Fit-to-Fat-to-Fit Blog: Why fitness?

Goal weight: 195 lbs.

I put my goal weight up there but haven’t really been focused on losing weight lately. What I’m focused on now is energy, performance and trying to cram as much into a 24-hour period as I can. Like you, I’m a busy guy and these times call for peak performance.  Peak performance is a state where maximum work can be accomplished with the energy on hand. It’s a mental state and a physical one, too. Your mental attitude quickly declines when you’re exhausted.  I know — I’ve been on that train many, many times.

Three things I’ve done have made a huge difference.

1. Given up most refined sugar.  No sodas. No desserts. No sweet cereals. But since I have a huge sweet tooth, I eat lots of fruit and some honey. Now, if I eat sugar, I feel sick. I don’t crash as often and my blood sugar stays more regulated. (I drink unsweetened black and green tea for my caffeine).

2. Eat smaller portions and small snacks every two hours.  Once again, it keeps my blood sugar regulated so I don’t crash.

3. Exercise five days a weeks for one hour a day.  Right now, I’m running, doing 50 pushups, 50 sit-ups, wall sits and planks (core training).

Like I said before, these times call for peak performance. Change is stressful and stress is hard on the body.  Exercise is not only good for your physical being, it’s also good for your mental attitude.  Being in shape gives you the energy to plow through stress and the endorphins to keep smiling when all seems grim.

The past six months have made a huge difference in my physical and mental well being.  When people ask me why I’ve gotten back in shape, I tell them honestly, it’s my secret of success.

And since I ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I took this morning off (I needed the sleep.)  I will run tonight with my son when I get home from work.