Protect your sleep!

The number one most important thing to do when you are trying to get fit, in my opinion, is to protect your sleep!!! Identify your magic number. Mine is seven hours! Several things to consider when you are trying to get the best night's sleep possible:

1. When and how many cups of coffee/caffeine you drink during the day
2. When and how many alcoholic beverages you drink during the day
3. What and when you eat at dinner and the rest of the evening
4. What types of media do you expose yourself to in the evening

Getting the proper number of hours will affect the decisions you make the next day. When sleep deprived, you may subconsciously compensate with food to gain more energy. Your workouts are undoubtedly going to be less effective. You won't have the "attack" mentality you need to focus on achieving your goals. Tempted to get that last load of laundry done or get the kitchen clean? Just think how much speedier you are going to be the next day at finishing these daily tasks if you are getting sufficient sleep.

As with anything in life, it takes discipline to get the results you want. Now obviously, you have to consider your family and relationships in conjunction with this! Last night I tried to go to bed at 9:00 PM but was kept awake by the rip-roaring good time my husband and kids were having playing "Hedbanz". I got out of bed to participate in the fun...still not bad getting to bed at 10:00. You catch my drift...shoot for the moon and land on the stars when it comes to time-management!