Finding balance and wellness can seem hard, but sometimes its about making small swaps that add up over time. If prioritizing your wellness is on your to-do list this year (and it should be!) you might be sabotaging yourself with some of these things without knowing it. Here are the top 5 things I see clients doing and what to do instead.
Skimping on Sleep: The Silent Saboteur
I know there are baskets of laundry to fold, emails to send, or toys to pick up, but skimping on sleep consistently is like robbing your body of its restoration time. Poor sleep not only affects your mood and cognitive function but also wreaks havoc on your metabolism and immune system. So, if you're aiming to mess up your wellness, make sure to consistently get fewer hours of sleep than your body deserves.
Go Too Long Between Meals
It might seem like a good idea at the moment, but skipping meals just sets you up for failure. Your body needs a consistent flow of nutrients to function optimally, and depriving it of this can lead to energy crashes, nutrient deficiencies, and an uncontrollable urge to binge on unhealthy foods. If you struggle with snacking or craving sweets, I challenge you to proactively eat a balanced snack or meal every 3-4 hours and see how quickly that changes.
Focus on Only Cardio: Ignoring the Balance
Cardiovascular exercise is fantastic for heart health and burning calories, but girl, you need to be strong too. You have kiddos to carry, and the crushing weight of being a mother in 2024 and trying to do it all! But seriously, focusing on logging tons of hours on the treadmill will just end up leaving you feeling hungry and can actually slow your metabolism. Strength training on the other hand preserves and builds lean muscle AND increases bone density, it might not sound sexy, but getting out of a chair by yourself with you're 80 years old is :)
Miss Out on Protein
Protein is the building block for muscle repair and immune function not to mention helps with blood sugar balance, energy and metabolism. Skim on protein, and you'll find yourself constantly fatigued, struggling with muscle soreness, and compromising your body's ability to recover after workouts. Aim for at least 30 grams at breakfast, and 15-20 grams for each snack. Remember sugar cravings and that afternoon slump - make protein your boo and you can kiss them both goodbye.
Only Drink Coffee-
But first, Coffee. I know, I know, but drinking it on an empty stomach and all day without water is a non-starter. Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it can contribute to dehydration when consumed in excess. Plus, neglecting water and other hydrating beverages robs your body of essential fluids needed for optimal organ function and overall well-being. Drink up buttercup!
Are you guilty of any of these? Let me know, I'd love to hear if you swap any of these habits out and feel better, feel free to DM me on instagram or shoot me an email at info@thenourishedway.com.