Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem

Your body is the only thing you own

Life is an amazing thing. Humans are truly capable of almost anything, we can run a sub 4 min mile, make a car that can drive by its self or hold our breath for 16min. There is no limit to what we can achieve no matter how modest or how extravagant you are everything you do counts and is important.

 

Treating your body well is important through good nutrition, relationships with friends and family and rest can make the difference of a lifetime. Finding time for these things is something you can make a priority for yourself and the ones around you. Find the time for these things and make a difference for the people around you. Life is short its never to late to make an impact.

Nutrition is important Water, Fruits, Veggies, Complex Carbs, Fats, and Protein

Adequate nutrition is something that is neglected in our lives day after day, whether it’s due to poor economic status or the busy hustle of day-to-day life you can still strive for better nutrition, you have to try to make a difference. If you already live this way help the others around you.

Water is important; with out it life as we know it would not exist.  Our bodies are about 70% water and we need about 1.5-2.5 liters per day and even more if you are active or live in a hot or dry environment. So keep a water bottle handy and drink up small amounts all day long. A quick way to tell if you are hydrated is by the color of your pee.  Darker is bad, Lighter is good.

Fruits and Veggies are very important as well. Not only do they taste great but also they are packed with the nutrients that are essential for our bodies to function properly. These nutrients play a vital role in the function of our metabolism and just about every other function our bodies do. A diet rich in Fruits and Veggies can and will help prevent diseases, such as Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Cancer. Fruits and Veggies contain Phytonutrients, Antioxidants and other chemical that can rid our bodies of harmful compounds and carcinogens that we pick up from the environment around us.  So load your plate up with Fruits and Veggies ¼ to 2/3 of every meal should be a mixture of fruits and veggies.

Complex Carbohydrates are the fuels that make us go, day after day hour after hour. We could be at work sitting at our desk or chasing our dreams at the Ironman World Championships. Stock up on things like Oatmeal, Quinoa, Cuscus, and Multigrain bread.  Most complex carbs are packed with complex B vitamins that essentially drive our metabolism. A serving size of Complex Carbs is about 2 slices of bread or a cup of oatmeal. Avoid Complex Carbohydrates brother the simple sugar like cola or candy as much as you can. But don’t be afraid to have desert once and a while.

Fats and Protein make up the other part of the equation weather you are vegetarian or a meat eater fats and protein are important. Proteins help build and repair tissues like skin and muscle.  Fats are burned for energy at low intensities and play a role in hormone balance as well as the regulation of inflammation, blood pressure and our immune system.

Finding good sources of protein is easy just make sure it is a lean protein like chicken, fish or eggs, and if you are vegetarian beans, nuts, legumes and whole grains should do the trick.  A serving size of protein should only be about 10-15 grams and about the size of a deck of cards.

Good sources of fat are found in things like Avocados, Walnuts or olive oil. What makes them good sources is the way your body will process them and it has to do with the single bond found in them also know as Omega 3 or Omega 6, look for these key phrases or the words poly unsaturated fat and you should be set.   Include a source of fat with every meal you will be happier.

Enjoy the moment

Life is full of ups and downs take them each in stride. You only have 1 moment to live so make the best of it. Be active outdoors and love the ones around you.  Its important to do something active everyday 1 hour will do. Go for a walk with the dogs, hit the weights at the gym or try riding a bike, it’s as simple as that.

Celebrate life

Life is fragile, I know this sounds cliché but it truly is. Be careful the way you live your life and treat your body well so it will be strong for the people around you who need it. So you will be there a long time for your future kids and grandkids cherish the time around you they will cherish you.

Give more than you take

Giving more than you take is something I learned for somebody I hold dearly to my heart. She taught me this not knowingly, but through actions. Actions of kindness, Actions of love. Take care of the ones around you and they will take care of you. 

I’m no philosopher, doctor or scholar by any means I just wanted to spread the word that you can make a difference regardless if you realize it or not.  You already are making a difference try to make it positive. Don’t be afraid to take a risk.  You can change….

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt