Article 5 Step 4
The fourth and final piece of the of the Why Workouts Fail puzzle is probably a surprise to most readers. The reason most people fail in this area is that they do not rest properly for their goals, body and lifestyle.
Stress is a killer. Not getting the right kind of sleep and adequate body rest causes increased stress on the mind and body. Coming from a background in intense military training in the Army Airborne and serving in a Special Forces reserve unit, I speak from experience.
The body requires adequate rest to recuperate from intense exercise or strenuous activity. This can be in the form of work or workout - even both. Pushing harder is not always the best policy. Think work smarter, not harder.
I've found that most of my clients start to lose weight as they get adequate rest. I encourage them to try yoga as a pre-bed time ritual. To shut off any monitors or televisions as they near sleep times because they may be linked to triggering brain chemicals that may disrupt sleep. Getting early morning sun also helps reset circadian rhythm (the natural sleep cycle based on the sun and hormones).
Reducing or eliminating caffeine is also essential for deep wave/REM sleep. I've read that caffeine can sty in the body as long as 16 hours after consumption. I'm told that it is only during REM sleep that growth hormone is released for body and muscle repair.
Rest and recovery are also hand and hand. Not just sleep, the body, mind and spirit need a balance of play, distraction, art, down-time and a variety of other stimulation (or lack thereof) to reset and function optimally. Experiment with some different activities for your best performance. I find deep breathing throughout the day, tai chi and yoga stretches do wonders for me and my clients. I highly recommend giving it a chance to work its magic in your life.
Combine this with the other three pieces to the workout success puzzle and you will enjoy a life filled with health, abundance, joy and peace.
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