The Makings of a Man

Fitness is not easy. It takes dedication, commitment, hard work, and consistency. Aristotle said:

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.

One of my favorite quotes, because this pertains to all areas of life, including fitness. It is our habits that derail us from reaching our goals. We develop these bad habits, and repeat them subconsciously, to the point that we don’t even realize that these normal day-to-day occurrences hold us back. Talking with a few people recently, I see these common habits that if changed, will yield immediate results and start them on their way to better and fit living. Here are a few easy tweaks to make to improve your nutrition and fitness.

Eat breakfast

If there’s one nutritional hazard that many people have, it’s not eating breakfast. We all know the excuses: "I have no time", "I hate breakfast", "I can wait until lunch", etc. Breakfast, as cliché as it sounds, is the most important meal of the day. It revs your metabolism up, assisting in fat burning/weight loss, and gives you energy to start your day. Now I’m talking about good meals, so don’t swindle this tip for your own benefit. Start off the day right!

Don't skip meals

Another reason why breakfast is so important is because if you go over three hours without eating, your body goes into starvation mode, retaining fat and making it difficult to burn it off. You should eat five or 6 meals a day (the three basic meals and snacks plus smaller meals) to keep your metabolism active.

Weight Train and Cardio Together

Lifting weights can burn three times as many calories as cardio training. You get an afterburn as well. Some people just lift weights. Some just do cardio. Doing both will maximize your results. Period. It might seem like a lot, but seeing your abs for the first time ever, may motivate you to push yourself harder.

These are three easy changes to implement into your schedule. The hardest part is breaking out of your normal habits and making these changes your new habit. Focus and make it happen!

Any tips you have that have worked for you?