Endocrine Disruptors: What Are They? How Do I Avoid Them?

endocrine disruptors

You’re diligently staying hydrated, which is fantastic! But now it’s time to step it up a notch and ditch the plastic bottles…and the lurking endocrine disruptors they bring along.

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors, whether they occur naturally or are human-made substances, intrude upon our body’s endocrine system. Since this system governs hormone and cell signaling, it can potentially lead to detrimental developmental, neurological, immune, and reproductive consequences.

Maybe you’ve heard of the term BPA before? Bisphenol A is notorious for tampering with hormones and mimicking estrogen’s effects in the body, inducing hormonal imbalances. BPA has been associated with a litany of health issues, including insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, liver damage, ADHD, infertility in both men and women, and altered gene expression.

But here’s the kicker: Being BPA-free doesn’t guarantee safety from plastic’s health hazards.

A study published in Environmental Health indicates that almost all plastics, including BPA- and phthalate-free products, release chemicals with estrogenic activity. Bisphenol S (BPS) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) are two chemicals often found in BPA-free products. Items containing these chemicals have been marketed as “safe” alternatives to BPA-containing plastics, but it turns out that BPS has endocrine-disrupting effects that are very similar to BPA, and TPP is even more estrogenic than BPA.

What Endocrine Disruptors Do?

Our endocrine system consists of glands that release hormones. Once released, those hormones act like chemical messenger that travel throughout our body, bind to target receptors on certain cells and cause predictable cellular change.

Endocrine disruptors imitate our natural hormones and end up binding to receptors, consequently altering hormone production, transport, binding, and breakdown. They are incredibly stable, resisting easy breakdown (which is why manufacturers use them in products), and they linger in our bodies for extended periods.

When our hormonal systems are altered, it can lead to disrupted metabolism, immune function, bone health, mental well-being, impaired testicular function, conversion of cholesterol to steroid hormones, oxidative stress, promotion of obesity, and more.

Where are endocrine disruptors found?

We’re exposed to a cocktail of endocrine disruptors every day, often without realizing it.

They lurk in our plastic bottles, possibly within your carpet, and most likely in your drugstore beauty products. They also infiltrate food packaging, shower curtains, cleaning supplies, children’s toys, canned food, and, yes, even BPA-free water bottles. In essence, we’re constantly bombarded by hormonal manipulators. They’re everywhere.

In fact, the CDC has found over 92% of people tested, including newborns, have detectable levels of BPA and other plastic chemicals in their bodies.

Yikes!

The good news? We can control most of our exposure.

Tips to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors

Research finds that BPA, phthalates and other plastics have harmful effects at both high and very low doses. Given the above evidence, I recommend trying to avoid all kinds of plastic, even ones labeled as BPA-free.

  1. Use glass and stainless steel whenever possible for drinking, cooking, eating and storing food.
  2. Never reheat your food in plastic containers or wash them in the dishwasher. Use glass.
  3. Don’t cook with plastic utensils. Instead opt for bamboo or wood.
  4. Use parchment paper or a lid from a pot to cover your food instead of plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
  5. Watch what you eat (avoid canned foods and choose organic when possible).
  6. Cook with cast iron instead of nonstick pans which can also hide endocrine disruptors.
  7. Use a stainless steel thermos to pack your kids lunches instead of plastic baggies.
  8. Don’t forget to say “no, thank you” to your receipt, as these have BPA coating as well.
  9. Take a look at your (and your kids) cosmetic and personal care products (sunscreens, lotions, make up, soap, etc). Avoid those that contain phthalates in the ingredients and find natural replacements.
  10. Choose wood or fabric toys for children instead of plastic.
  11. Swap out those plastic water bottles and shaker bottles for an insulated stainless steel or glass (just make sure you keep the lid clean from mold).

Choosing what we put into and on our bodies can have an enormous impact on our health.

What actions do you currently take to reduce plastic usage, and are there challenges you face in finding alternatives?

Take action, today… and every day.

Consider going plastic-free on your next water bottle purchase. But, remember: No matter what nutritional or lifestyle changes you’re here to make, you have to get better at making a change in the first place if you want those changes to stick.

One realistic step at a time. 

More on our Salus Nutrition Health Coaching Blog:

Taking Control of Cravings and Temptation

Do you usually give in to cravings, give up… or take control?

This post is not your typical advice about fighting off cravings. 

Sure, mindful eating, drinking more water, decreasing stress and avoiding the notorious feeling of being hangry will all help keep your cravings at bay (like that unplanned decision to grab pretzels from your kid’s snack pack).

Whether you just want to kick up your feet and relax with a glass of wine on the weekend or head out to taste-test Nicholas Creamery, let’s see what we can do to make it fit into your day.

Wait, what? You might be thinking…has Coach Angela gone crazy?

Nope.

What I’m talking about here is learning how to plan ahead to prevent going overboard. Celebrations, holidays, stressful occasions, etc.- they will always be there. Learn how to navigate through them rather than avoid them (and then spiral out of control). The right way.

Here’s the deal. You need to be strategic about it.

Most of us crave energy-dense foods such as chocolate and other high-caloric sweet and savory foods. Whatever it is for you, choose your guilty pleasure ahead of time- a drink, some ice cream, chips and guacamole, etc. It’s all about planning ahead and then staying in control, guilt-free.

Mind blown.

Look at this kind of like a test. A lot of feedback I hear from clients is that they feel uneasy, even scared, to “enter back into the real world” after a challenge.

Our goal is to set you up for success for life – to approach situations with confidence in making the healthiest decisions possible, and also to enjoy yourself in moderation. That being said, if you’re worried that a little will most likely turn into a lot, you might want to wait until you have built up more confidence over your choices, first.

Take Control of Cravings For Good

Whether you decide to implement these tips next weekend or next month, here’s how to stay in control in the face of temptation and cravings.

Decide In Advance-

Decide what food or drink you’d like to enjoy in advance. If you plan for your portioned out serving of dessert or a glass of vino, you’ll be less likely to cave in after a stressful week with an entire tub of Ben and Jerry’s…or the whole bottle of wine.

Pick one.

And take the time to thoroughly enjoy it. Without the side of guilt.

Control Portions-

Be sure to identify the serving size that you’re going to have ahead of time and stick to it. Visualize that one glass of wine or talk about sharing some decadent ice cream with your loved one.

This will help you to stay true to portion control and walk away feeling satisfied rather than stuffed.

Swap it Out-

Now, I know “moderation” requires willpower. Especially when you’re attempting to moderate food specifically designed by scientists to make you want to eat more now and crave more later. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to make the decision to completely avoid those foods that you know you can’t put the breaks on and instead find nutrient-dense alternatives that you enjoy.

Look at this not as deprivation, but as the smartest decision you could possibly make for a happier, healthier life.

Finding foods “that you enjoy” is key. Do some research on healthy swaps and discover whole foods that can replace unhealthier versions. For example, if you love chips and dip – experiment with baked plantain chips and homemade guacamole. Just remember to portion things out properly in advance.

Look for a Distraction-

If your cravings have been hijacked by the surge of dopamine that spikes every time you walk through the kitchen, look for a distraction like drinking a glass of water or calling a loved one. Too often we eat because we’re bored or simply in the habit, rather than physically hungry. To combat that, research shows that changing your habits by focusing on another task, like walking around the block, can help reset your mind and help keep uncontrollable cravings at bay.

Dig a Little Deeper

There’s a chance your cravings due to a strict deprivation. In fact, some studies show that a short-term, selective food deprivation can increase cravings for the avoided foods. But get this:

Dieting’s bad reputation for increasing food cravings is only partially true as the relationship between food restriction and craving is more complex. While short-term, selective deprivation may increase food cravings, long-term energy restriction seems to actually decrease food cravings. This suggests that food deprivation can also facilitate extinction of conditioned food craving responses.

How do you get there? Change your mindset.

You’ve heard me say it before — instead of saying: “I can’t have that.” Reframe your thought process and instead say, “I don’t want that.” Say that enough and you’ll start to believe it.

Ask Yourself

Is there something that you’ve been craving lately? Or an event coming up that’s going to be full of temptations?

How can you manage these feelings by using the tips and tricks mentioned above?

Control Cravings With a Healthy Mindset

A healthy lifestyle is about making the most nutrient dense choices you can but also maintaining a healthy mindset. It’s not about constant feelings of restriction or becoming a hermit to avoid social temptations. Stay balanced by understanding that you can have some (not all) of your favorite foods and be okay with that.

More on our Salus Nutrition Coaching Blog:

Want to Know the Secret to Meal Prep? Plan Ahead

You’ve set some goals, so now it’s time to get used to tracking your progress and learning how to plan ahead.

No matter your intention for joining the challenge. Setting goals and changing your way of life can be tough at the beginning. It’s it’s not uncommon for the initial reaction to feel a little overwhelmed about hitting each goal flawlessly. But remember, you want your goals to be risky, yet realistic.

Refer back to my previous post about striving for progress…not perfection.

If you’ve been eating a certain way for quite some time, the best thing you can do to set yourself up for success is to focus on one change at a time.

Planning ahead for meal prep is key to make this happen.

Plan Ahead for Meal Prep

With 101 things on your to-do list, meal prep can seem intimidating. How do you even get started? Meal prep doesn’t require complicated planning or tools – just a little time to get organized first. With a few hacks, you can gain control and help make cooking during the week way easier.

Start by scheduling.

Actually schedule time on your calendar to plan your meals for the week (or at least part of them), make the shopping list, go grocery shopping and meal prep. Go ahead, open your calendar and put those important reminders in now…

Make your grocery list.

After you figure out what your week looks like, make your grocery list. Be sure to stick to a store you’re used to and can navigate conveniently. This is not the time to venture out to a new grocery store.  Go prepared with your list and NOT on an empty stomach. Shop mostly along the perimeter, where the produce and meat aisles are located.

Or you can even get your groceries delivered. For example, if you have Amazon Prime and a Whole Foods nearby, you can order with ease and even save favorite items for easy cart adds.

You are in control.

Just remember: You are in control. You make the list; you choose to stick to it (don’t fall for those impulse items). Bring home only what you want in the house to keep temptations at bay.

You can definitely do it!

Make Ahead

Once you get home, start prepping and cooking (or schedule the day that you will do this). At the Salveo house, we usually meal prep Sundays and Wednesdays. Whip up a batch of protein — grill some salmon or several chicken breasts (or both) at once. Wash and chop veggies so they’re easy to grab for snacks or salad. Shave and cut up sweet potatoes, batch cook brown rice…You get the idea.

Or consider a regular healthy meal delivery service like Fit Food NJ. Even one meal during your busiest day might be worth it, and could mean the difference between a nutrient-dense, delicious meal and a regrettable fast-food run. (Save 10% with code: Salus)

Store Safely

Use quality food storage containers to keep prepared food safe. Stainless steel containers and glassware are the safest solutions. I recommend avoiding reusable plastic containers whenever possible. But, if you do use plastic, at least keep it out of the microwave.


Bonus Benefits

It’s so much easier to focus on healthy ingredients, control portions, and avoid those mid-week slumps when ordering a large pizza sounds so much easier than whipping up something fresh.

Ready to set things up this week so you can’t fail? Even an hour can set you up for success.

The name of the game is:

Anticipate. Plan. Strategize.

————–

Check out some of our most popular Salus Nutrition posts:

When Should You Choose Organic?

when to go organic

If You Choose Organic, Does That Mean It’s Healthy?

“Organic” always means “healthy,” right? Well, sometimes. Choose organic foods and you’ll avoid a lot of toxic chemicals, which is ideal… but think twice before you rely on the “organic” label just to justify that organic pastry or lollipop for your kids.when to go organic

What separates conventional farming from the organic way?

The National Organic Program, a regulatory program within the USDA has established national standards for organically grown foods. To earn the label of “organic” in the U.S., farmers must adhere to certain standards such as: submit to audits conducted by accredited certifying agents, give animals access to the outdoors, make use of crop rotation, mechanical tillage, hand-weeding and other management methods to control weed growth. They must NOT: treat animals with antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal byproducts, fertilize with sewage sludge, apply prohibited substances to their land for at least three years prior to harvest.

Simply stated, organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones. “Organic” does not necessarily mean animals are humanely treated, free to roam pastures or grass-fed. And it is not synonymous with healthy, low-sugar or unprocessed food…but, that’s what marketers want you to believe. You know, so they can charge you more. Confused yet?

Be a smart consumer. Here is the organic label lingo to become aware of:

Organic Labels

Many people get caught up on trick labels like “healthy,” “fresh,” “natural.” It’s easy to get confused. Always check the ingredient list and the nutrition-facts panel to see what’s really in your product. If you can pronounce the ingredients, you won’t need a chemistry degree to decipher the label.

  • “100% organic”: This product must contain 100% organic ingredients.
  • “Organic”: This product must have at least 95% ingredients organically produced.
  • “Made with Organic ingredients”: This product must have at least 70% organic ingredients.

 

Choose Organic with the Dirty Dozen

Each year, the Environmental Working Group identifies the fruits and vegetables that contain the most—and least—chemical pesticides. They call them the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen.” The ”dirty dozen” list is a good place to start going organic.

  1. Strawberries (these are the worst offenders hording the most pesticide residues)
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Cherries
  8. Peaches
  9. Pears
  10. Bell and hot peppers
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

NOTE: A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid genetically modified produce.

Even though it didn’t officially make the list (because it’s processed), the EWG also included a special report about raisins. EWG says that 99% of nearly 700 raisin samples tested positive for traces of at least two pesticides, and one sample had 26 different pesticides. “If we included raisins in our calculations, they would be number one on the Dirty Dozen,” said Thomas Galligan, Ph.D, a toxicologist for the EWG, in a press release. So, go organic with your raisins!

Clean 15

The Clean 15 list, on the other hand, includes produce that is least likely to be contaminated by pesticides. Almost 70% of these food samples had no pesticide residues whatsoever. You can typically go conventional with these fruits and vegetables.

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Eggplant
  8. Asparagus
  9. Broccoli
  10. Cabbage
  11. Kiwi
  12. Cauliflower
  13. Mushrooms
  14. Honeydew melon
  15. Cantaloupes

Keep in mind, organic foods can cost up to 50% more than conventional products, so do your research first and choose wisely.

Do Your Research

Is there a trick label that often confuses you? Take a moment to look it up, define it and share it.

But, I know, Google can be equally confusing. Here are a couple more reputable sources to consider for your own research:

 

More on our Salus Nutrition Coaching Blog:

Set Real Expectations

So, you’re motivated to make some changes and you’re willing to do anything you possibly can to achieve these goals. I would love nothing more! But, anytime you start a journey to make a lifestyle change, it can be tough. You can expect some bumps along the way which is why it’s important to set real expectations. For the long run.

Hey, I’m not perfect, you’re not perfect… and no one expects us to be. Because they’re not perfect either.

Set Real Expectations in the Face of Challenges

Sustainable change is all about learning how to set real expectations in the face of life’s challenges. If there’s one thing you can expect in life, it’s that things will always come up: parties, birthdays, anniversaries, life-altering events, stress, work, travel, sickness…COVID-19. Challenges will always be there whether we like it or not.

Don’t run from challenges. Anticipate them.

Challenges are part of life and unique opportunities for learning more about ourselves.

Research shows that while our behaviors may seem “spur-of-the-moment,” when it comes to over-eating, for example, the groundwork is laid several hours, days, months…years, in advance by our daily rituals, habits, mindset and automatic thinking. Your actions in the face of a challenge are simply the last link in a long chain of decisions.

The goal of today is all about recognizing your actions in the face of a challenge:

  • What is the root cause of those actions?
  • How can you learn from those events?
  • … and most importantly, How can you move forward?

According to James P. Leahy, author of Bridging the Expectation Gap: The Key to Happiness, unrealistic expectations create an expectation gap which leads to unhappiness and feelings of failure.

If you’re in this for instant gratification, don’t expect your changes to last. On the other hand, if you’re in this to embrace life-long, healthy habits that you can learn from, you can expect some amazing things to happen now, next month and even more the following year at your annual physical. That’s why if you make a mistake, it’s important to be nice to yourself.

Don’t let one mistake derail an entire day or a whole week.

Set Yourself Up For Success with Real Expectations

Expectations have an enormous effect on our outcome, energy, drive.

In fact, multiple studies show that the way we manage our expectations can heavily influence our ability to experience happiness in life, work and even health outcomes.

When life gets crazy and you end up making a mistake, the one thing that you can control is how you RESPOND in that moment. Remember, you are in charge of your own actions, choices and reactions, regardless of any circumstance.

Letting emotions control you is the easy way out. It’s easier to do (or say) things in the heat of the moment… that you may regret down the line.

But, it takes internal strength to pause, breathe, and make a sound decision by staying calm under pressure. And that starts with setting realistic expectations for yourself in the face of a challenge. 

“When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~Viktor Frankl

Rather than focusing on perfection, anticipate challenges to occur and then pour all of your energy into simply committing to doing your very best every day with the hand you are dealt.

Common Mistakes and Their Fixes

Here are a few common mistakes many people struggle with and their common “fix.”

The Mistake:

You deter from your normal way of eating and indulge in something outside of the norm, feel guilty and then proceed to eat everything in sight.

The Fix:

Remind yourself that slipping up a little is not the same as slipping up a lot. Own up to your choices and move forward.

The Mistake:

Eating portion sizes like a 5 year old during the day and then binging at night.

The Fix:

Of course you feel ravenous. ⁣
Of course you feel hangry.⁣
Of course you feel out of control.⁣

Your body is trying to do everything it can to signal to you that it needs to fuel itself.⁣ Instead, by eating balanced meals full of animal protein, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds throughout the day– you will reap the benefits of feeling satiated, full of energy, sleeping sound & through the night, and saying ‘goodbye’ to feeling ravenous late at night.⁣

The Mistake:

Waiting until 9pm to realize you still have 1,000 mL of water to drink.

The Fix:

Plan. Ahead. Do the math based on how much water you need and spread it out throughout your day. Rubber bands on water bottles, water app, giant jug…whatever set up works best for you, embrace it and just be ok with the fact that you’re going to probably be going to the bathroom a lot more than you were before. Just don’t let it interrupt your sleep by waiting until night to chug a liter.

Set Real World Expectations

For the next few weeks, focus on making deliberate choices that reflect reality.

There is so much outside of our control.

Focus on what you can actually control and let go of the things you can’t. Set real expectations for yourself, expect challenges to be there and use them to grow stronger.

Ask yourself these two questions:

What’s one thing that I can expect to get in the way of achieving my goals?

And what can I do today to help me keep going when I face that specific obstacle?

To learn more about making important improvements to your nutrition and exercise program, give us a shout at info@crossfitsalus.com.

 

Sleeping Tips That (Actually) Work

Most of us know how important sleep is for our health. But do you know how important it really is for our digestion, thinking, performance…even body composition…oh yea, and our sanity? But we get it, even if you read all the sleeping tips in the world, the moment your head hits the pillow, you just can’t seem to fall asleep.

You’re not alone.

Want to Perform Better, Feel Happier, and Lean Out? You guessed it: SLEEP MORE!

Find out why getting your Zzz’s is so important and some quick and easy sleeping tips to help you fall asleep…and stay asleep.

Sleep, Your Most Powerful (and Legal) Performance Enhancer

If your nutrition and training are on point, but you still don’t perform or look the way you want, poor sleep habits may be to blame. You better believe it, sleep is the most powerful recovery aid out there. And it’s legal.

In fact, research even shows that physical and mental impairments caused by one night of bad sleep can dwarf those caused by an equivalent absence of food or exercise. And those who sleep less than 6 hours per night (or, surprisingly, more than 9 hours) gain almost twice as much weight over a 6-year period as those who sleep 7 to 8 hours per night.

Not surprisingly, more than ⅓ of adults get fewer than the amount of sleep they need to keep their risk of health problems in check. So, what’s that magical baseline number?

Our recommendation is for adults to get 7 hours of sleep a night- minimum. That’s 7 hours asleep – not seven hours in bed. You need more (eight or more) if you’re training hard in the gym or sick.

Sleep and Body Composition

If your goal is to perform better, feel happier and lean out, take a look at your sleep habits. 

When you’re more rested, you’ll be more successful if your goal is to stay lean and recover better (so you can perform stronger).  On the other hand, poor sleep habits drain our energy (and our mojo) and even screw up the regulation of our hormones.

Plus, if we don’t sleep enough, our bodies will start to look for energy elsewhere, oftentimes resulting in junk food cravings and over eating. It’s no coincidence that we’re hungrier when we’re tired. That’s because those hunger-regulating hormones that tell us to eat more, go up (ghrelin) and the precious ones that tell us when we’ve had enough, go down (leptin).

A lack of sleep also alters the activity of our hypothalamus, resulting in increased cortisol. Higher cortisol levels have been shown to increase appetite in some people, and can even increase fat storage.

There’s no question that a lack of sleep causes havoc in your body.

Research shows that sleep deprivation can create insulin resistance and reduce insulin sensitivity in subcutaneous fat cells, which play a key role in energy metabolism and balance.

In other words, develop good sleep habits to help your body and mind recover. In turn, it will help us in our efforts to stay lean, perform stronger, stay happy, focus longer and stay healthy.

Sleeping Tips that Work

The good news is that research shows that returning to adequate sleep (7+ hours) can quickly reduce any of the above risks.

So how do we go about getting that performance-enhancing, mojo-regenerating, energy-filling shut-eye?

Try one of these quick sleeping tips tonight!

1. Create Your Own Wind Down for Sleep Routine

We need time to transition from the day to the night. This will be how you prepare your body and mind for rest and recovery. Your routine should allow you to put a book-end on the current day, prepare you for the next day, and get you ready for bed.

Create environmental cues to help you wind down and de-stress at night. Check out some examples below.

  • Set an alarm for 8pm to cue the start of your “Wind Down Routine.”
  • Take the dog on a quick walk, stretch, roll, or take a bath.
  • Go to the kitchen and set up the coffee pot for next morning, prep breakfast, travel mug and shaker bottle.
  • Put the clothing you’ll wear to the gym the next day in the bathroom, and set your packed gym bag by the front door.
  • Then take your night time supplements, brush & floss your teeth, wash your face, and go to the bathroom.
  • Thirty minutes before it’s sleep-time, get in bed, plug in the phone, and set your alarm for tomorrow (no more phone usage after this). Sleep 101: How do cell phones mess with sleep?
  • Lastly, read a book or if you can’t quiet your mind, meditate or write in your journal. Oftentimes people overthink journaling. This journal doesn’t have to be organized, it can be a brain dump of all of the things that you’re thinking about; things you need to do tomorrow, or anything else that comes to mind. Do any of these, or all until you feel like falling asleep.

We know that getting more sleep can be a challenge. We’re asking you to start small, 15-30 more minutes each night can create huge benefits to your health, body composition, and performance.

2. Be Consistent with Your Sleep Schedule

Whenever possible, aim to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day/night. I know that’s tough for those with a strong social-game or those with young kids, but the more consistent you are, the more your body will naturally release those calming hormones before your head hits the pillow making that whole falling-asleep process much easier.

Plus, a schedule helps to stimulate those necessary hormones that help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to attack the day.

3. Moderate Caffeine and Alcohol Intake

Even though a nightcap may sound relaxing, consuming more than 1-2 drinks at night will interfere with deep, restorative sleep. Same goes for caffeine after 2 p.m.

4. Eat Properly

Eating too large of a meal right before you hit the sack can interfere your ability to fall and stay asleep. Your best bet? Eat a balance of protein, carbs and fats and walk away from your plate feeling satisfied, not stuffed, at dinner. Oh, and steer clear of those heavy late night mindless snacks.

5. Stop Bugging Out

We’ve all been there, your brain is wired and running through all the unchecked to-do’s on your list. The more you think about the fact that you cannot fall asleep, the more you lay there staring at the clock. Instead, grab a paper or create a voice-to-text note to write out whatever’s bugging you out. Dump whatever’s on your mind so you can finally relax.

6. Turn Off Electronics

Your phone, your computer, your TV: turn them off at least 30 minutes before bedtime. The light from a digital device stimulates our brain and interferes with melatonin production making it harder for us to fall asleep and, you guessed it, stay asleep. Plus, the endless scrolling does nothing but stimulate your brain, emotions and energy (the complete opposite of what we want before bed).

7. Set a Bedtime Alarm

Seriously, set yourself an alarm to turn off your devices and start unwinding. Then, set another reminder alarm to head to bed. This will help to snap you out of whatever social channel you’re scrolling through and put the focus back on you, your pillow, and your health.

8. Make the Room Dark and Cool

A dark room will help you to maximize melatonin production and helps to entrench your circadian rhythm so you get sleepy on time. So, close the blinds, unplug the hallway night light and flip your smartphone screen face down. Sleeping in this level of darkness will mean that you wake up more refreshed and rested than you ever have.

Additionally, research shows that most of us sleep better when it’s cool (about 62-67 F). Set the thermostat to automatically drop a few degrees after bedtime.

Bottom Line

It’s time to get real about the health risks of poor sleep.

Give one of the above sleeping tips a try tonight and start working your way to those 7+ hours of sleep.  When you do, you’ll find that you can ward off stress easier, keep illnesses away, maximize performance & recovery and keep your mojo alive, too!

How do you wind down after a busy day? What’s your favorite pre-sleep hack?

Check out our series on sleep for more information:

Want more health and fitness tips? Check out our recent posts:

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Looking for Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu Season?
Importance of Staying Hydrated
Bar Muscle-Up Progressions
Olympic Weightlifting in NJ: Some Basics
Is Sugar Bad?
Mobility for CrossFit: Why You Need to Do It
What to Expect During Your First CrossFit Class

Changing Habits

 

Changing Habits With Success

Changing habits, like changing a training program, comes with a natural ebb and flow. One day you’re making tremendous progress and the next day you feel like you’ve regressed. It’s an normal (and important) part of the process.

It’s normal, but it’s not easy.

I get it, finding a steady rhythm of consistency to change your habits and food choices can be challenging. But thankfully there are a couple proven ways that you can set yourself up for success: choosing your battles and staying focused on your goals in as many ways possible!

Changing Habits Against the Odds

Working on changing your habits?

Here are 2 quick tips to help you navigate the lows and come out on top.

1. Choose your battles.

You don’t always have to fight the lows.
Be smart and instead, change the timing of your highs.
For example, it’s 10:00 pm and you still have an hour of work to do (and mobility…and have to get up early for your kid’s soccer game). You sink into the couch, open your laptop and the eyelids start to flutter immediately. Your first instinct may be to fight through the fatigue with less than stellar focus, nodding your head a few times before giving in to the pillow… But this time, try a new approach. Close the laptop, hit your 10 minutes of mobility then go to bed so you get your 7 hours (or even 6) of quality sleep. Set your alarm 20-30 minutes earlier and knock out that work you had to do with a fresh mind.

2. Write down your goals, post them close by and remind yourself of them often.

Keep them eye level at your desk reminding you to drink water, on your mirror reminding you to attack your goals, on the refrigerator reminding you to eat more greens or even on the TV to remind you to stretch.
Because, that exact moment you’re on a downward trend, that little post-it written in your own handwriting will remind yourself of those important goals and help you keep plugging away. And during those awesome moments when you’re on the upward trend, having your goals front-of-mind will help to channel your energy in the right direction.
Success!

Changing Habits is Tough – We’re only human after all.

Some days you’ll be able to make it to the box on time, smash out a productive day of work, cook a clean meal, fit in the time for your family and get to bed on time.
Other days, your day feels like it drags on forever and the only thing you can imagine doing is watching Netflix.

Like everything else in life, goals come with its ups and downs. You can’t escape them. But you can learn how to navigate through.

Ask Yourself

What has been the most significant change you’ve made toward your goals recently and what can you to to increase your confidence that you’ll be able to carry them over with you through life?

Making those connections is key to your long-term success. Good luck working on your goals! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions along the way.

More on our Salus Nutrition Coaching Blog:

Strive for Progress Not Perfection

I challenge you to strive for progress not perfection.

Focus on making an improvement, growing, learning, understanding more about your body, but allow room for imperfection. Just a little wiggle room.

In other words, set the bar high, but be nice to YOU.

Salus Nutrition is about building a new awareness of how certain habits can directly impact your energy, mood, performance, sleep and more. I also want to help you improve your relationship with food and get you working towards the body and mind you’ve always wanted – all while connecting and engaging with the people and activities that make you most happy!

Sure, every day will be filled with obstacles and lots of learning about your own body, but you don’t need to go through it alone. Head to our private Facebook Page – and join the conversation!

Holistic Change

It’s about creating new holistic habits, so in order to make a real sustainable change we need to dig a little deeper than the food we put on our plate. The following questions will help guide you through this challenge. I encourage you to write the answers down in a journal, and consider talking about them with a friend to help you stay accountable. What you choose to do with your answers is up to you!

I realize some of the “mindfulness” parts of this program may make you feel a little uncomfortable. Remember that at the beginning of every great change is a bit of discomfort. I challenge you to test the boundaries of your comfort zone.

You will start to learn more about yourself than ever before which will directly contribute to your success.

Where are you now? What does 3 months from now look like?

Day 1 is all about defining your journey and setting an intention for yourself.

Ask yourself these 5 questions, and let’s get started. Find a quiet place (if you’re a parent, I suggest locking yourself in the bathroom – just kidding – or am I LOL), bring your pen, journal or if you prefer…voice to text. And come with an open mind.

  1. What is my “why”? Write down the key motivating factors for starting your journey.
  2. What are my main priorities coming out of this challenge? Where do I want to be?
  3. Does my current lifestyle reflect and support my main motivations, purpose, and priorities? If not, start this journey with a commitment to change that, now!
  4. What does the end of this challenge look like and feel like? Be as descriptive as possible and include things like the activities you will be doing, the outfits you will wear, the emotions you will feel, the energy levels you will have, the people that will be around you.
  5. What are 3 things I will adhere to on this journey that are not negotiable. For example:
    “I will sleep a minimum of 7 hours a day.” or  “I will eat a balanced-out portion breakfast every day.”
    Post this list somewhere that you can view it every day.

Progress Not Perfection

Before you begin this journey to a happier and healthier you I want you to keep this one thing in mind – strive for progress not perfection.

Remember that this is a journey of self-improvement and it does not define you. If you finish the day with less than perfect points, guess what? You’re human. If you made one improvement in your lifestyle today, that’s a WIN! Celebrate that and strive to make one more change tomorrow.

Remember, when you act from a place of “progress” (one improvement – one step at a time), you will be much more likely to succeed in the long run (after the challenge is over…that’s the point of this, right?).

Any questions? Shoot them my way. I’m always happy to help…seriously. Don’t hesitate! Email me at info@salusnj.com

Let’s get this party started!

Personal Improvement

Setting Personal Improvement Goals

So, you’ve set some personal improvement goals outside of work. You’re most likely learning a lot about what is most important to you, managing your time a little better and creating new habits for lasting change. How do you keep that momentum going strong in the face of ups and downs?

It’s true, goals take patience and persistence, but without them we tend to get caught up in the inessentials and give our precious time and energy to activities, that in reality, don’t necessarily further our long-term growth. Personal improvement goals not only keep you motivated, but they help you grow in other areas of your life as well making a positive impact on stress, strengthening social relationships and improving health, too.

Here’s how to keep personal improvement goals a part of your life long after the initial excitement fades out.

Setting Personal Improvement Goals… for Life

Line Up Personal Improvement Goals With Values

Personal improvement means different things to different people but can encompass anything from spirituality to charitable work to expanding your knowledge.

We all have a set a values which are a vital part of who we are. For some, helping people is something they strongly value, for others it may be that solving problems makes them feel alive. Whatever it is that you value in life, it’s important that your goals are aligned. This will also help you to identify anything that’s holding you back along the way.

Prioritize Health

Taking care of your health (nutrition, exercise, sleep, rest and recovery, etc) can make a huge impact on your energy and the success of your personal improvement goals. If health is compromised, for example, you’re sleep deprived, stressed or hangry, it’s far more difficult to focus on anything else.

Surround Yourself with Support

Everything is easier when you have a friend or family to help you along the way. Lean on the momentum of a supportive influencer who can cheer you on when you experience a win and help you stand up when you fall. Tell them about your goals so they can help you stay accountable. And remember to be this kind of person for others, too.

Keep Pursuing Goals

Self improvement takes focus, time and energy, especially if you experience ups and downs along the way (which you probably will). Remind yourself to take small, solid steps and that slip-ups are just a part of the process. Learn from them.

Whether your goals are to learn a new language, take time to read daily, go for a bike ride in the woods or simply spend a few moments of time alone to clear your mind, here are a few other apps to help you stay on track with your goals: HabitBull, Time Planner, Strides, Habit Streak, and even Google.

Ask Yourself

What goals personal improvement goals are you currently working towards and what do you intend to pursue next?

“It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.” -Tony Robbins

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