So on the quest to a better self I realized I need to go the main source that pretty much controls my everything.
My moods, my physical appearance, and how my body works...
FOOOOOD!!!!
With years of going back and forth with all organic, natural, and vegetarian eating habits...
With years of reading blogs, articles, and books about the benefits..
With years of hearing testimonials and negatives from friends, family, and acquaintances..
I finally said to myself, "HEY LADY!!!! Why the hell are you listening to everybody else?! Why not listen (or feel) to what your body is trying to tell you???"
I did just that. It's the best thing I could ever do!
I've always listened to or noticed what my skin and hair was trying to tell me. Especially after finding out at an young age that I can pretty much say good bye or no thanks to anything that isn't natural, sensitive, or fragrance free. Also that most medications tend to react stronger or cause the unwelcome side effects. Therefore, I stopped taking any medications. Limitations... But definitely for the better started at a very young age.
So why did it take me so long to understand the same concepts when it came to food? Maybe because all of it's tasty goodness? Or that I'm OBSESSED with eating? Or perhaps I hated the possibilities of restrictions like many others before me?
I guess it was just that. Limitations... I've never been an all or nothing kind of gal. It doesn't work for me one bit. With that realization I've been very successful with my climb to eating healthy and being considerate to my body.
On that note I would like to say I've been eating great and giving myself the occasional whim of "junk" food in the last three weeks. Fruits, veggies, and grains are my main sources of food. Also, I'm starting to notice how my body reacts to a consistent flow of healthy foods. Even showing me how bad some of the foods and beverages I've grown accustom to loving and craving. Examples...
- I LOVE COFFEE. It's not the healthiest in large amounts and especially not healthy for me since I'm anemic. The coffee bean tends to decrease the absorption of iron. (Bad news bears.) Even though I knew all of this I was still addicted to it's roasted favor, many versions of drinks, and jolt of energy it gave me. In the last couple of months it started to affect me with the combination of awful eating habits.. I was light headed, fatigued, and moody. Anemia was not happy with my choices. So in the last three weeks I gradually stopped drinking coffee. Two venti coffees went to one. Venti went to grande. Then I just switched completely over to tea (mostly green :3). I felt great! Then last week I was feeling very unmotivated at work so I decided to get a coffee drink. Worst idea ever!!!! My body felt heavy and light headed. I was nauseous. Plus I eventually had an awful crash. I had officially realized that drinking coffee was a bad idea for me.
-Milk, Cheese, Yogurt.. OH, MY! Yeah. More cheese the merrier, my good friend! haha. Welp.. until I noticed the difference that a vegan alternative made towards my digestive system. Another plus of being dairy free are the inches lost around my waist. Can I top that with the fact they were almost instant!! Saaay what?! Yep. I'm being for real. Dairy can cause minimal to extreme bloating on people (that's why when people start juice detoxes they lose inches around quickly). I also have more energy because my digestive organs aren't using it up all for they minerals I'm giving my body. If you don't believe me look up how your digestive system works or I just send you a picture of my waist with and without dairy. Haha. I'll do it for science. :p
-Red meat, red shmeat... Two words Italian Grinder. So good but so deadly. Instant food coma for me. It's delicious but it makes me feel heavy. Food is meant to fuel my body not slow it down. It's like gasoline to a car. Why would I put something in the tank that isn't going to get my car from point A to point B. That's my logic that goes with my for my body as well. I don't really eat too much red meat anyways so it wouldn't surprise me if it eventually was cut out all together..
So those were just a few things I noticed once I started eating healthier and listening to my body.
It's like a breath of fresh air.
Eating right is the first step though.
Hydration is the second.
Third is fitness.
I've actually made a fitness plan for my weeks to get me back on track.
-Kickboxing Tues or Thurs or Both! :]
-1 to 2 times a week walking or jogging at least 3 miles.
-2 to 3 times a week focus on my abdominal, legs, and arm exercises.
Minimum goal is to do 2 of these a week but of course goaling for more. This is just attempt to get me back into exercising and making it easy to work around my full time work schedule.
It's all about maintaining then building onto.
Key points I've learn.
-Fuel with the right foods.
-Light foods over heavy.
-Drink LOTS of water.
-If I give in I'll get sick and hate my life... lol
-Food is the foundation to a healthy life but fitness exercises are the building blocks.
I'll keep you updated on new foods, recipes, and exercises I start! Until then think before you eat. I know I do. ;3
