Aim for the "U"
Have you ever heard the phrase too much of a good thing is bad? Well, this is very true in regard to your health and wellness and adopting healthy behaviors. Oftentimes, we hear about the risks of not building healthy habits, but it is also important to realize more isn’t always better. Take a look at the “U” below:
One side of the “U,” you see the words “not doing it.” This could relate to exercising, eating your veggies or drinking water. Perhaps you aren’t doing any of these things currently, which can lead to health complications, injury and higher risk for diseases.
On the opposite side, you see the words “overdoing it.” This is when you take something and do it too much, turning it unhealthy. Similar to not doing it, this can also lead to health complications, injury or higher risk of diseases.
But what about right in the middle? Well, that’s the magical sweet spot.
As we adopt healthy behaviors, it’s important to recognize we shouldn’t be all or nothing. We also shouldn’t be doing the same exact workout and eating the exact same foods every day.
Throughout the past eight weeks, you’ve learned about a lot of healthy behaviors. With these healthy behaviors, your target should be on the pot of the gold. For example, in a previous week, you learned that while HIIT workouts have some very awesome benefits, if you complete them every day (overdoing it), you take a healthy behavior and make it unhealthy.
Overdoing it sets you up for overworking your body, which can lead to injury, a decrease in the functionality of your immune system, or exhaustion — burning yourself out and withdrawing from exercise all together. We can find similar parallels is various facets of health and wellness, including eating vegetables, avoiding entire food groups or having a lack of variety in your diet or exercise.
That is where this “U” mindset comes in.
Whether we talk about finding balance or using the “U” mindset, it all leads us to the same conclusion: We have to find our happy medium that promotes longevity and overall health. How can we successfully implement exercise, HIIT, healthy eating and more and stay on track for the long haul? How much is too much? These are important questions to answer as you plan out your meals and exercises.
By aiming for the “U,” you aim to implement health and wellness not for a season or until you achieve a short-term goal, but to achieve a lifestyle that leads to a long, happy life.
About the author
Ms. Lauren Scotti is Vice President, Director of Slainte Fitness, and Personal Development Team Leader at USLI, leading the Slainte team and organizing the company’s recreational sports teams and wellness initiatives. Ms. Scotti enjoys staying active by running, teaching HIIT classes and strength training. Ms. Scotti also enjoys coaching others about creating positive changes and incorporating healthier habits into their lives.