An Investment For The Present

I am sure I am not the only one who has received advice from a very young age to be sure to save your money in order ultimately prepare for retirement. There are people in place to manage this for you, there are various saving options, and there are numerous resources available to assist you to making the right decisions. While a financial planner will be an assistance to your future, I often catch myself answering questions of the present often related to fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. I often look at these topics as investments as they sometimes require financial backing, but more importantly the investment of time and effort. And while saving money will take care of your future, I am a firm believer that it is your present day investment strategy to help your future occur gracefully.

            

                       The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

 

I cannot say that I am an investment guru of any type, but I can say that what you invest in your well being has some similar characteristics. A diversified financial portfolio generally leads to healthier financial well being. The same can be said for your body as there are numerous elements that can be integrated to increase the value of your portfolio of the present. These would be my investments.

 

 

Investment: 7-9 Hours daily

 

 A natural sleep cycle is generally in tune with the sun. Get to bed by 10pm and rise 

 around 6 and 7am. The return on your investment will be optimal physical, psychological,   

 and neurological repair. For those of us who do not have the work schedule that caters to

 the cycle of the sun, do your best to maintain your 7-9 hours of sleep.

 

 

Investment: Fifty percent of your body weight in ounces.

 

Proper hydration is essential for the transport of nutrients for your body, and the

regulation of your core temperature. It also plays an irreplaceable role in regulating your

body’s key systems.

 

 

Investment: 1 hour daily

 

This investment option is big enough to be broken down into its own portfolio based on the

amount of options available to us. To avoid too much confusion I will do my best to keep it simple. Exercise is movement and for a lot of us, we do not get enough of it. When it comes to your investment in movement, what is your desired return? In order to see an effective return there are some questions that you need to ask yourself. There are a lot of options available. Finding what works for you will determine the strength of your investment. Here are a few things to consider when making your decisions.

 

      1. Education: Having clarity on your goals and how you will reach them will be a big part 

                             of the return on your efforts. 

 

      2. Diversify: Different methods and progressions of movement will result in a far more    

                           successful exercise portfolio and a greater return on your contributions.

 

      3. Rest: Listen to your body. It will tell you when it wants to rest. Take it when necessary in   

                    order to keep your investments from stalling.

 

      4. Get Help: We seek assistance from professionals to assist our investments into the 

                           future. Exercise is something that may require similar attention. 

                           

 

Investment: Quality sources of protein

                    Carbohydrate sources primarily from fruit and vegetables

                    Quality sources of essential fats

                    Appropriate timing

 

If there was an investment within this portfolio that I would consider the foundation of your

investment strategy, proper nutrition would be just that. The food that you put into your body

will define the level of success in everything else that you contribute in your strategy. Once

again there will be many things to consider when it comes to making the appropriate

decisions to ensure a return.

 

1. Eat!

 Emphasize on free run meats and eggs as sources of protein. Carbohydrate sources coming primarily from fruits and vegetables. Fat sources coming from plant and fish based sources.

Nuts, avocados, olive coconut and fish oils will provide you with wholesome sources

of essential fats that are vital for your quality of life.

 

2. Frequency

 

The amount of insulin that is released in order to stabilize our blood sugar is a key component in our body composition. Smaller, more frequent feedings will ensure a straight line effect on your blood sugar and speed up your metabolism.

 

3. Education

     

Knowing and understanding the influence that food has on your body will help you direct your decision making when it comes to what you eat. 

 

 

The dark horse in your portfolio. I am a firm believer in the idea that our experiences are what define our personality. Whether it be a trip, playing with your kids, listening to music, whatever it is that you enjoy. Make time for balance and enjoy it in every sense. A life worth living is a life worth taking care of.