Everyone wants to be thinner, faster, stronger, and healthier. But many people make the mistake of expecting fast results and thinking they can cut corners. As with most things, becoming a better you physically takes time and commitment.
Here are three tips that take this into account.
Use Common Sense When You Visit the Doctor
If you are playing a game of pickup basketball with your friends, you fall, and you hear a vicious crack, it is more often than not a broken bone. No matter what you do at home, it would help you go to a nearby hospital, get an x-ray, and have it checked. If one of your teeth has been annoying you for the past few days and the pain is more than you can bear, you should visit the dentist. You might require treatment for a root canal.
Yet, there are other instances in which you can stay home and deal with whatever is bugging you by yourself. Many of the physical ailments we experience are consequences of our daily actions. Thus, if we want to get better, all we need is a bit of rest or some minor changes to our lifestyle.
For example, if you always have dinner late at night and find yourself unable to sleep or have a stomachache the next morning, you are probably not sick. What you are is unaware of the proper eating habits when it comes to digestion. A few changes here and there will more than suffice.
So use your common sense and get informed. There is a reason why people say prevention is the best kind of medicine.
Don’t Go to Extremes with Your Nutrition
For his role in the psychological thriller The Machinist, Christian Bale lost close to 70 pounds of weight under four months. He did it by going on a daily diet of an apple, a few cups of coffee, and cigarettes. Needless to say, this wasn’t even remotely healthy. He forced his body to go into a sudden shock, which could have had disastrous consequences. Years later, he said in an interview that it had been one of the worst decisions of his life. The money and the acclaim had not been worth it.
Few people are in love with their physical appearance. Many times this has to do with our weight. We want to be proud of what we see in the mirror or look sexy in a bikini on our next trip to the beach. As a result, we embark on crazy diets that, albeit effective, are not sustainable.
What we must remember is that the average American human being lives more than 78 years. As such, being healthy is a long-term commitment that involves an all-encompassing, maintainable nutritional program.
If you want to fast for a few days, then go ahead. You might rid your body of toxins and give your digestive system a rest. But don’t give up carbs completely or skip a lot of meals. This will only lead to a massive rebound that will leave you even worse than when you started.
Know Your Limits When You Work Out
Many owners and coaches of professional sports teams say the best ability is availability. You can jump as high as Michael Jordan, swim as fast as Michael Phelps, or run like Usain Bolt. But if you are always injured, you cannot contribute to your team. It would actually be much better if you were a role player with little talent but with the motivation and physical stamina to endure a year-long athletic season.
Regarding exercise and physical fitness, we fail to recognise the importance of taking it slow, building strength gradually, and incremental improvements. It is especially true for beginners who see their colleagues at the gym lifting giant weights or running full speed on a treadmill.
Unless you are a guy competing in an upcoming Mr. Universe contest or a lady getting ready for a beauty pageant, getting fit is not a race. And even if it were, it is only against yourself.
If you don’t know where to begin, consult with a fitness expert or personal coach. Also, do research online and find the best advice based on your age, gender, and current physical condition. Finally, don’t forget you need time to rest and recover. It is in this stage where the muscle fibers in your body rejuvenate and rebuild.
If you want to be happy and healthy, many times less is more. Hence, use common sense when visiting the doctor, engage in a nutritional program you can keep, and work out at your own pace. It will help you live a longer, more vigorous, more fulfilling life.
