Thirst Quencher

PURELY WATER

Water - the simple, single most important ingredient to improve your health. It's so simple yet, we don't drink enough of it. It's the same for me - even though I'm aware of the benefits, I have to constantly remind myself to drink throughout the day. If I'm feeling a bit tired, water is the key. Stomach ache? Water again. So, why do we struggle to drink it - and why is it often as an after-thought? As a rule, I'll have a glass of warm water with lemon juice in it every morning. I'll have another glass with my breakfast and if I'm riding to work or getting the tube, another glass before I leave the house. That's 3/4 Litre just in the morning. Throughout the day I'll drink 2-3 more in the morning and another before lunch. These tactical glasses of water not only get me up and moving around - give me a break from the computer screen and fill me up so I skip going fro an 11 o'clock snack and have a smaller meal at lunch. Drinking water throughout the afternoon also helps keep the hunger pangs at bay and keeps the mind focussed better and for longer than if you opt for a quick caffeine or sugar fix - which will give a temp boost but leave you with a lull after.

Keep a bottle on hand. I like to have a 1L re-usable plastic bottle that I fill twice a day - pouring into a smaller glass makes it less of a mission to get through.

Save Money And The Environment
Drink from the tap. Don't like the taste? Add a slice of lemon, cucumber or get these great sugar free Nuun hydration tablets. Not only are they really great for re-hydrating post workout, they are also a calorie-free alternative to expensive sugary pub drinks when you're out with friends - just get a pint of water with ice and drop in the tab! They have a great range of different flavours to try.

There's no evidence to show drinking bottled mineral or spring water is any better for you - and we're also contributing to the landfill problem by buying so many plastic bottles. But it can be inconvenient getting water from a tap, so bottled is the way to go. I've bought myself a couple of these - and keep one in my pocket so I can always have water on hand - I feel much better using this than buying and throwing away plastic bottle all the time.

Choosing Alternatives

IT'S ALL UP TO YOU

In just a few weeks, I've made some measurable changes that have had a really positive impact to my life path. Removing alcohol from the house, and not going to the pub have helped me to be more disciplined, get better sleep, have more energy, eat better food, use free time constructively and save money. Through adjusting my sleep pattern and resetting my body clock, there's now a couple of extra peak performance hours in my day. Taking certain foods out of my diet has meant I've burnt off some excess body fat and dropped 13lbs (5.8kg). Having a schedule of exercise has meant I'm moving, thinking, feeling and performing better all round. Having the extra time to make assessments on progress in the form of a blog, plus leaving space for creating every day means I am improving my mental capabilities as well as the physical. And all of these changes are happening because of me.

Taking the time to research ways on how to improve myself, I've been presented with lots of new information - digested, understood it and made decisions based on sound reasoning. I've taken action, made good decisions and chosen viable alternatives where necessary. Alternatives to things like: having a few pints of beer and staying out late, snoozing in a warm bed longer, lounging around eating junk and watching trash TV. There are a lot of alternatives that are seemingly easier to do but there are also alternatives that are just as easy, fun, tasty etc. but will show a different result at the end. Alternatives that, if followed consistently, will make us fitter, faster, stronger, brighter and better. 

Here's a reminder for some simple decisions and alternatives:

Eat In More

Buying groceries rather than ready meals - especially in bulk quantities, will save money. We know exactly what's going into every meal so always choose healthy, organic, un-processed and nutritious food over the alternatives.

Plan Ahead
Preparing meals in advance, will also help with discipline and save time. My partner and I now make this part of our quality together time early on a Sunday morning and we're always exited to try new food and look forward to making our meals every week. 

No Alcohol When Socialising

There's so many alternative beverages when you're at home but pubs, bars and restaurants have mostly sugary, carbonated and alcoholic drinks. If you have alcohol - try paleo drinks like Gin, Ciroc vodka (made with grapes), dry white wine or cider and avoid carbonated sugary mixers or juices if possible. I will have fresh press apple juice or an organic ginger beer/ale mixed with ice and water in a pint glass - and add a shot of whiskey or vodka if drinking alcohol. A glass of red wine has also got anti-oxidants and not going to harm you - but so has eating certain vegetables. I've had just as much fun meeting, catching up with friends without the alcohol and been far more controlled when it's come time to say goodbye, eat and get to bed early. 

Move Around More

Walking everywhere and doing it 1.5 - 2 times as fast, will speed your metabolism and burn calories/lower cholesterol. Take stairs up 2 at a time and never stand on an escalator. 

Eat Less Sweets And Junk Food

Swap the crisps for nuts, the sweets for fruit and if you want extra treats - restrict them to 1-2 times a week - ie. The weekend. There's great alternatives to mass-produced chocolates and sweets that are made with raw chocolate, sweetened with honey or maple syrup instead of processed sugar. They may cost a little bit more but you should only need a little bit if you've eaten well. I've removed all snacks from my day during the week and look forward to having with a film on a Saturday night - this is all I need. There's lots of alternatives to diary and if you want bread, try rye or spelt alternatives. Swap out oil and butter for coconut oil when cooking and avoid at all if possible.

Remember to think first: What's the alternative...?

Whatever you're doing, take a thought before acting and ask yourself - do I need this? Is it going to benefit me and are there better alternatives?

Check the Internet and you're bound to find out!