In our time as CrossFit trainers and fitness coaches, we’ve found 5 areas worth looking at to make a plan the become the healthiest versions of ourselves. We call these the 5 Factors of Health. They take a holistic view of health and fitness. These 5 factors, when done with consistency, have significantly transformed our lives for the better. Here they are:
2020: Your Fittest Year Yet
5 areas worth looking at to make a plan for the healthiest version of yourself. The New Year gives us a fresh start, a chance to evaluate the year behind us, take the lessons, and craft a vision for the year ahead. In terms of our health and fitness, it is also an opportunity to begin the work of letting go of habits that…
Nutrition
GOAL: Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants. Eliminate refined carbohydrates processed foods and sugar. Our modern American diets are carb and sugar filled. Combined with our sedentary lifestyles, as a nation – we are heavier and unhealthier than ever. Trendy diets may give us the satisfaction of losing weight quickly, but they don’t fix our bad habits and food addictions or help…
Sleep
GOAL: Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night Arguably the most important influencer on our health is the amount of sleep we get. Less than 7 hours a night increases risk of cancer, early death, dementia and cognitive decline, and other chronic diseases. Busy is not an excuse. It might make it harder to prioritize time in our day for sleep, but…
Exercise
The best advice we give to people when they ask if CrossFit is right for them is this:Figure out what works for you! The best form of exercise is the kind we can be consistent with. Many of us have experimented with fitness regimes that we have not been able to maintain for any period of time. Don’t give up! Any “failure” to follow…
Relationships
GOAL: Let’s create healthy connections! We are social creatures. No matter how independent or introverted you are, you still need actual human connection. This doesn’t just mean having people you spend time with, it means having people you spend time with you make you feel seen, heard, and supported. Do you have at least one person in your life that you feel supported by?…
Mindset
A healthy mindset is one that is growth oriented! Creating Mental Toughness A healthy mindset is one that is growth oriented (read Carol Dweck’s book “Mindset”). It is one that is able to focus on the things you have control over. A healthy mindset is one where you are aware of your thoughts and feelings, rather than be blindly controlled by them in day to…
Use these 5 factors of health to make a plan of attack to become the best version of yourself. Take stock of where things are at in each category and define what you have control over. Then make changes!
Breaking bad habits and creating healthy, new ones starts one, small step at a time. Be brutally honesty with yourself. You’re worth it and you deserve to feel better!