Have you ever asked yourself why so many diets and workout programs are out on the market? Someone always has a plan for weight loss. You’re confused, overwhelmed, and hopeless because you don’t know where to turn. You want to get healthy and lose those unwanted pounds. Yet we hear no carbs, fewer carbs, plant-based, vegan, all protein, no protein, it’s enough to make you go crazy! So, can we exhale and begin our journey of becoming healthy with truth so we can be on our way to a positive transformation?
Many do mean well when giving advice. However, many people who claim to be fitness professionals, whether on social media or a friend who reads fitness magazines, give more of an opinion than researched-based information, are not certified in the field with hands-on experience and knowledge, or are not armed with a degree in nutrition. We love the before-and-after post, as it inspires and motivates many. However, we must be careful because giving the wrong advice can do more harm than good, especially if we need to be more knowledgeable about specific illnesses, as someone may have certain restrictions.
We are all different; what may be right for you may not be suitable for someone else. So, when I speak about a healthy lifestyle rather than a diet, I mean the entire person’s mind, body, and spirit. Here are a few things to remember about healthy lifestyles and their appearance.
- Limited Alcohol
- No Smoking
- No Drugs
- Exercise
- Reduced TV & Screen Time
- Complete Night’s Rest of Sleep
- Well-balanced eating of lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and your choice of protein. If animal protein, make sure it is grass feed and or kosher
- Stress Management
- Positive Mindset
- Mental Clarity
- Daily Self Reflection
- Staying Hydrated
- Reduce Sitting (Sedentary Job; use lunch and breaks to move)
- Stay Active
- No Sugary Drinks at all
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Cook at Home or Busy? Subscribe to the best meal delivery service.
- Meditate on scriptures
- Meditation
- Hiking
- Spend time outdoors, Be in Nature.
Those are just a few things you can review to see where you stand.
If you start implementing, I am sure you will see a difference in your health. It may take some time to adjust to something new, but it’s all about learning to stay healthy in a way you can maintain.
Twenty years ago, I decided to get healthy and live a balanced lifestyle by eating a healthy, clean diet because, as a fitness coach, my brand is me. I have no other option than a healthy lifestyle, honesty, and integrity.
I am all about whole foods and eating everything the creator has given us. Many of us become ill because we decide to eat whatever we like, sometimes even knowing the repercussions of those choices.
Remove processed foods, fried foods, and salty and sugary snacks. Although we love our fish, certain fish contain the most cholesterol per 100 grams of fat, such as squid, salmon, lobster, and shrimp. So, it’s all about moderation and how it’s prepared, especially for people with high cholesterol. We want to love our mind, body, and spirit enough to make wise choices because we are seeing more people, even the young, with chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and strokes.
Exercise is essential because our bodies move, bend, and stretch. They depend on movement to function. So, start exercising, whatever that means for you. We can make it happen if we take the time to make it a part of our daily lives. Also, it does wonders for the mind, as it reduces the risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, stress, depression, and anxiety.
Now, diets are very restricted, and many can harm our internal organs without researching the benefits for ourselves. Many fad diets have caused fatigue, headaches, kidney stones, and constipation, which is not beneficial to the body. It’s because it eliminates essential foods needed for a balanced diet. I do not diet because it’s unnecessary if you decide to live a balanced life. Just say no to bad fats and, most importantly, clean out the pantry. You will be alright.
Of course, some medical conditions do require unique eating plans. In these instances, so always follow the recommendation from your provider.
Our bodies need lean proteins, whole foods, green leafy vegetables, grains, and water. A fad diet will assist you with taking off a few pounds, but once you go back to your regular eating, it seems the weight comes back, and sometimes even more than you last weighed. Suppose we trust eating healthy, be patient, and apply all the steps to lose those extra pounds naturally. In that case, we will see the weight come off, and because you have trained your mind during that time, it is now in sync with the new way of thinking and eating. With my clients, we must talk and discuss their triggers for eating unhealthy. It could be past hurts, stress eating, abuse, anxiety, or a demanding job; whatever it is, we talk it through and work to find the solution for the healing to begin. So again, it is a process of changing your old patterns to new ones, and you must have patience. Remember, it took time for you to gain those pounds. It will take time to shred it off; however, in the end, you will look amazing and feel great!
So this is why you chose a healthy lifestyle.