It’s summer again, the season we all suddenly remember the fitness goals we made back in January that, based on the state of our beach-bodies, we may not have stuck to like we meant to. Getting in shape and staying that way can be difficult for a lot of reasons. One of the big reasons resolutions don’t stick, is that it takes mental focus and commitment over the short and long-term to develop and keep the habit of fitness.
Sleep
This may seem like an obvious one, but it bears repeating. Getting enough sleep in one of the foundational elements of health. If you don’t get enough sleep you will suffer from a host negative physical side effects from increased risk of cardiovascular disease to slower healing of injuries. Not getting enough rest also results in impaired ability to make good decisions. There are numerous studies on this consequence of undersleeping, but the practical reality is that not sleeping enough severely damages the ability to think in terms of the big picture, which makes it even more likely that you’ll go for that nap, or plate of bacon instead of engaging in your fitness routine.
You Are What you Eat
Nutrition is another basic pillar of your body and brain’s overall wellbeing and ability to focus. What you eat off course affects your waistline, a fact most of us are all too aware of. But did you know it affects your brain as well? When you eat junk foods, particularly those that are high in refined sugar, it can limit your brain’s ability to function and even change how it works. Aside from avoiding certain foods, to optimize your brain’s focus, it is also important to make sure that it is getting what it does need, foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Luckily this aspect of health can be helped along with supplements if you have trouble integrating all the nutrients you need into your diet. Although that doesn’t change the fact that watching what you eat is a crucial component in achieving your fitness goals.
In It to Win it
No matter what your fitness goals are, in order to attain them, you’re going to need the help of your brain. It takes more than wanting to do it and saying you’ll do it and meaning it. You have to make sure you’re able to focus on your goal and make consistent decisions that will lead to the accomplishment of your fitness goals. So take that first step focused on your goals, go to bed early and remember to take your vitamins!