Hello there!
Jairek Robbins here, and let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. I want to impart to you a lesson that sounds glaringly obvious but often flies under the radar. A lesson that will change the way you approach your health, endurance, and the game we call life.
It’s all about knowing your numbers.
Let’s clarify, these numbers aren’t about counting sheep, tracking stock prices, or even the latest baseball stats. These numbers are the metrics of life, the essential guidelines to ensure that your body is burning the ‘right’ fuel. And yes, as the title of this piece suggests, getting them right is a matter of life and death, especially if you’re into endurance sports. (By the way, isn’t life the greatest endurance sport of them all?)
Let’s build a solid foundation before we dive deeper into the numbers game. We need to understand three core elements necessary for our brains and bodies to function at their peak performance. These elements aren’t state-of-the-art supplements or alien ingredients. They are simple, basic, yet so very vital.
Our bodies, you see, are a result of millennia of evolution, designed to survive in the harshest conditions. In our caveman days, food wasn’t a few steps away in the nearest fridge. It was something to be hunted, dragged home, and rationed carefully. Our bodies learned to store nutrients, holding onto as much as possible, preparing for the potential scarcity of the future. It’s the same reason we store fat today.
So, here’s the grand revelation. If we want our bodies to let go of the fat, we need to convince them that there is no longer a scarcity of resources. We need to provide our bodies with an abundance of the nutrients they need so that they can finally let go of the excess and step into a state of abundance.
Ready to learn about these three essential fuels we need to abundantly give our bodies?
- Fuel #1 – Water is fuel. It sounds repetitive, but it’s surprising how many folks are walking around mildly dehydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces daily – minimum. If you weigh 200 lbs., you’re drinking 100 ounces of water each day.
- Fuel #2 – Oxygen is the key to health. Deep, mindful breathing can dramatically improve your overall health and wellbeing. Check out the techniques for proper diaphragmatic breathing [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphragmatic_breathing). My favorite is the 1x3x2 method, where you breathe in for 5 seconds, hold it for 15 seconds, and then breathe out for 10 seconds. Try it out, see if it works for you.
- Fuel #3 – This one is the game-changer. I’ll reveal this absolute must-have fuel in tomorrow’s post. Trust me; it’s worth the wait.
Before I sign off, remember, these steps are a means to ensure your body has the energy it needs to perform at its best. A personal preference of mine is the “Alkaline” fueling method. If you’re interested, a great resource is Dr. Robert Young’s book, [The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health](http://amazon.com).
Stay strong, stay tuned, and remember to live every day to the fullest.