Committing to a Better You

Yes, it's Saturday of opening Deer Hunting Weekend - no I am not a hunter! Instead, I sit inside reflecting on the week about to end and the commitment to training and eating better. I just finished a 13 mile ride outdoors on a windy, rainy morning. For me, there is nothing like getting outside and letting your wheels hit the pavement. As I was riding today, I started to think how this past week has really felt like the starting point to a better me.

Perhaps the greatest commitment to a better me comes from what I am fueling my body with. It's rather difficult to commit to a training regimen if you don't feed your body with food it can use. I will be the first to admit, I love my carbs and sugar. Unfortunately, my body and mind do not! If I want to commit to training for an Iron Man, or even Half Iron Man, I must first commit to a better and more healthier diet.

And that's just what I did to star the week of. Starting with boycotting sugar and empty carbs - mainly bread. It was quickly followed with a trip to the grocery store to fill the fridge with much healthier and more colorful food options. It also meant dedicating time to prepare meals that include a healthy dose of protein and simple carbs my body can digest and break down...spinach, sweet potatoes, zuccini, sweet peppers.

What I also learned was that I needed to change how I ate my meals. Rather than dinner being my largest meal, I planned for breakfast to be my meal that packed the most punch. After all, it was breakfast that was going to be fueling my day. Dinner became my lightest meal, never eating past 8 pm. While it's only been a week, I can definitely feel the benefits paying off already. How do I know?

First and foremost, my mind has become more positive. I can approach each day with a positive and optimistic outlook. I sleep much better at night and don't seem to be as restless. Any my training - well I'll just let that speak for itself. I've trained for six days in a row this week, leaving Sunday for my day of rest. Most importantly, my body feels great after training so much.

The week saw three different swim workouts for a total of 5,300 meters. It included two indoor bike sessions for a total of 75 minutes, and one outdoor bike trip of 13.5 miles. There was one day of running two miles, and two different strength and core workouts. I've been busy and my body seems to be holding up in large part to how I'm feeding it. 

As you begin committing to a better you, be sure to focus on what your feeding your mind and body. Your body does a great job of telling you how it's feeling, what it likes, and what it doesn't like. You must be willing to make sacrifices if you wish to become a better you. #OwnYourDestiny