Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

As a trainer, I get asked a lot about the little details when it comes to weight loss or changing your physique. For example, “Should I eat quinoa instead of rice?” “What is the best exercise to get killer abs?” “Should I run on the treadmill or try the elliptical instead?” “Which protein shake is best for me?”

I get it. Your mindset has shifted to a place where you can finally make yourself the priority. You’re motivated to work out and eat healthy, and no one likes feeling like they are wasting their time doing the wrong thing.

But that’s the thing - is there really a right or wrong way? And in the grand scheme of things, does the small stuff really matter?

The most important thing to remember is that YOU make yourself a priority. Start doing something to move yourself forward towards building the healthiest version of you. It is important to feel safe and comfortable in your body and to feel that you own it. Making a definitive decision to change something in your diet or workout is going to be more effective than constantly second-guessing yourself and getting stuck doing research and never finding the right answer. Holding yourself hostage to the latest and greatest fad will get you nowhere. Ask yourself; what feels right and good to me? What brings me the most happiness?

Here is what I’ve learned and want to share with you: The big stuff matters, not the nitty gritty. It is a better investment of your time to devote your energy into building the basic pillars of your success than fretting about the small stuff. When we get caught up in minutiae, we actually end up putting off our health and fitness goals and lose sight of the bigger picture. It is about progression, not perfection. When we stop worrying and overthinking about getting all the details right, we can focus on what’s truly important to our health and happiness.

Here are six pillars of health and fitness that we should focus our time and energy on:

1. Consistency is key: Consistent, daily effort will make you happier and move you closer to building the healthiest version of you.

2. Reduce your stress: Focusing on what's going on internally is just as important as all the hard work you do at your job or at home or the gym for that matter. Do yoga, meditate, read books, or do whatever it is that reduces your level of stress and helps you overcome stressful people or situations effectively.

3. Strength train with progression: Challenge your body when you lift weights from one workout to the next. Gradually and gently push a muscle past its current limits. Most importantly, know what these limits are!

4. Drink enough water: Stay hydrated. Listen to your body. Sometimes we are not hungry but thirsty.

5. Get enough sleep. Remember quality of sleep matters more than quantity, so make sure that your body is getting the rest it needs to recharge. Establish a sleep routine and aim for the same amount of sleep each night.

6. Eat good quality food that makes you feel healthy and nourished, especially before and after a workout. Consuming nutrient dense food properly controls your energy balance and will help you achieve a healthy body composition so that you can meet your performance and physique goals. Remember, a healthy body is measured by more than just the scale.

Get in tune with these pillars first-the smaller stuff doesn't matter. YOU matter. You are the priority, and what makes you the happiest and moves you closer to your healthiest self is what counts. Not what the next person is doing or saying. Be the owner of your body and know what it needs instead of worrying about it.

I leave you with this thought provoking question from the Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and TOny Schwartz

"How effectively are the choices that you are making serving you today and your long term goals?"

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