It feels like these days everyone is doing something to try to be healthier. But how do you know what the right moves actually are?
There are so many opinions, diets, supplements, etc. to choose from, that it can be a bit mind boggling. However overwhelmed you might be by the panorama of it all, please read through these thoughts that I've carefully curated in an effort to help you realize how simple it can actually be.
As I advocate in the name of my space here and throughout my content,
I believe this is only one more area of our lives where our hearts are poured out through our hands.
A healthy lifestyle must first be something that your heart really desires, and then your hands must be willing to work at fulfilling that. Don't do it for the image you'll portray to others, or because some popular influencer thinks you ought to. Do it because you want the fullness of life and energy that results from eating and living in a manner more in tune with the way our Creator intended.
If you feel far, far from the mark, but long for a difference, my encouragement is to start small.
Create one good habit after another.
If you try to change too many things at once, it won't last because you'll soon be hopelessly bogged down.
Pick one place to start, and start. Here are some options:
•Make a good breakfast every morning.*
•Add a pinch of real salt and some lemon to your water.
•Prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
•Cut out inflammatory oils from your diet as much as possible.*
•Incorporate more good meat into your diet.
•Make your dips and sauces from scratch.
•Only drink coffee after or during a meal or high protein snack, or try an adrenal cocktail instead for the same "pick-me-up" benefit!*
•Move your body, at least a little, every day! But remember this looks different for different life stages. Make sure your choice of movement is beneficial and not a stressor!*
I could definitely go on with that list, but you can likely come up with some of your own baby steps to take.
Some people will say that they don't have time or money to live healthier, but you simply make time for things that you prioritize. It just happens. And as for the money, you'll be surprised how much you save by making more foods from scratch, even if you're buying quality ingredients. In time, your quality of life will begin to increase; and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you've done the best you could will be a health benefit in itself!
I want to take into consideration the folks that these kinds of changes may be extra difficult for.
The ones challenged in the kitchen, the ones who don't care for gardening, the phlegmatic ones, the ones who have no interest in researching... If you want it badly enough I believe there's a way for you too to become the healthier version of yourself, though it may take more accountability to your friends and help from others. If you don't know how to make your own bread, and learning by yourself looks too hard, ask a friend to teach you. If your sister makes kombucha but it looks like a huge bother to you, ask her if she would supply you for reasonable reimbursement.
When it comes to supplements, I believe there is a place for them; if you're healing, pregnant, nursing, etc, you likely should be supplementing somehow. For myself, I quit any supplements a few months back and started in with some changes in the way I cooked and the groceries I bought, and I have not missed my pills.
Food is supposed to be nourishing and energizing.
If it isn't, than you should likely make some changes. Focus on more animal proteins, healthy fats, simple carbs, and minerals. AND EAT ENOUGH. The rampant diet culture tries to make starving yourself, intermittent fasting, and "forgetting" to eat look like what you should be doing, and IT'S NOT. Maybe I'll save further expansion on this for another post.
Gonna wrap this up with a summarizing statement:
Baby steps forward are better than staying where you are. Keep on budgin'!
*More to come on these topics in future posts. You can follow me on Instagram @heart.in.hand21 for other random, sporadic tips and inspo!
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