Have Fun with Your Health
/For so many years I took dieting and exercising way too seriously. I was fanatical, and quite often a stick in the mud. It was stressful to live in such a regimented way!
Adopting the primal lifestyle has given me a whole new perspective on health; now being healthy feels like freedom and fun!
Today I'd like to share some of my tips for having fun with your health.
1. Eat only what you love. Seriously, don't eat something you think tastes gross because it's healthy! Everything I eat tastes delicious AND is good for my body. I know you can find healthy food that you enjoy. For example, I hear so many people say they hate vegetables, but then I ask them to try Brussels sprouts roasted in olive oil and sea salt, steamed broccoli dipped in butter, caramelized onions, kale chips, or cauliflower mashed potatoes. Veggies served with a pinch of salt and a generous amount of healthy fat can convert just about anyone!
2. Move your body in ways that feel good. When I lived near a gym I spent hours every week on the treadmill. I hated it, but thought that all that cardio was necessary to maintain my weight. Now I move in ways that bring me joy. I hike, I do yoga, I walk, I do a weekly session of sprints or tabatas. Recently I installed the Chrome extension "Move It" by The PE Geek on my work computer. Every 20 minutes the app pops up on the screen, giving instructions to complete a quick set of exercises. (For example, the one that just popped up said "wiggle your entire body for 10 seconds".) My students and I are having so much fun jumping up from our seats and moving throughout the school day!
3. Relax. I mean this in a few different ways. For example, relax about situations you can't control. I used to worry about going away for the weekend or flying long distances; I would bring copious quantities of my special food so that I wouldn't get hungry. Now I know that I can ALWAYS find something healthy to eat- in any situation- or I can choose not to eat. (Being a fat burner allows me to easily skip meals if I don't feel like eating.) I also think that taking time to relax at the end of each evening (stretching, taking a bath, going on an after dinner stroll, reading a book) decreases stress, improves your health and increases happiness.
4. Celebrate successes, even the little ones! Keep track of all the progress you are making in a success journal. Did you go a whole week without eating any processed food? Did you exchange a few squares of super dark chocolate for your former king sized Snickers? Did someone tell you that you looked fabulous? Write it down and bask in your amazingess. You can also buddy up with a success partner and share regularly.
5. Decide to have fun in the kitchen. I LOVE creating in the kitchen, but I realize that not everyone feels the same. If this is the case for you, think of ways to make meal prep more fun. Change into a cozy outfit. Turn on your favorite, music, podcast, or guilty pleasure TV. Enjoy a fun mocktail, or a glass of wine if you are so inclined. Take the time to arrange your food in an artistic way on a fun plate. Take pictures of your creations and share them with others!