One simple step to a healthier life

A lot of the people I hear from in my coaching gig talk about how they want to get healthier and change their lifestyle to fit. Most people that do this though think this is going to be a very difficult journey, but in reality there are many simple lifestyle changes you can make to help.

Most of you already know some of them. Park far from the building, take the stairs, etc, etc. Some require more energy like working out, getting physical activity every day, getting good sleep, or eating healthy 80% of the time. This post is to give you one simple change you can make that will make a huge difference in your march to be more healthy. Look at this:

What is that you ask? That is my new standing desk. For many in the US our jobs contribute greatly to our sedentary lifestyle. The evolution of work in the US has meant almost exclusively more people sitting for 8+ hours a day. This sedentary lifestyle is horrendous for our health. The lack of motion is one of the worst things for the human body beyond the necessary sleep each night.

I originally had my monitor on an adjustable standing desk piece like the keyboard is, but decided to add the shelf instead to get my second monitor back in play.

Most large companies have ergonomic assessments and there are many versions of these types of stands. I got mine at Uncaged Ergonomics and they are pretty cheap (the version I got was $140 but they have even cheaper ones) so most companies will pay for them.

Make simple changes in your life to get healthier.

The "core" of being a coach

People have a lot of ideas about what a Team Beachbody coach is and a lot of them are wrong. People think I am a personal trainer, a nutrition expert, or a perfect physical fitness nut sometimes. This is wrong though. I am just a regular person, with regular problems, regular hectic schedules, and lots of love for progress. The core concept of being a coach is that you do your best, you get better every day, and you help others do the same.

I am crazy about fitness. I actually do love working out, but that does not mean I find it easy or simple. I find it difficult and even excruciatingly painful at times. For more than 8 years I have suffered from back problems. Mostly just muscle spasms but they can often be difficult. For about 4 years now I have suffered from neck issues. Over the years I have torn my hamstring, ruptured my quadriceps tendon, and strained my achilles tendon. I have a short right leg which often means I am completely out of alignment with my spine. I regularly visit a chiropractor to correct this and do my best to keep my core strong as best I can.

In the meantime I push play just about every day. Sometimes I go hard, as hard as I can because I am feeling good. Sometimes I modify slightly or skip certain exercises because I am worried they will hurt one of my injuries. Sometimes I go light and back way off because my body is just telling me to. The point is that I show up, and that's half the battle.

I have had several people say to me when discussing a program they want to do: "Well I want something less extreme than that P90X3 stuff you and some of your buddies do." Well guess what? Yes it's extreme, but here's a secret, sometimes I struggle through it too! (sshhhhh don't tell anyone). Just to prove it here is a video of me struggling my way through X3 Ab Ripper yesterday. Watch the pain in my face! I knew I needed to get back to core though because my back was acting up.

That's it folks, no secrets, no superhuman strength. Just a guy trying to get in better shape and fight the old age and beating his body has taken in the last 38 years. One of my favorite quotes says:

"Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right"

I challenge you to join one of my groups or my team and find out if you are right!