Small changes, BIG results
I want to talk about a topic that comes up almost daily, and probably in all of yours. Whether it's a podcast, a conversation with friends, a Facebook post, or other forms of media, it's always there. What am I talking about? I am talking about food. Everywhere I turn, I am advised on what to eat and what not to eat, and depending on who you talk to, the list of foods is vastly different.
I have been known for years to sleep anytime and anywhere, including in class, at parties, at work (close your eyes, but make sure your hand is on your mouse and you are facing the computer screen), and even in clubs. This has generated many nicknames, but my favourite one is "furniture." When I was young, everyone thought it was genetic because my father and uncles were the same. When I was a teen, people thought I was on drugs. As an adult, the diagnosis was sleep apnea.
Who grew up eating cereal? Who still eats cereal? I haven't done any surveys, but I will go out on a limb and say almost all of you grew up eating cereal, and many of you still kick-start your day with a bowl. For me, after a bowl of Vector (or any other cereal, for that matter), I would be starving and exhausted by the time I reached the office. About two years ago, after a conversation with my cousin, I decided to shift from a bowl of cereal (oh, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, how I miss you) to a bowl of oatmeal to start the day. According to my cousin, oatmeal is digested slower and might eliminate my crashes.
My favorite drug of all is Cinnamon Toast Crunch!
Honestly, I would wake up every morning with a ton of energy. By 11:00 a.m., all I wanted to do was sleep. I would also crash in the afternoons. It got so bad in the last few years, especially with all the demands from the business, that I would make frequent stops in mall and plaza parking lots to get a 20-minute power nap. In the winter, I knew which underground garages were warm enough for a quick nap. Also, I admittedly have fallen asleep at red lights. Crazy, right? It wasn't genes, it wasn't drugs, and it wasn't sleep apnea. It was cereal. At around the age of 35, I stopped eating cereal in the mornings, and it completely changed my life. Hello, oatmeal, and goodbye, Vector!
One small shift, and my life changed. I'm not one to dwell on the past, but I can't help but wonder how I would have performed in all areas of my life, especially academically and physically, if I had made this change earlier. Today, I'm thinking clearer, sharper, and bigger than ever before and haven't slept in a parking lot since.
I'm not a nutritionist or a health specialist, but the experience above has made me very mindful of how I fuel my body. Every time I eat something new, I pay close attention to how my body reacts. Is it fueling me or draining me? I'm curious to know if any of you have had similar experiences with food and, whether it's food intake or some other area of your life, what small changes have you made that have elevated your life to new heights?
Cheers to small changes and big results!
Over time, I evolved from oatmeal to a breakfast of eggs, avocado, and salads, which resulted in even more energy throughout the day!