Hello and welcome to 4-Minute Friday where I share, in four minutes or less, the latest things I’m doing to enhance my health, save money, and make day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable.
All comments and follow-up questions can be posted directly below, on my Facebook page or emailed to me at zach.griffith1@gmail.com!
Reminder that I’m running a giveaway for Barbell Apparel! If you purchase ANYTHING from the Barbell Apparel website by March 1st through my link, you will be placed in a raffle to win a $50 gift card to the site. Please send me a receipt of purchase to enter!
Aside from giving yourself the chance to win a gift card, it would greatly support me and my endeavors with HIB!
Reach out if you have any questions on their gear or sizing – I’m happy to help!
Mindset I’m Embracing: ‘Not’ The New Normal
A thought-provoking quote by renowned author Mark Manson recently struck a chord with me. It reads…
“Statistically speaking, a ‘normal person’ is physically unhealthy, emotionally anxious/depressed, socially lonely, and financially in debt. Frick being normal.”
I may have changed a word in the quote but I’ll let your imagination decide which one.
Too many of us, myself included, get stuck in the trap of trying to be like everyone else. But as Manson points out, what if being like everyone else (i.e., normal) isn’t such a good metric to strive for in today’s age?
We obviously all know that being physically unhealthy, in debt, and lonely aren’t too lofty of goals. If you have those on your whiteboard, I suggest revisiting them.
However, we do often strive to conform in other areas whether that be the things we watch, how we dress, or the activities we engage in.
Would it really be such a bad thing if you couldn’t chime in on the reality TV drama or the newest show on Netflix at your next dinner?
If you enjoy these shows and they bring you happiness, great. But if you’re just watching because ‘everyone else’ is… that decision might need some extra thought.
A topic that’s been discussed progressively more often in the podcast stratosphere is the importance of discovering what makes you unique and finding ways to leverage those attributes.
Each of us are an n=1… which is exciting. Not a single person out there is the same as you or me and can offer exactly what we can.
In the end, the word exceptional is literally defined as ‘not typical’. Don’t conform to what you see around you, aim to be exceptional in a way that aligns with your values and interests.
By definition, you can’t be normal and exceptional at the same time.
If you needed justification to be yourself, there it is.
Shoe-Cleaning Hack: Spray, Scrub, Wash
We all know that terrible feeling when those new kicks start to look more aged than they really are. Especially in the winter months, lighter color shoes turn gray awfully quick with the snow, sludge, and salt on walking paths.
Instead of turning dirtied shoes into a backup pair or even worse, throwing them out, use this simple cleaning hack that will make them look like they’re fresh out of the box.
It goes as follows:
Use a brush to knock any loose dirt free.
Spray the outer part of the shoes with a laundry stain remover such as Shout. Let them soak for 15-30 minutes… preferably outside or in a laundry sink.
Using an old sponge/rag/soft brush and a small amount of dish soap in water, scrub the outer part of the shoes thoroughly.
Toss the shoes on a cold rinse cycle in the washer (laces can stay in) with a small amount of detergent.
Allow the shoes to air dry.
For a faster dry, tie the laces together and hang the shoes inside the dryer door so the laces are shut in the door at the top. Turn the dryer on as usual.
Enjoy your fresh looking (and smelling) pair of shoes!
It’s well-known that one of the first things people notice about someone is the shoes on their feet… don’t let a pair of dirty ones make or break that first impression!
How I’m Staying Hydrated: Front-Loading
We’ve all heard how important hydration is to our overall health and well-being.
From our emotional health to digestion, proper hydration plays a key role.
Yet, a lot of us walk around underhydrated and thus not performing at our optimal levels.
Many find it difficult to drink the amount* of fluid necessary to properly hydrate whether that be due to a lack of enjoyment or just getting caught up in the events of the day and forgetting.
*half your body weight in fluid ounces is a realistic goal
I’ve recently noticed myself doing a poor job of maintaining proper hydration due to drinking coffee in the morning, getting busy, and then trying to catch up in the afternoon which isn’t ideal.
To combat this, I’ve found benefit in front-loading my hydration by filling up a 30-ounce mason jar and finishing it before I leave my apartment in the morning.
By doing so, I’m already over 25% of my intake goal and don’t have to be as obsessive throughout the day when I have other things going on.
Also remember that if you don’t enjoy plain water, other fluids such as black coffee and tea can contribute to your overall fluid intake as long as you are incorporating an adequate amount of water as well!
No, Mountain Dew does not count in this equation.
I’d be remiss not to mention that electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium all play a huge role in hydration as well. Symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and muscle spasms are common when these are out of balance.
In the not-too-distant future, I’ll dive into the details on electrolytes which will include the potential benefit of using electrolyte replacements such as Liquid IV.
What else
As we approach the spring months, I’m opening up a couple of additional spots for personal training clients. Please reach out if you or someone you know may be interested in hearing more!
Next week I’ll be releasing a post on a few ways to declutter your environment and build a sustainable fitness practice. It will include incredibly practical tools that take very little time to master!
Don’t be ordinary, be you.
Buy some Barbell Apparel fitness clothing through my link here!
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DISCLAIMER
- This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.