Now that we’re in a new year it’s time to refocus. We survived another Covid ravaged holiday season with the new Delta variant. Family socializing was disrupted, travel plans were chaotic, but that can’t shake us from developing a plan to get in tip-top shape this year.
During the holiday season, I was visiting family in Texas and I picked up five pounds!
It’s not unusual for me to pick up weight during the winter season because I’m not outside running as much, but during most of 2021 I was very proud to say I was right on point regarding my weight. However, during my visit, I was eating out a lot. Salty and highly processed food—although it was plant-based—was a daily occurrence for a little more than a week. When not eating out I was “snacking” on salted cashews and other things that add to the waistline. And way too much wine went through my body!
Four out of the 8 days I went jogging for a few miles, so maybe that blunted my reckless eating a little. But, we must keep in mind that you can’t exercise away bad eating habits. Regardless of how much you exercise, what you choose to chew on and digest will determine your metabolic destiny.
That said, the refocus for my clients and me is back to the basics in 2022.
For breakfast, fruit and water. For lunch, salad and water. For dinner steamed veggies with quinoa, rice or farro and homemade oil-free marinades and dressings. For snacking and dessert more fruit or oil-free creations that can be made at home. The aforementioned is the foundation for metabolic strength. Yes, you can go outside of those parameters from time to time, but it must be the exception, not the rule.
For exercise in 2022, I’m recommending daily activity. Every other day I flip-flop between focusing on cardio training and weight training. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you’re consistent. This year I’m not taking days off, but rest is important.
If you need downtime, at the very least do some stretching or yoga.
With refocus and discipline, 2022 could be the best year of your life from a metabolic and physical standpoint. It’s not rocket science. It’s simply a matter of putting our priorities in place.
