A Healthy "State" of Mind

I’ve lived all over the world. But there’s no place like Colorado.

I feel very fortunate to have grown up in such an incredible place. You see, it is the lifestyle and beauty that keep me coming back to this great state. The beautiful mountains and all of the outdoor activities made it the perfect place to build my Navy SEAL foundation.

It was here I learned to hunt, fish, camp, drive, shoot, climb and so much more. But the thing I love most about Colorado is the state of mind of healthy living that so many of its residents have.

In fact, it's one of the healthiest states in America! And because of that - and that I grew up in Boulder (one of the top 3 healthiest cities) - I was surrounded by people who embraced exercise as a lifestyle.

But let’s be honest, healthy choices can be a struggle for everyone. However, when they are built into the framework of daily life, it makes decisions just a little easier.

Push Your Comfort Zone

You know your current comfort zone… that daily routine and the things that make you feel secure, content or in control.

However, most of our daily comfort zone rituals leave us unprepared to deal with even the smallest discomfort, and certainly render us incapable of meeting an emergency or life-threatening challenge.

Challenge Your Limits Daily

Push the boundaries of your comfort zone at least once a day. There are so many opportunities to do this without attempting all at once to become an ultra-marathon runner, although this is a great goal.

Keep track, make a list and check off all the things you do each day to challenge yourself.

Ultimately, by expanding your comfort zone you will increase both your physical and mental toughness, which are the keys to survival. Start by doing simple things such as using the stairs instead of the elevator to take you up only a few floors. Climb at a reasonable pace and know that when you reach the top, you have just expanded your comfort zone.

When in your car, don’t fight to get the space closest to the store, but purposely look for one that will make you walk. If you already exercise or jog, for example, increase your distance or speed. Run that extra mile, or run it a minute faster. Do that one additional push-up. When in the shower, after scrubbing down with the warm temperature you usually prefer, finish the last thirty seconds with a blast of cold water.

By pushing your physical limits, you are also forcing your brain to expand its comfort boundaries, and you’re gradually becoming physically and mentally tougher.

Daily Comfort Zone Checklist – all answers need to be yes.

• Did I challenge myself today?
• Did I do something positive that my mind didn’t want to do?
• Did I do something positive that my body didn’t want to do?
• Can I do more?

Everyone’s comfort zone is different, even if, for some of us it means starting with drinking one less beer, or forgoing dessert. Yet, all of these little daily victories will bring us confidence later, especially when our life depends on it.

It’s so much easier to do nothing, and it seems natural not to bother, but I tell you: these first exercises are essential in changing your mindset, and, eventually, can be the very things that will separate the survivors from the victims.

Here is a visualization I use: I like to imagine that pushing my comfort zone daily is similar to rolling a boulder up a hill. If I let it, the rock will always want to tumble back down and I’ll have to start from the bottom again. Expanding the comfort zone on a daily basis will actually be easier and more effective in getting that boulder closer to the summit—and to our success or ultimate survival.

Always An Hour In The Day

Exercise has always been a very important part of my life. Whether it was the multiple sports I was involved in as an adolescent, or the fact that it is a basic job requirement to be in peak physical condition as a SEAL. Our bodies are like motors that need to be driven often to continue to work properly. I’ve found this to not only be great for my physical health – but very great for mental health.

If I skip even one day working out, then I find myself to be moody and short on patience. There have been more than a few occasions when my girlfriend has “told me” to go to the gym. For those who didn’t grow up in an environment where exercise is plentiful, this may be a hard concept to wrap your arms around. But if you can start slow with the goal of elevating your heartrate and maybe break a sweat everyday – you will not only be adjusting your lifestyle, but living a much healthier life.

Tips For Adding exercise to Your Daily Life

• Start slow and build up your strength and endurance (if you injure yourself early it can be very frustrating).
• Do little things to push your comfort zone like taking the stairs instead of an elevator. Park farther away from your destination, making you travel the greater distance by walking.
• Put the time you WILL work out on your calendar. This will not only have you dedicating the time, but will allow you to visualize this event by writing it down.
• Join a gym like cross fit or circuit training where all you have to do is show up and they will guide you through the workout of the day.
• Try to exercise outdoors as much as possible.
• Never let your excuse for not working out be “I don’t have enough time.” WRONG – there is always an hour in the day for this life-altering event if you really care.

Diet, Diet, Diet

I’ve always considered myself “health-smart.” But with age, I’ve realized that energy levels aren’t what they used to be. That certain body parts stay sore longer. And I’m okay with that because I would like to think I’m still “hard” and will grind through it.

However, there is no denying that what I eat/drink at this age has a huge impact on my health. When I was 25 years old, I could basically eat anything I wanted and still had my 6-pack of abs due to the incredibly high level of physical activity in the SEAL Teams.

Those days are long gone.

This has been one of the most eye-opening things for me about growing older. It’s also one of the reasons why I take Patriot Power Greens™ to take the load off. You see, this incredible supplement makes me feel 20 years younger. Energy, stamina, focus, pain-free movement. And all-around good health.

What you put into your body as you age has a huge impact on your health. When I say diet, I am referring to what you consume on a daily basis. Take a look at how I balance my every day diet, right here.

It’s never too late to get on the path to better health. And it doesn’t have to involve dramatic changes. Just moving your body more, or adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, can make a profound difference. It’s up to you to take the first step.