once you set out to do something that you feel is important or is your ONE Thing, do not let anything or anyone veer you off course, to your best ability. I urge you to consider this: Take these methods in stride and slowly work these principles into your life. Sometimes the things you want to do requires a lifestyle change and creation of new habits, which is easier said than done. Motivation accompanied by action equals life-changing results. As Nike says, “Just Do It!”
I am open to suggestions, comments, and you sharing your story. You may direct message me by replying to this email or going to https://www.facebook.com/adam.dellos or https://www.instagram.com/hikingrugger
Have a great day today!
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