How to Strike a Healthy Balance Q: Recently you talked about making healthy choices 80 percent of the time and letting go the remaining 20 percent. That really resonated with me. I am one of those health-nut perfectionist types who get stressed out trying to be healthy! As a result, all of life ends up feeling like work and effort. Any advice? And what diet and specific exercise regimen would you recommend? — A:you know the saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” right? The same goes for health. You can’t be perfect ALL the time. There is simply no fun in that. A life of broccoli and treadmills that’s completely chocolate-free would send me sailing off the roof of a building in no time. Seriously! Being healthy is crucial to the overall quality of every aspect of your life, but there is room for some fun and indulgence in every healthy lifestyle. Surely you’ve heard health experts and weight-loss gurus talk about “moderation” when it comes to treat foods. The 80/20 rule is just my way of showing people what “moderation” actually looks like. You can practice it two ways when it comes to food: Either make 20 percent of your daily calorie allowance treat foods (a brownie, glass of wine, etc.) or make one out of every five meals a treat meal. When it comes to the gym, for every four days I get a rock-solid 30- to 45-minute workout in, I take a day off. Remember that life requires balance: There is room for nearly all things when you balance them out proportionately. The only caveat I ever make pertains to chemicals in my food. I avoid them whenever possible: So when I do have a treat, I choose ice creams that are organic and free from growth hormones. I choose brands of candy, that are made without artificial colors or artificial sweeteners. I choose chips, that have no artificial flavor or trans fats and so on. Other than that, I make room for everything in my life in a balanced way that allows me to still enjoy food but remain healthy. As for recommending a workout regimen — I really can’t. I can give you some key guidelines, so you maximize your time and your results, but only you can determine what types of fitness activities are fun for you to engage in. My top recommendations for effective fitness are as follows: When you go, go hard. Get your heart rate up and keep it up during the entire workout. Look for workouts that train your body in functional ways by working multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Be diverse with your workouts and don’t get stuck in a rut; this way your weight will never plateau and you’ll always be improving your athletic performance. Here are a few suggestions: Try a dance class, or some Brazilian Ju Jitsu. If the weather and environment permit it, take a free running or Parkour class, go hiking, or start kayaking or rowing. Ultimately, it’s important that your workouts are fun for you. That will really help you stick to them and make working out less tedious. And don’t forget to take your rest days. A day off from the gym can sometimes be the absolute best thing for your health. Remember that recovery and relaxation are equally important in your wellness. Overall, make more time to de-stress. Find ways to nurture yourself and treat yourself with rewards that aren’t food related. For example, make time for a weekly manicure-pedicure. Get a monthly Thai or deep-tissue massage to relax those sore muscles. Take bubble baths and listen to your favorite album. Basically, smell the roses more often! Life shouldn’t feel like work. While life does at times require work, your work should also fulfill you. So I leave you with this: While it’s great to focus on getting that healthy body, don’t forget to focus on fun things, too!
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 08:10:47 +0000
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