Welcome to the #TakeYourLifeBack newsletter. Over the last week, I’ve implemented and learned a few new tricks, and with a ton of information floating around in my head, I felt it necessary to share my insights with you.

This volume is based on the rule of threes. I’m not sure if I came up with that or read it somewhere, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I will organize my thoughts into groupings of three to make this volume consistent and easy to follow.

#TakeYourLifeBack is all about reclaiming your life from the bad habits that limit your growth as a human being. We all have them, and the pursuit of self-development is an ongoing process without an endpoint. If you’re looking for a destination or a final goal, it doesn’t exist. Start working on whatever aspect of your life you want to improve. For me, it was health and fitness, and I continue to use a fitness routine as a crutch, a rock, a baseline, if you will. When everything else fails or negative chatter fills my head, I lean on fitness to see me through, and it works every time. Even if you don’t feel like working out, I bet you’ll feel refreshed and renewed after you force yourself to complete your routine. As you become more disciplined, it will be easier to stick to your routine.

With the pep talk aside, let’s delve deeper into diet and nutrition. Diet is the one thing I did not take seriously enough early on and it limited my progress, please don’t make the same mistake.

1. Diet is more important than anything else. You cannot out-train, out-run, or outdo a bad diet. Get your diet in check. Start now!

2. Consider going plant-powered. It might sound crazy, but if you need to lose a big belly gained from eating processed foods, dairy, and meat, it may be time for a new strategy.

3. Don’t get too caught up in the details; just find something that works for you and start NOW! Yes, you can cheat occasionally (unless you’re following 75Hard). I ate pancakes this weekend, and though they were a bit sweet for my new taste buds, I enjoyed them nonetheless.

I have started this plant-powered routine myself, and while I won’t be perfect, I’m committed to it and will share my results with you in the coming weeks.

Here’s an example of my meals while working from home today:

1. Breakfast and post-gym nutrition: plant-powered smoothie.

Blueberries, banana, whole-grain oats, peanut butter, beets, carrots, kale and spinach – all organic

2. Lunch: homemade vegetable soup.

3. Dinner: vegan-style fettuccine Alfredo with gluten-free pasta. Please note: My wife is Italian, and this is almost sacrilegious, but we’ll see what she thinks after tonight – haha!

Next week, we’ll discuss my newest addiction: running. I must admit, I’m not very good at running, so this is a whole new challenge. I even signed up for a 5K, lame I know but I need to start somewhere. Stay tuned for insights next week.

Also, I’d like to start mentioning the books I’m reading so we can all share and learn together. I’m currently reading “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins, a book about mindset. I’m eager to learn from a Navy Seal and Ironman athlete.

Remember, exercise to build up the body and read books to strengthen the mind.