When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade
Really, though — how do you adjust and strategize to stay “in the game” when you are handed a different set of cards than you were prepared for? Many times, when we encounter “mountains,” it is easy to knock us out of the game. It is easy to start skipping meals, missing our supplements, skipping our appointments, relying on fast food, turning to alcohol or sugar in the evening to help us cope with our emotions, and miss our exercise regimen. One day is off of the routine, and we tell ourselves it is just one day and we will get back to it tomorrow or “Monday,” then that one day turns into weeks and months. Sound familiar? How do we prevent that slippery slope? Let’s talk about The Berman Method Three Tips to keeping yourself in the game when life throws a curveball or the schedule goes out the window. Quickly, I will tell you the last several months in the Berman house have been totally different from what we knew as normal. None of the “totally different” has been bad; although, if we don’t recognize the changes occurring, we could easily slip into a less healthy lifestyle with the pace of change. As you know, we welcomed Walker Ryan to our already crazy family in November — then went through the holiday season directly after. With an almost 5-year-old who has great leadership skills (if you know what I mean), an almost 2-year-old who is very strong-willed, and now a newborn, our house is very loud and a little chaotic. With a lack of sleep, a very busy schedule at Berman Health and Wellness and Berman Physical Therapy, sports, and little people’s attitudes, we could have easily succumbed to the chaos. We easily could have relied on fast-food options, sugar, alcohol, and skipping exercise. The problem with letting this mindset set in for a few weeks is that a few weeks often turns into months. Instead, we have to keep in mind The Berman Method Three Tips, which will help us stay at least somewhat equalized through crazy times. 1. Carry Protein Snacks With You — Put them in the car, in your purse or murse, at your cousin’s house, in your
beach bag, or wherever you are. It is very likely with all the events going on and the “upside down” feeling you are going through that you will not have a set schedule. Try to maintain protein intake every 2–3 hours. Protein will fuel your cells and your brain, help with your energy and sleep, maintain muscle mass, and stimulate your metabolism. When you have your meal times, focus on your proteins and vegetables. 2. Move for 20 Minutes — Take 20 minutes to yourself first thing in the morning before the craziness of the day sets in to move your body. This can be a 20-minute walk while responding to emails, 20 minutes on the bike while planning out your schedule for the day, 20 minutes of lifting weights one arm at a time while the baby is in the opposite arm … whatever it is, move your body for 20 minutes every morning. Not only is this helping with muscle mass and caloric burn, but it is also releasing endorphins and serotonin — your UPPER hormones to help with your mood, anxiety, and depression. There are MANY other positives to this … but these are important. 3. HYDRATE — Drink 80–100 ounces of water per day, generally speaking (differs for individuals). Hydrating is extremely important to help control cravings, hunger, mood, muscle cramps, bowel movements, METABOLISM (fat burning), sleep, and the immune system. Carry your water cup or water bottle around with you. Put a straw in your cup. Focus on your WATER intake, especially if more sugar or alcohol is involved. Maintaining these three things will definitely help you to get back into the game quicker when life starts to settle down! Never Ever Ever Ever Give Up! P.S. The Berman Family is smitten and 100% back in the game and into a wonderful routine! –Jenni Berman PA-C, ABAAHP, CPT, CNS
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