 Are you drinking water? If not, please start right away! Water is essential for you to be healthy and fit 4 life. If you are drinking water, how much? There is so much information out on the World Wide Web about how much water you should drink that it makes it really hard to know which expert/non expert to follow where this subject is concerned. Some say you should drink 8 glasses per day, some say you should drink half your body weight and a lot of Facebook and Instagram post have been circulating for you to drink at least a gallon per day. Do you need that much water per day? I don’t know, so my suggestion is that you drink enough water to help you with these four things. Remember everybody is different. What is necessary for one person may not be necessary for you. 1. Drink enough water to flush out the toxins in your body. The color and the smell of your urine is a great indicator of how much water you need or how much more water your body needs. Remember clear and odorless is great. 2. Drink enough water to help suppress your appetite. Just because your stomach is rumbling does not mean you need to eat, especially if you are not going to eat the right things. Keep some almonds at your desk. Eat a handful and drink some water and that rumbling will go away. 3. Drink enough water to help your digestion. Water helps to fend off bloating. 4. Drink enough water to feel energized. You don’t need an energy drink to perk you up. You will be amazed at how energized you are when your body is properly hydrated. As stated before, I’m not an expert on this subject matter so with anything you do regarding your health, consult your physician. For my healthy and fit 4 life journey, I have avoided all of the above, just by staying hydrated. I usually drink 64oz of water during work hours. I drink more water while I’m working out and then for dinner I enjoy either a glass of green tea or more water, just depends on what I’m eating. If drinking water is a challenge for you, try adding some lemons to your water or your favorite citrus fruit; limes, oranges, grapefruit. Try adding some frozen strawberries; you’ll think you’re having a special treat.  Remember, this is not a one size fits all. There is a lot of information out there so be sure you are doing what is needed for your body. 
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 So, let's talk workouts. As I have said before, I'm not a certified professional so anything I suggest is from my own personal experiences. After trying many different diets and workout programs, I finally realized that I had to do what works best for me if I wanted to be healthy and fit for life. One size does not fit all. If you are just starting a workout plan, I would like to suggest you consult with your doctor first. Get a physical checkup to have a starting point. Everyone is different and are on different levels in their fitness journey. What works for me, may not be what works for you and vice versa. So, please be careful and know your limitations. I know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us but with everything you do, the law of progression is important. Take your time. This is a lifestyle change not an overnight fix. You cannot fix years of bad habits with one 30-day challenge. The worst thing would be to start a program super charged, injure yourself, then stop because you are discouraged from the injury. So, after you have consulted with your physician and a nutritionist, you can begin to develop a plan that will work for you for the long haul. Remember, this is a lifestyle change, a marathon, not a sprint!! I have a couple of suggestions. Not sure if you've heard of them, but when I needed a push to get back in the swing of things, I went to a boot camp. There are a ton of classes to choose from but I really enjoyed 21 Days of Hell ran by Five Star Fitness. It only cost $21 for 21 days. Can't beat that. Now, this is not going to be an easy class, but in my opinion, this is a great way to get started and actually see results. If you decide to give it a try, tell Tiffany and Germaine I sent you. If $21 is not in the budget right now then I suggest I AM BHAM Fitness. This is free, but the stadium is no joke. I may be wrong but I think it is run by the city of Birmingham Parks and Recreation. Check them both out on Facebook. I'm a member of a local gym and I really enjoy the classes but when I need a kick in the buttocks, I sign up for a boot camp. There are plenty of options to choose from when deciding to start your fitness regime, so choose a program that works for you, just remember slow and steady wins the race. Rome wasn't built in a day or even a 30-day challenge...LOL!!!   |
Photo used under Creative Commons from marcoverch
