FUELS for your body

My journey to better health has been an evolution. There was a point where all I really cared about was a number on the scale. At times I've had narrow and scripted visions of health and fitness. I thought there was a technical fix that would quickly recover a more slender me. Recently, it has become apparent that the game needs to change. I need to address the healthy habits that will make my body perform at a high level for a long period of time.

Although my recent knee injury is improving, it revealed to me just how quickly one can pivot from feeling young to feeling old. My focus right now is being able to maintain my energy as I move through life. After a lot of thought, I've put together a set of guidelines for keeping my body working at peak efficiency for years to come. Introducing...

Five FUELS for Your Body


Food. Unburden. Exercise. Liquids. Sleep.


For a moment, think of your body like a car. We all keep our cars in running condition, generally. I don't know anyone who uses lemonade instead of gasoline or just says no to oil changes. We might complain about the price at the pump, but we pay it. And it's not just the fuel, we do routine maintenance and drive with care. We do what we need to so the car will run well throughout it's expected lifespan.

What if we treated our body just as well as our car? It would look like the Five FUELS.

Food.

• Use high quality fuel...eat mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
• Don't flood your engine...stop eating when you're full

Unburden.

• Clear out the back seat...empty your mind by uncluttering your life
• Take a Sunday drive...disconnect once in a while and take your mind off of things

Exercise.

• Increase the mileage...walk, bike, and do other forms of cardio 
• Increase horsepower...resistance training to stay strong later in life

Liquids.

• Top off your fluids...drink lots of water all through the day
• Cool your engine...stay hydrated at all times, especially during heat and activity

Sleep.

• Do routine maintenance...get ample rest for your body to repair itself
• Recharge your battery...sleep through the night to be at your best all day

I'll be writing more about these five principles here. And I'll let you know if I'm getting the desired result of a healthier, fit, and energetic body and mind. Join me on the journey.


Update: See my post on the five goals I am pursuing daily in support of FUELS.