In trying to live our best lives, one of the most important things we can do is to take care of ourselves and two major components of that are (1) eating good, whole foods and (2) moving our bodies.
I have noticed that when I eat with no care for balance (read: lots of chips, desserts, and cheese) and when I sit around all day indoors, my skin feels different, my body feels different, and most importantly of all, my mind feels different. It becomes so easy to fall into that rut of giving your body poor fuel and not using it, and then wonder why you have no motivation to do anything and your brain feels totally hazy. Our bodies are just like cars, if you don't give them the right gas, or you just let them sit for weeks, they won't work properly.
In an effort to get my mind right and get motivated to do these two things I like to keep this idea of a Happy Body at the forefront. When I am choosing breakfast, I ask myself, how will this make my body feel? I think the Happy Body idea is awesome, because sometimes a cupcake is exactly what will make your body happy. But sometimes it is also a big bowl of spinach and a sweaty yoga class.
Some things I have learned about eating for a Happy Body:
Food:
Source: Ashley
- It's all about balance, day by day, meal by meal. I try to balance each meal with veggies/fruits, lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. This is what works the best for me. I try to eat a vegetable and/or fruit at every meal.
- I try to buy foods with the least ingredients (nothing I can't recognize), and if possible, make stuff from scratch in bulk for the freezer.
- Frozen veggies and fruits are my friends! They can be more fresh than the produce at the store because they are frozen at their peak. Also, they last much longer so they don't spoil, a lot of times they are already chopped up so less prep time, and in some cases, can be much less expensive than fresh!
- I try to avoid anything processed - this includes white sugar. To me processed means that the food has had something done to it that I couldn't replicate at home with the right equipment. Obviously there is a grey area with this one.
- I have an organic pecking order: meats (which I don't eat, but buy for others), then all animal products, then the dirty dozen. I try to stick to this but it can be really difficult.
- Local food is great! This year I joined a CSA and I try to buy local dairy products from Whole Foods. I am looking forward to finding some good Farmer's Markets for next year.
- If I am craving something that I know doesn't make my body happy in general, I try to get the best version of it possible. Haagen Dazs only for me!
- I have slowly learned what food I have sensitivities to and I avoid them 99% of the time. No more popcorn or fake cheese powder.
Activity:
Source: Sara Williamson
- I like to sweat most days. It makes my skin feel so much better, not to mention the rest of me.
- I walk as much as I can, especially outdoors. Mandatory walks with my dog twice a day! Getting outside is so great for so many things like clearing your mind, helping your sleep by adjusting your circadian rhythms, and improving your mood (especially by getting some vitamin :D).
- I don't do exercise that I don't like. The gym isn't for me, so I don't go there. If it makes me miserable, then it's not contributing to my Happy Body goal.
- I have the things that I do regularly, but it is always nice to change it up and try a new class or activity, especially with a friend!
- I think of my regular activities as hobbies, not as mandatory exercise. I look forward to my yoga classes because it is my hobby and it makes me feel amazing. It's all about the mindset.
Overall, the main thing I try to do is not over-think it and just be "normal" (no weird diet foods, food journaling, or crazy menu modification at restaurants). I spent so much time thinking about dieting throughout my life that I would much rather just be enjoying myself while treating myself right. I try to follow these guidelines of things that I know work for me, but if I can't or don't feel like it, I try not to get down on myself. After all, this is all about being happy!!
Is there anything you do to help you feel your best? Anything I left out that you think is important?
6 comments:
This is a great post. It's succinct and not too scary! I am terrible about consistent working out - I have thought about getting a dog so that I have someone else depending on me going for a walk!
Thank you so much! As for working out, once I stopped doing things I didn't enjoy, and started focusing on just moving more, I really realized how much butter I felt, so that makes it much easier. I still have lazy days though! Getting a dog as an exercise partner can be great, but there are always ways to get around it, so you still have to be motivated. :)
Eating good, proper and healthy food definitely makes a huge difference for me! Now that I live in York I walk so much more than what I used to before (it all adds up to at least two hours of fast pace walk!!!). It feels great! Also, I really enjoyed this post *bookmark* :D
Thank you!! When I visited Europe over the summer I did so much walking and I loved it, but now that I am back home I have to really try to walk. Walking cities are the best!
Your "Healthy Living" Mentality is a really great one. I know that calorie counting, food journals, and using a gym don't work great for me because I get obsessive. I am a pescatarian and I always opt for organic foods when I can, definitely always for milk and eggs. I also know I was a lot healthier when I wasn't sitting at a desk all day!
Thank you! It has taken me many years to get to this place, but all the work I have done has been so worth it.
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