The No-Nonsense, No-Excuses Guide to a Kick-Ass Life

In the whirlwind of our modern lives, it is easy to succumb to the incessant demands and expectations of daily life. We are constantly inundated with external pressures to excel, achieve, and accumulate more- but more of what? Oftentimes, we accumulate more stress, more debt, more body fat, and more jealousy. We sometimes feel jealous of ourselves - of our past lives in high school, college, or another high point of life.

However, it is worth considering that the true path to happiness and well-being may lie in the opposite direction—in doing less.

If you're interested in trying minimalist fitness, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start small: Don't try to change everything at once. Instead, focus on making small changes that you can stick with over time.

  • Lab Rat Example: In 2018 I changed just 1 diet item per year (e.g. no red meat). Getting used to that took a while, and by 2019 I was ready to make another change: no animal products.

• Find activities you enjoy: Exercise should be something you look forward to, not something you dread. So find activities that you enjoy, whether it's walking, running, swimming, or yoga.

  • In the admittedly tongue-in-cheek example of this Kenny Powers quote lies a powerful lesson: "I play real sports- I'm not trying to be the best at exercising." I became driven and successful when I could envision every workout & healthy choice leading me 1 step closer to my dream outcome.

• Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. And remember what the eminent sleep scientist Dr. Matthew Walker said on the Joe Rogan Experience #1109 back in 2018: "Sedation is not Sleep."
  

Delicious vegan meal in Santiago, Chile

Minimalist fitness is not about doing less, it's about doing more with less. It's about focusing on the things that truly matter and letting go of the rest. By simplifying your fitness routine, you can create a more sustainable and enjoyable approach to health and well-being.

This #LabReflection was discovered through years of learning and honing the mind & body. Ready to get started? The journey continues in our next Lab Reflection.