What is Overall Health?
Let's take a moment to get to know each other. My name is Richard, and I run CrossFit Fiend. As a coach, CrossFit is the best way to improve your fitness and overall well-being. I'm lucky enough to have a fiancé who's also a talented CrossFit athlete, and we both share a passion for this fantastic community. However, owning a CrossFit gym has taught me that health is more than physical fitness. With this blog, I want to explore the many facets of well-being and offer guidance and support.
Maintaining good health is a crucial aspect of our lives. Many people tend to neglect it until it's too late. Fortunately, some may stumble upon it before it's too late. It's not uncommon for people to give up on things they want to do simply because they don't think they're fit enough to do them. This is a common misconception, especially when it comes to starting CrossFit. People think they must get in shape first, but that's not true. Just like you don't need to get over the flu before seeing a doctor, you don't need to be fit to start CrossFit.
From the start, my main goal was to lose weight, and I achieved it. But then, I wanted to look a certain way and build muscle. And once I reached that, I aimed higher - to lift more weight. However, I soon realized that I was not healthy at all. I kept getting injured. My diet had become junk to gain more muscle. That's when I turned to CrossFit. It wasn't just about being fit and competitive; it was about learning everything I could to help people become the best CrossFitters they could be. I am now coaching at CrossFit Fiend, taking over from the guy who initially trained me - Rob Groupe.
Coaching has helped me realize that proper health is more than physical appearance or societal standards. It's about feeling proud of who I am, what I do, and where I'm headed. Through this journey, I've found love, made lifelong friends, and gained a sense of peace. CrossFit has allowed me to compete, support others, and positively impact my community. I'm excited to share my journey and inspire you to become the healthiest version of yourself.
So here is what health is to me
Fitness
Diet
Friendships
Relationship
Focus
Sleep
Hydration
Growth
Learning
Peace
Service
Fitness
CrossFit is more than just a workout routine or a fad. It's a way of life that emphasizes the importance of both physical fitness and mental wellness. CrossFit workouts are designed to challenge individuals at all fitness levels and to promote functional movements that translate into everyday activities. The community aspect of CrossFit is also a huge component, with members supporting and pushing each other to reach their personal goals. Incorporating CrossFit into your lifestyle can improve overall health and well-being while building meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.
Diet
After trying different approaches to healthy eating, sticking to a specific meal plan works best for me. I enjoy three eggs, two turkey sausage patties, and a carb-balance tortilla for breakfast. At lunch, I have chicken and air-fried potatoes, and for dinner, I enjoy steak with beans and rice. I've also found that allowing myself a small indulgence, such as popcorn, satisfies my cravings without completely derailing my healthy eating habits. One of the critical components of my diet is my rule of no more than one day of unhealthy eating in a row. By sticking to this rule, I hold myself accountable for my choices and can stay on track with my health goals. This approach works best for me through trial and error, and I am excited to continue my journey toward becoming the healthiest version of myself.
Friendship
Having good friends is crucial to achieving overall health and wellness. Good friends can help us develop healthy habits and hold us accountable when needed. Surrounding ourselves with positive, supportive people can also significantly impact our mental health. In the context of CrossFit, having a coach who genuinely cares about you can be an essential part of building a healthy lifestyle. A coach invested in your well-being can provide guidance, support, and motivation to help you reach your fitness goals. At the same time, CrossFit's community aspect is an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar goals and values. Through these connections, we can develop lifelong friendships that support our journey toward becoming the healthiest version of ourselves.
Relationship
Strong and positive relationships are crucial to overall health and wellness. When we surround ourselves with people who love and support us, we are more likely to feel motivated and inspired to be our best selves. A good partner or friend can push us to reach our goals and hold us accountable when needed. They listen when we need an ear, offer advice when we're struggling, and celebrate our successes. Love is also an essential part of overall health. Feeling loved and supported makes us more likely to experience positive emotions, reduce stress, and improve our mental health. In short, having solid relationships is essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life.
Focus
Maintaining focus is an essential component of overall health and wellness. By practicing meditation and mindfulness, we can learn to focus on tasks and make work easier while increasing productivity. Focusing on our breath through mindfulness can also bring us into the present moment, helping us release stress and worries about the past and future. The present is where we have the most control, and by focusing our attention on the present moment, we can improve our mental health and reduce anxiety. Focusing on our goals and how to achieve them rather than the obstacles in our way increases our chances of success. We can also learn from our failures and use them as opportunities for growth. However, excessive use of social media and staring at our phones can be detrimental to our mental health and distract us from our goals. We can improve our overall health and well-being by prioritizing focus and reducing distractions.
Sleep
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. With enough sleep, we can make the right choices to maintain our health and fitness goals. Getting sufficient sleep is also crucial for our body to recover and prepare for the next day's activities, especially for those who engage in regular workouts. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is the best way to set ourselves up for success. By establishing a consistent sleep schedule, we can train our bodies to know when it's time to rest and when it's time to wake up. This will make waking up much more pleasant than a snoozing alarm, which can be disruptive and cause stress. Additionally, a regular sleep schedule can improve the quality of our sleep and reduce the risk of sleep-related disorders. By prioritizing sleep, we can improve our overall health and well-being, reduce stress, and increase our chances of success in achieving our goals.
Hydration
Hydration is crucial for our bodies to function correctly, and adding salt to our water can help us achieve optimal hydration levels. Salt helps our bodies retain fluids and prevents dehydration. However, it's important to remember that moderation is vital, and we should not overdo it with salt intake. Drinking water with a pinch of salt can be especially beneficial during hot weather or after a workout when we tend to lose more fluids through sweating. We can improve our overall health and well-being by staying adequately hydrated with some salt in our water.
Growth
A growth mindset is essential for success in any area of our lives. By embracing the belief that we can learn, grow, and improve, we can overcome obstacles and see opportunities where others see challenges. With a growth mindset, we focus on the path ahead and the steps we need to take to get there rather than getting stuck on the obstacles that may come our way. We understand that growth involves learning and failing forward, and we are not afraid to make mistakes or ask for help when needed. A growth mindset also requires humility, acknowledging there is always more to learn and room for improvement. While growth may require hard work and effort, the rewards are worth it. We can achieve our goals and reach our full potential with a growth mindset.
Learning
Learning is essential to overall health, allowing us to grow, improve, and achieve our goals. When we are passionate about what we do and have a clear mission in life, we are more likely to be motivated to learn and develop new skills. Learning helps us feel more confident, proud, and fulfilled. By continuously seeking new knowledge and experiences, we can expand our horizons and find new ways to grow and improve. This learning and growth process can also positively impact our mental health, reducing stress and anxiety and promoting feelings of happiness and fulfillment. Whether learning a new skill, pursuing a new hobby, or simply seeking to understand the world, learning is integral to our overall health and well-being.
Peace
Finding peace is essential to overall health, as it helps us achieve a sense of balance and well-being in our lives. While we may experience various emotions, from joy to sadness to anger, finding peace allows us to navigate these emotions healthily. Rather than getting caught up in the ups and downs of our emotions, we can find comfort in the things we can control and accept the things we cannot. This lets us approach life calmly and clearly, even when facing challenges or uncertainty. By cultivating peace, we can reduce stress, improve our mental health, and achieve greater well-being. With the wisdom to know which things we can control and which we cannot, we can find balance and fulfillment in our lives.
Service
Service is a critical component of overall health. Giving back to others can bring us pure joy and a sense of purpose. Volunteering or helping others in need can improve our mental health and well-being. When we help others, we shift our focus from our problems to the needs of others, which can be empowering and fulfilling. Service also provides opportunities to connect with others who share similar values and goals, which can lead to meaningful friendships and a sense of community. Finding ways to give back can be as simple as volunteering at a local shelter or donating to a charity. Whatever it may be, service is a powerful way to improve our overall health and well-being while positively impacting the lives of others.
Planning for the future is always important, but we must also remember to focus on the present moment and our power to make a difference right now. Let us embark on a journey towards serving others and positively impacting the world. Remember that small changes can make a big difference and that the journey towards health is a marathon, not a sprint. In two weeks, we will continue my health journey, which is now beginning. I hope you have found the inspiration you need to start your journey towards leading a healthier, happier life. I aim to help as many people as possible to be healthy, and I hope you will join me in this mission. Until then, stay healthy and spread love and kindness wherever you go. Happiness.
Stay Rad!
Richard