Hump Day Health Hack with @amysfitnessandnutrition
Most people think of bodybuilders are pumped-up statuesque figures with more fake tan than the 1990s. But the simple truth is, we are all bodybuilders. Everything we put into our bodies on a daily basis goes into building the people we become later in the day, tomorrow, next week, next month, and even next year. I’ve seen this theory proven in clients who sugary crave less sugar, feel considerably better about their body, have better mood and energy – to name a few benefits.
Elements That Go Into Building Your Body
Food
Here’s an example for you. In the short term choosing to eat a donut will affect whether or not we have a sugar high (and potential crash) over the next few hours. Tomorrow, we might not think twice about it but we might either feel guilty or crave more sugar as that is what our body expects. Longer-term this choice will affect how our genes are expressed. If we consistently choose inflammatory foods high in sugar and low in nutritional value our bodies start to change. Alternatively, if we choose healthy options consistently the opposite is true.
Movement
Not moving signals to our bodies that we don’t need the muscles we’re born with. Over time these muscles will start to weaken and slowly disappear. By moving; lifting heavy things, walking, hiking, doing housework – we signal to our muscles that they are still very much needed!
Sleep
It’s a big theme in the health world at the moment as it’s an element many of us have been ignoring, but getting a good night’s sleep can be more important than you realise. In a study test subjects who slept for 6 rather than 8 hours ate up to 20% more the following day. Being tired leads our body to grab anything it can for more energy and to feel better. Hello, fast food cravings.
Stress
Stress is a big one. If we eat with feelings of stress or guilt – or whilst our bodies are in a stressed-out state (i.e. at the desk, in the car, etc.) our bodies don’t absorb the nutrients. Believe it or not, the food is more likely to be stored as fat rather than be turned into energy! Consistently high-stress hormones can also predispose us to store fat around our mid-section. Not a goal many of us have!
What’s The Takeaway?
Just to provoke some thoughts and mindfulness around what you put in. Keep this in mind next time you put something in your mouth, decide to stay in bed rather than head to the gym, eat at your desk or choose an extra episode of Yellowstone rather than heading to bed.
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