The Boring Plan to Good Health

I'm a creature of habit.

My exercise regime is a habit.  Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I'm up at 4:40 to meet some 

friends at the gym to work out. 

On Tuesday and Thursday, it's a bike ride from Cycology.  On Saturday at 8, it's another ride from a variety of spots around Blount County.  Winter and summer--same schedule.

It is rare that I miss a workout and even more rare that I miss a bike ride. 

My eating is based on habit.  Every Sunday morning, I have the exact same breakfast.  2 eggs, 2 pieces of Benton's bacon, 2 pieces of toast with pumpkin butter.

Breakfast at work is the same bowl of cereal (Kashi Strawberry Fields, extra dried strawberries, skim milk) at 6:15 then start work at 6:30.  Every day. 

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon, I've got to have a snack the minute my body tells me it needs one.  I keep a container of almonds close by, just in case.   I'm more likely to brown bag for lunch than go out.

And before that Saturday morning ride, it's 2 whole wheat Eggo's, fruit, and milk.

A lot of the rest of my day is the sameness of habit.  Every day on the way home from work, I call my mom.  It may only be a 3 or 4 minute conversation, but it is still important.

Maybe it's a hint of OCD but I pack my truck for the next day before I go to bed, I get to airports way too early, and if I'm late for a meeting, something is wrong.  I believe that on time is late--that early is when you need to arrive.

Some might call all this boring.  I think, not so much.  It's a routine that just works for me. 

Let's look at the exercise thing. 

I believe that the best time to exercise is in the morning.  It cranks up your metabolism and sets the tone for the day.  If you do it early in the morning, you won't find available to you any of the excuses that seem easy later in the day (didn't have time, too tired, boss called a meeting, et cetera, et cetera). 

I believe that we exercise better with others.   Miss a CrossFit workout and the guys in my group will be texting with disparaging comments within the hour.  Biking is just more fun in a group . 

And the eating thing-eating three meals a day and healthy snacks along the way is important.  With the exception of the Benton's bacon, I really watch fat grams (sometimes I watch them going down the hatch).  Not a big fan of refined sugar and flour and avoid processed meats like the plague, but I have not jumped on the no-carbs bandwagon.  I still like my carbs.

Too many people are "yo-yo's" with their diet and exercise.   I believe it is more important to be consistent with what you do.  The sameness to my routine means that I exercise regularly and eat sensibly.  All the time.  Always have.

I think I'm going to stick with my boring plan.