Envision the most successful people in the world. They have a variety of traits that helped them become that way, including charisma, confidence, knowledge, and good instincts.
But often, you’ll also find that they exercise and eat healthy. Most are not obese, and most will share their gym routine and diet with anyone who wants to know. Consider the following examples:
- Barack Obama worked out at least 45 minutes every single day before entering the Oval Office to get to work.
- Michelle Obama, the nation’s most educated first lady, incorporates healthy foods into every meal and exercises daily, even if it means waking up at 4:30 a.m. to follow through.
- Gwyneth Paltrow not only gets up at 4:30 a.m. to practice yoga, but she’s also a major advocate for clean eating.
- Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief for Vogue magazine, plays a vigorous tennis match for one hour each day before heading into work.
- Weatherman Al Roker says he eats a protein smoothie every day after his 7:30 weather segment.
Each of these people can boast of incredible accomplishments, and their healthy habits are a contributing factor. Anyone who aspires to a successful lifestyle will benefit from being a little healthier.
Research Supports Link Between Health and Success
In each of these success stories, we see evidence that being healthy and being successful are probably linked. But it’s not just what you see. Multiple studies clearly link healthy habits and success with personal goals and achievements.
A University of Georgia study showed that people who exercise regularly are more confident, better able to focus, and more likely to follow through on promises and goals. Researchers also asked 1,300 people who earn upwards of $100,000 annually what helped them stay focused, and 75 percent said physical fitness was a huge part of their drive to keep going.
Another study, from the Centers for Disease Control, revealed that students attain significantly higher academic achievements when they eat healthy. Students who ate breakfast regularly and incorporated healthy foods into their diet were more likely to excel academically and socially than those who reported poor nutrition.
These are just two of many studies that make a case for a healthy lifestyle in supporting personal success and achievement. The link is strong, and we’ve seen the results time and again among many of the world’s most successful individuals.
How You Can Be Healthier and Therefore More Successful
If you’re seeking certain goals in life, the best thing you can do is get off the couch and go after them. One of the first steps is to reform your eating and exercise habits. Here are some tips to get you started.
Use a Weight-Loss System
Ease into altering your eating and exercise habits by losing excess weight first. This will give you more energy and help you combat other health issues that could be inhibiting your ability to follow your dreams.
A reputable weight-loss system will help you get there. Find one that teaches healthy eating habits that will remain after you’ve shed the extra pounds. Nutrisystem, for example, delivers pre-portioned, healthy meals several times a day.
With a good program like this, you’re more likely to curb cravings and stick with your diet to the end.
Exercise Daily
The CDC recommends that people engage in at least 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise at least 5 days a week to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Most of the world’s highly successful people invest 45 minutes or more in daily exercise for increased energy and greater self-confidence.
If you’re struggling to get into the groove of exercising on a regular basis, set a goal. You might aim to complete an exercise program, such as Shaun T’s Insanity workouts, or you could aim to run a 5K by the end of the summer.
Quit Bad Habits
Smoking, excessive drinking, recreational drug use, and other bad habits can also inhibit your drive for success. It’s hard to think clearly and go after your goals when bad habits like these are clouding your judgment, challenging your productivity, and steadily damaging your body beyond repair.
One of the best ways to quit a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. Instead of drinking a couple of beers at the end of the day, you might read a chapter of an inspirational book or work for an hour on the business you’ve always wanted to open.
Walk or Bike to Work
If you live within 10 miles of work, leave the car at home and bike the distance. Walk it if it’s shorter. This is the healthiest method of transport, and it enables you to meditate through hard problems and promotes your ingenuity.
Fitting in exercise and healthy eating is not easy, but if you’re looking for the extra confidence and motivation to achieve your ultimate career and personal goals, it’s one of the most vital things you can choose to do.
