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Unlock Your Potential: Tips for Energy, Mindset, and Resilience

It’s your favorite Friday email!

In this week’s newsletter, we’re focusing on breaking through perceived limits, building resilience, and maximizing energy for a healthier, more balanced life. Discover how reframing stress can keep you productive, learn the surprising benefits of morning and evening sunlight for mood and sleep, and explore how to unlock your full potential by challenging self-imposed limits. Let’s dive in and make this week one of growth and empowerment!

podcast of the week: Finish 2024 strong

quote of the week: Don’t try to skip the struggle. That’s the most valuable part of the journey where all of the character, resilience, and confidence is built.

NUTRITION
Why You Should Supplement With Creatine

You might be thinking: “Isn’t creatine only for bodybuilders?” The truth is, creatine is for everyone, offering benefits that go beyond muscle growth. Let’s break down what creatine is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most accessible, powerful, and researched supplements you can add to your health routine—whether or not you lift heavy weights.

What Is Creatine?

Creatine is a natural compound in your muscles and brain, made from amino acids like glycine, arginine, and methionine. While your body produces creatine, you can also get it from foods like red meat and fish. About 95% of the creatine in your body is stored in your muscles, where it helps produce quick energy during intense activities.

Here’s how it works: creatine helps recycle ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy fuel your muscles use. When you’re sprinting, lifting, or engaging in any high-intensity movement, creatine helps replenish your energy stores, allowing you to push harder and longer.

Beyond the Gym: Health Benefits of Creatine

Creatine’s advantages aren’t limited to muscle growth. Recent studies highlight its impact on overall health:

  • Boosted Muscle Strength and Performance: Creatine is known for improving muscle strength, power, and endurance, making every workout more effective whether you’re a pro or a beginner.

  • Brain Health and Cognitive Support: Creatine is also stored in the brain, where it supports cognitive function and mental clarity. Research indicates that creatine supplementation can enhance memory and focus, especially under stress or lack of sleep.

  • Improved Recovery: Creatine helps reduce muscle inflammation, which translates to faster recovery times. This is essential for staying consistent with workouts without excessive soreness.

  • Blood Sugar Regulation: Some studies suggest that creatine can improve the body’s ability to use glucose effectively, offering potential benefits for blood sugar control and metabolic health.

  • Bone Health and Aging: Creatine may even support bone health by improving muscle strength and bone mineral density—key factors for long-term mobility and aging.

    Choosing the Right Type of Creatine: Why Creatine Monohydrate is the Best

You may see various types of creatine, such as "creatine ethyl ester" or "buffered creatine," but the most effective form remains creatine monohydrate. Here’s why:

  • Proven Results: Creatine monohydrate has the strongest research backing for its effectiveness in increasing muscle mass and performance.

  • High Absorption: It’s easily absorbed and used by the body, without needing extra processing.

  • Affordable: Creatine monohydrate is budget-friendly, making it one of the most economical supplements you can find.

    How to Use Creatine: Dosage and Guidelines

Getting started with creatine is simple. Here are some general tips:

  • Dosage: A dose of 3–5 grams daily is enough for most people/

  • Timing: You can take creatine anytime; timing doesn’t affect its effectiveness. Some people mix it into their post-workout shake or just stir it into water.

  • Consistency: Creatine works best with daily use, so aim to take it consistently.

  • Stay Hydrated: Since creatine draws water into your muscle cells, drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support muscle function.

    The Bottom Line: Why Creatine Deserves a Spot in Your Wellness Routine

The bottom line? Creatine is one of the most affordable and well-researched supplements available. It supports everything from muscle strength and recovery to brain health and glucose regulation, making it a valuable addition to any wellness routine—not just for bodybuilders.

FITNESS
Lunch Time Workout

Shay Mitchell Workout GIF by Openfit

Get ready to sweat with this classic triplet. You will complete 21 reps of each exercise and then drop down to 15 for each and finally 9 reps for time:

21-15-9
Dumbbell push press (beginner: 15lbs / advanced: 35lbs)
Bar facing burpess
V-ups

5:00 Cash Out:

in 5 minutes, complete as many reps as possible:
Reverse Sit up x 8 reps
Russian twists x 28 reps (hold a 5-10lb plate)

HEALTH/WELLNESS
Morning and Evening Sun..How It Can Change Your Life

the boy is sitting in the park with his face turned up to the sun

Ever feel wide awake when you should be sleeping—or strangely alert at the crack of dawn? Many of us find ourselves either battling the urge to snooze or struggling to get to sleep at night. A surprising fix for these energy swings might be as simple as getting more sunlight in the morning and evening. This natural light can be crucial in setting our internal body clock—impacting our sleep, energy, and even mood.

Our bodies have a built-in cycle called the circadian rhythm, which aligns with the sun. Let’s look at how natural light helps set this rhythm, why exposure to sunlight in the morning and evening matters, and ways to incorporate it, even if you’re often indoors.

What Is Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that influences when you feel awake, sleepy, and everything in between. It keeps processes like your metabolism, hormone production, and immune function running smoothly. When it’s off, you might feel fatigued, struggle with poor sleep, and even experience mood imbalances.

Sunlight plays a significant role in keeping your circadian rhythm in sync. Both morning and evening light have unique effects that help signal to your brain when to wake up and when to wind down, so let’s explore why both are essential.

Why Morning Sunlight Is Key

Imagine you wake up, but your bedroom is still dark. You scroll through your phone and turn on a few lights, but your brain isn’t getting a strong wake-up signal. Artificial light isn’t as effective as natural sunlight, especially early in the day.

When you get outside first thing in the morning, sunlight reaches your eyes and activates the “master clock” in your brain. This tells your body it’s morning and time to boost energy levels. Sunlight, especially in the blue-light spectrum, also kicks up serotonin production (helping you feel awake and alert) while suppressing melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy.

The Science Behind Morning Sunlight

Studies have shown that morning sunlight exposure helps keep your sleep-wake cycle on track, leading to better sleep quality and duration. Morning light essentially sets your internal clock, establishing a natural rhythm for the day.

How to Get More Morning Sunlight

If you’re aiming to optimize your body’s natural rhythm, try to spend 10-30 minutes outdoors in the morning. Even on cloudy days, natural light exposure is more potent than indoor lighting. Grab your coffee outside, go for a short walk, or sit by a sunny window to help kickstart your day.

Evening Sunlight: The Natural Wind-Down

Just as morning sunlight helps wake you up, evening sunlight helps signal it’s time to wind down. The warm, amber hues of the setting sun send a message to your brain that the day is ending, encouraging the body to start producing melatonin for a restful night.

Evening Light and Melatonin

Studies indicate that people exposed to natural evening light experience a natural rise in melatonin levels and enjoy better sleep quality than those in artificial lighting environments. A simple evening walk or time outside at sunset can help lower stress and let your brain know it’s time to relax.

How to Get More Evening Sunlight

Spending just 15-20 minutes outside at sunset can help prepare your body for sleep. Think of it as a natural dimmer switch for your body, easing you from activity mode into rest mode.

Practical Tips: Making Sunlight Part of Your Day

What if you’re stuck indoors during the day? Here are a few tips to maximize natural light exposure:

  • Make Morning Sunlight a Priority: Try to get outside within an hour of waking up, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

  • Take Sunlight Breaks: Step outside briefly throughout the day to help keep your rhythm steady.

  • Limit Artificial Blue Light at Night: Avoid screens and bright lights after sunset to allow melatonin production to kick in.

  • Enjoy Evening Walks: Get outside at dusk to soak in the sunset's soft light and encourage relaxation.

    Embrace the Sun’s Natural Rhythm

Your circadian rhythm does more than dictate your sleep—it helps regulate your energy, mood, and health. Morning and evening sunlight are two powerful, natural tools to maintain this rhythm. By syncing with the sun, you can enjoy better sleep, improved energy, and a balanced body clock.

Next time you’re tempted to stay in bed or glued to your screen in the evening, remember that a few minutes with the sunrise or sunset can set you up for better health, one day at a time.

MINDSET
You Have No Limits

You and I don't have limits.

We have perceived limits.

...and these perceived limits are exactly what keep most people from becoming great.

Instead of testing and pushing through their limits...

They allow these beliefs to keep them from breaking free and building a life on their terms.

The limits they create inside their mind become the limits that hold them back in life.

If you believe you have limits...

It's because you haven't proven to yourself what you're truly capable of.

That self-belief can only be built through execution...

Overcoming hardship...

...and stacking enough daily wins to dismantle these limiting thoughts.

You owe it to yourself and the people in your life to destroy these limits and become the person you're meant to become.

Your example is the only thing that will show others what's possible and inspire the actions necessary for them to create real change.

I'd consider that to be your obligation.

Mine as well.

Eliminate your limits.

You never had any to begin with.

Make yourself Better Today.