Sleep is more important than I thought. We need to take this seriously.

Well hello there Reader,

I have to tell you something.

I underestimated how crucial sleep is until recently.

Yes, we may all "know" sleep is important.

But we likely don't prioritize it.

When life and work get in the way, sleep is the first thing that we brush aside.

With full-time work, Amplify Your Home and building my brand online,

I found myself giving up some hours of sleep here and there.

In just 3 months on 5-6 hours of sleep, I faced:

• Unhealthy food cravings and midnight snacking

• Reduced motivation for exercise

• Noticeable weight gain and changes in my body composition

My Wake-Up Call: This was a real eye-opener. It showed me how critical good sleep is for maintaining health and well-being. You can have the perfect diet and the perfect exercise regime but that means nothing when you aren't getting your sleep in.

My Goal for April 2024: To get back to my 2021 level of fitness and health. It only gets harder as time goes on. So why delay it?

Life in Cycles: We all experience highs and lows. The key is to not let the lows define us. Get back on track as soon as you can!

For me, tracking my sleep, steps, and weight has been cool to see - especially when I pair that with the different phases of my life.

I have the Fitbit Charge. No bulky square Apple watch for me.

• First full-time job = Work > Health

• Second full-time job = Work < Health

• COVID years = The best shape of my life (limited restaurants opened and more time to exercise)

TLDR: Don't underestimate sleep. It's not just about rest. Do yourself a favor and track your sleep, steps, and weight. Prioritize getting enough SLEEP. Remember, you don't get a trophy for not sleeping. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you for giving yourself some rest.

How about you? How are you balancing work, health, and rest? Are you taking care of yourself? Don't wait until it's too late.

And please don't ever lose sight of your health and happiness. You can work hard but you can also be smart about it. How much of your health are you willing to give up for your work?

It may seem insignificant at first when you are logging in those late hours now and then - but it will add up. The effects will hit you all at once. Typically when it is too late.

When it comes to things related to your health, it is better to be proactive vs reactive.

You don't want to end up in a position where one day, you realize you just gained 20 lbs and have some medical condition.

Your job won't recognize the sacrifices you make for it. Avoid a one-sided relationship where your health pays the price.

Take care,

Mary F