Nutrition, Exercise and Sleep: Worth it in the Workplace

A lot of entrepreneurs may know the benefits of nutrition but can’t seem to find the time to fit it into their busy lifestyles.  With long days, little sleep and a lot of eating on-the-go, it can be hard to eat healthy and find the time to workout.  However, nutrition – both exercising and eating well—will help you in the business world!  I’m here to tell you why and what I’ve learned from working with Hitch Fit and their intense nutrition program: 

Increased Productivity

Lean startup entrepreneurs know how precious time can be.  However, it’s really important to take the time to make your own food.  A lot of entrepreneurs would see cooking or preparing food a completely unnecessary and time-consuming task (I used to!).  But keep in mind the way processed, fast food makes you feel later.  It’s really worth it to cook your own meals!

So what have I done to increase my productivity, yet still eat healthy?  I’ve cut back the Lean Cuisines, Town Topic lunch runs and bottles of Ensure in lieu of a homemade, healthier brown rice stir-fry (eggs, chicken, veggies, and spices.  Healthy food can taste good, too!).  I’ve really felt the difference throughout the workday by cooking my own healthy meals and I tend to get more done than when I’ve “saved” the time on eating the unhealthy options.

Creativity Boost

I have been working out with Micah and Diana over at the Hitch Fit gym twice a week in the afternoons (from 12:00pm-1:00pm).  Because I work out in the middle of the workday, I have noticed some pretty crazy improvements to my work style.  Working out helps me focus, so getting that afternoon exercise in really gets my creative juices flowing and prevents me from burning out around 3:00 or 4:00pm.  Working out during the day also helps me reduce stress.  It actually allows me some time to be social with a workout buddy (shout out to Micah LaCerte!).   Let’s face it; it’s a lot healthier than collaborating with a coworker for happy hour later.  When it comes down to it, I’ve found that without this mid-afternoon exercise, my mind is ready to checkout long before it needs to.

Higher Energy Levels

You’re an entrepreneur, so you’re probably not getting as much sleep as you should. You love your job so you work hard and there’s no shame in that (I have fallen victim to the 3:00AM emergency conference call far too many times).  However, that lack of energy is going to catch up to you at some point in the day.  When it does, squeeze in 15 minutes of yoga – find an empty room at the office or if you’ve got a great rooftop space like bizperc, get outside.  Each yoga asana has its own rewards, and there are several poses for boosting your energy when you hit that midday slump.

Just remember: to get healthy you’ve got to think big! The next time you’re craving an in-office snack, grab that apple instead of the candy bar.  Your body…and your company…will thank you for it!

The Lunch Break Workout (And How to Avoid Being Sweaty When You Return to the Office!)

Here at Think Big Partners, we love lunch.  We love ordering in from awesome Kansas City restaurants like The Mixx, Nica's 320, the Art of Pizza and even Grinder's.  But if you sit back and think about it, lunch takes up a lot of time every single day.  It takes 5 minutes to decide what you want for lunch, 5 minutes to drive to the restaurant, 45 minutes to eat, and 5 minutes to drive back.  Over an hour of your day was wasted (unless you happened to meet with someone important over your lunch hour!).


So how can you take advantage of your lunch hour?  Why not work out instead?  Nix sitting down at the local restaurant and try eating lunch at your desk instead.  Use that lunch hour for something good--a full-body workout!

Working out over the lunch hour does require a little bit of planning and coordination.  But once you get into the swing of things, you may never go back to those late-night or early-morning workouts again.  Here are some of my quick tips for working out over the lunch hour:


1.  Find a local gym near the office.  If your current gym is located closer to your home, it may be time to switch!


2.  Beef up the intensity.  Quick workouts are proven to be more effective than long, slow paced workouts.  Research proves that just 15 minutes of exercise can get you nearly the same effect as a 60 minute workout.  So if you're going on a walk during the lunch hour, pick up the pace (or carry something heavy with you!).


3.  Lift weights instead of cardio.  If you decide to try the lunch hour workout, try lifting weights instead of hopping on the treadmill.  When lifting weights, our bodies do not produce as much sweat as when we perform cardio workouts.  That means you may not have to shower before you head back to the office (bonus!).


4.  Have your coworkers work out with you.  It's more motivational and more fun.


5.  Try circuit training.  Short bursts of resistance exercise with moderate weights and frequent repetitions are perfect for the lunch hour workout.  This type of exercise allows for muscle confusion and allows for a full-body workout in a short amount of time.


What do you have to lose (other than maybe a few inches!)?  Try the lunch hour workout today.  Let's see what you're made of!


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