This week I had to take my annual IBM health assessment to get a rebate on my health insurance premiums. I figured it was worth my time to save $150 bucks. Usually, I breeze through these things because they seems like such a formality, but this time I was intrigued by the survey questions in my “Personal Vitality Assessment.”
I got to thinking…rather than always focusing on my fitness or nutrition, I should frequently take a step back and think about my overall vitality. Personal vitality measures overall health in 4 key areas:
Physical
Mental
Emotional
Purpose – INTERESTING! (I very much believe that having a sense of individual life purpose is absolutely fundamental to personal happiness and contentment – read more)
Here’s a snap shot of (what I thought) were the most interesting parts of the Personal Vitality assessment. As you can see, some of my responses are included. I was going to hide them, but figured you guys would appreciate the honesty/transparency…
PART 1
PART 2
I think we could all benefit by asking ourselves these questions on a regular basis. Doing so may help us understand the areas in our life and in our health habits that need more attention.
Give yourself a Personal Vitality assessment and let me know how it goes – don’t forget an action plan!
G’ Morning, GritBrit fans! As my still sleepy eyes gaze around my room this morning and squint away the bright NYC sunshine seeping through my blinds, my half-awake brain remembers that I need to get working on a guest nutrition post I promised Brit. I have been brainstorming ideas all week, but at the moment, all I can do is think about one thing: coffeeeeeee!
And that’s when it hit me. I’ll post about COFFEE! Just give me a moment to finish this cup….
Yum. Okay. Now, let’s chat about java 🙂
A cup of joe can serve you well
First, you may be thinking, what is this nutritionist pumping up coffee for? It’s true, coffee has historically been a controversial topic in the nutrition field. Stunted growth, jitters, and even heart disease are just a few of the ills that were said to be linked with too much joe drinkin’.
But times are a changing, folks, and that’s old news. The latest research about coffee proves otherwise. Keep reading to learn more about why coffee is, in fact, GOOD for you (*in moderation*), and how to drink it to get the maximum benefit for your bod!
What are the benefits associated with drinking coffee?
Increased energy levels
Improved athletic performance
Improved brain function
Improved mood
Alleviation of constipation (ewww)
Improved sex drive (yay!)
Reduced post-workout muscle pain
Protection from certain cancers, Parkinson’s Disease, and Type 2 Diabetes
Coffee contains very few calories and high levels of antioxidants
What IS moderation?
2-4 (8 oz) cups.
How do you recommend drinking coffee?
Time? Morning is best to avoid any interference with sleep. It is also fine to spread your intake throughout the day if you prefer — just make sure it’s not creeping past 3-4pm, and isn’t totaling a quantity greater than the above recommendation. Coffee-ing (okay, I this isn’t an actual verb) about 30mins before exercising can also provide an awesome boost to your workout.
Milk? Skim milk, low-fat milk, soymilk, or none = all good options.
Sugar? Skip it, and avoid the excess calories. If you need some sweetness, opt for a sugar substitute (these do not cause cancer – that is a myth!). I personally like Splenda.
Disclaimers:
*Coffee is not a sleep replacement. If you find that you need coffee to stay awake throughout the day, you may need to re-work your sleep regimen.
*Many of the claims and suggestions contained in this post are not applicable to those with caffeine sensitivities and certain medical conditions such as heart irregularities, GERD, etc.
Questions? Comments? Leave ’em, and let’s chat. I’m am happy to clarify any/all of your coffee concerns!
