back to basics
hi friends! I know it’s been a while since I’ve hit y’all with a blog post, life has been a lil busy lately! but I’m back, and today I want to share what I think are some health and wellness basics! whether you’re someone who is just starting out with seeking a healthier lifestyle or someone who is seasoned but just needs a reminder, you’re in the right place. to begin, nutrition is absolutely the basis for health and wellness, because your body can’t do what you’d like it to if you’re not properly fueled! while dietary needs look different for everyone, there are a few general suggestions. eat throughout the day! eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as opposed to one big meal or a bunch of snacks, ensures that you’ll have fuel at any given time, and can help you develop more healthy habits! going along with eating throughout the day, you want to make sure that what you are eating is sustainable. many people associate health with all salad, all the time, and this is not true! healthy eating truly constitutes a balance of all the nutrients that your body needs, not just the ones from veggies. incorporating a healthy amount of carbs into your diet is what gives you energy, so don’t avoid those! the final part of nutrition that I want to touch on is hydration. the importance of water is something that many people forget about, and that can become dangerous, especially in sports! water helps regulate your body temperature, keeps your skin hydrated, and much more. as an athlete, I strive to drink at least a gallon of water a day, but a half gallon is a good goal. having a reusable bottle (I like metal ones) can help you not only keep up with the habit, but also support the environment! the next thing I want to talk about is about stretching - essential to anyone who does physical activity! before and after activity, you want to make sure that you get a good stretch in, 5 to 10 minutes worth! an example stretch is butterflies, sitting on the ground with the soles of your feet touching each other, and then stretching your back downwards to touch your head to your feet. another is a quad stretch, folding your leg behind you, grabbing your foot, and trying to bring it as close to your back as possible. stretching can not only improve your flexibility and range of motion, but it can also help you to lengthen your muscle fibers. short muscle fibers are more prone to tighten up and carry lactic acid, which is what makes you sore! supplemental tools can also aid in muscle recovery, I use the Roll Recovery R8 when my muscles need a good deep tissue massage! lastly, I want to talk about mindset. positivity is key in any regard, and a health and wellness or athletic journey is truly something that you can call your own. YOU are the one in control of your thoughts and efforts, so let them be positive to propel your journey forward! do not let pressure, comparison, or what seems like a mistake in your eyes wreak havoc on you! even the most physically talented athletes will never reach success if they have a negative mindset. that’s all for today friends! I hope that these tips help you become the best version of yourself, you got it!
my favorite bottle, the Simple Modern Summit 64oz!
quad stretch, always good after a tough run!
