In order to reach my potential in all aspects of my life, I need to be able to ensure I am performing at peak conditions.

Being an extremely fussy eater for years, I am beginning to take action while I am still young to ensure my health and fitness remains as my metabolism and body begins to change over time. As a result, here is a list of fifteen little things I am starting to do on a more regular basis to ensure my health and fitness stay at optimum levels:

1. Going to the doctor: Last week I went for a checkup after feeling some pains in my chest. Turns out I'm okay (extremely healthy) but it took a blood test, a urine sample and a checkup to find this out. Having been afraid of needles for some time, it was a bit scary walking in to find out suddenly I would be getting a blood test. However, it wasn't as bad as I remembered and now I am seriously considering getting my vaccinations I am overdue for. Also, I'm planning to book a checkup at least every six months.
2. Drinking water: Everyone says we should drink 8 glasses of water a day. I'm yet to see statistics that justify why this is the case, but drinking water as opposed to soft drink and alcohol more regularly is helping my skin as well as reducing my caloric intake, which can never be a bad thing. Taking a bottle of water when I go out makes a difference, as does asking for water instead of soft drinks at restaurants.
3. Eating breakfast: One thing about writing a series on how to reach your potential (or anything else for that matter) is that you usually struggle with some of the points yourself. Eating breakfast is one of the main ones for me. Having skipped it for several years, I am now trying to get into eating breakfast every day.
4. Eating more regularly: Aside from skipping breakfast, I have also been at a point where I only eat one-two meals a day. Partly because of being a fussy eater and partly because I am not hungry, I am now looking at slowly improving my eating habits and regularity so that I am eating 4 smaller minimum a day.
5. Changing chocolate intake: I like my chocolate. Christmas is a bad time of the year for me, as a lot of people buy me chocolate (I assume this is in part because I am hard to buy for). Over the last few days, I have started to eat 70% cocoa chocolate instead of milk or white chocolate. The plan is to slowly reduce intake as well as eating the 70% cocoa chocolate instead.
6. Walking: I love walking. The last month has seen me increase the amount of walking I do. I like it because it puts my heart rate in a fat burning position without putting unnecessary strain on my body.
7. Exercise: The last month has seen me getting back into exercise also. I'm only doing push ups and sit ups at the moment, but I am increasing my routine gradually and will add other movements in time.
8. Swimming: Having been fearful in the water for some time, I finally overcame my fears and enrolled in some swimming lessons. The first one was last week. Not only did I find it fun to learn new things (learning is one of my major passions), muscles I have not used for some time started to feel sore. This should be a good and fun way of exercising, while allowing me to overcome one of my oldest fears in life.
9. Getting the right amount of sleep: There was a period last year where between work and my social life I didn't get more than two nights of eight hours plus sleep in two months. This is not good and my body is playing catch up now while things are still a little quiet. As a result, I am still spending time with friends, family and loved ones but not until all hours of the morning several nights of the week. I'm also not working late at night so that my mind can begin to switch off rather than keeping me awake thinking for hours on end.
10. Starting a more active lifestyle: The last few years while undertaking tertiary studies have seen my slaving away behind a laptop and reading several books. I still intend to do this, but am now looking for things to do in my spare time that involve physical activities. An example of this is the swimming lessons. After I have completed those, I am thinking about undertaking a martial art. The key here is to find something active where you can have fun and learn new skills.
11. Sun exposure: As part of trying to get outdoors more, I want to get more sun exposure. I'm now going for walks through parks or down at the beach instead of just on the treadmill everyday. Sure I might not push myself as hard outdoors, but I'm doing it because I enjoy it primarily. Vitamin D is important to our health, and sun exposure helps us to obtain this to an extent.
12. Building quality relationships: I have made a number of acquaintances over the years which has been great. However, the more further spread you are the less quality you gain from each of those relationships. As a result, I am spending a bit of time this year really developing my circle of influence (the five people you spend the most time with that impact your life, and vice versa.).
13. Buying less junk food: A habit I have got into as a full time student, junk food costs both a lot of money and is not healthy. I have not eliminated it fully (I'm out and about a lot), but I am focusing on eating better food at home and am looking at how I will do things this year (IE: take nuts and other snacks vs buying when out).
14. Resting one day a week: One thing I've always been brought up with as a Christian is the notion of taking a day of rest a week. Energy is cyclical, so having a day where I am not focused on work or other activities is important to helping me recharge my batteries so that I can come back with more strength and determination the following week.
15. Trying new things: This is probably the most important one for me. I do tend to get stuck in a comfort zone from time to time. Part of stopping this is by shaking up my routine a bit by trying things I haven't done before. This could be as simple as eating at a new restaurant, meeting new people or reading a new book. These things help to increase the joy I get out of life, as well as exposing me to new opportunities to improve my health and fitness.

What little things are you doing to improve your health right now?