The Healthy Lifestyle Triangle

There are three components to a healthy lifestyle. At any given time, at least two should be employed to maintain or lose weight. At best, all three are employed.

1. Healthy Diet
2. Exercise
3. Sleep

These three things, used in conjunction are an extremely powerful tool to help you achieve your weight goals, or maintain your already sexy figure. When working all three of these things you will see and feel a difference in yourself; more energy, positive thinking, achievement of goals both physical and mental. But when all three start to go by the wayside, things don't go as well.

We all live in the real world people, so it isn't always possible to get all of these things happening at the same time. As much as we try, sometimes it's just an impossible task to get enough sleep, eat right all day, and hit the gym as well. Even though we strive for this combination to achieve our best selves, settling for two out of three is another conscious decision we can make.

If you can't eat right, make sure you're working out and that you're getting enough sleep.

If you can't workout; make sure you're eating right and getting enough sleep.

and

If you can't get enough sleep, make sure you're eating right and working out.

It's all about balance - and making sure your triangle stays in shape.

For those of us trying to lose weight, I'd recommend trying to get one more hour of sleep a night for a week... just get into your bed and close your eyes, even if you don't feel extremely tired. If you have trouble getting to bed, try cutting out late night sugar or caffeine as well. The extra hour of sleep can go a long way into helping your body to recover from the daily workout, and burn off those calories. Since virtually no one gets enough sleep, it also might give you more energy during the day. We all have a DVR now, right? So there's no excuse to turn off the TV early and get some shut eye.  Going to bed at an early hour is important when you're asking a lot of your body. Give it a try!