Have you been struggling to find your optimal health? Still feeling like you are not really on top of your nutrition, your eating habits, your lifestyle or your cooking skills?
Or are you among the many who struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle due to external circumstances?
It’s time to stop struggling, judging yourself or feeling frustrated with the way you eat. Here are seven strategies that will get you on your way to success in your health today:
1. Accept where you are at and assess your “Why.” Don’t be hard on yourself for where you are. Why is it you want to make a change? Are you looking to lose weight? Manage blood sugar levels? Have more energy? Live a longer life? Set a better example for your children? This has to be personal to you and you have to write it down. What result do you want and ultimately are you willing to commit to it?
2. Get educated. Watch some documentaries on health. Pick up a few books. Don’t know where to start? Try Food and Healing by Anne Marie Colbin.
3. Out with the old. It’s time to clean house. That means cleaning out the things that don’t serve you anymore — time to rid the cupboards of non-foods. Your body will not absorb the good nutrients from the real food you are about to embark on if there is improper digestion or buildup. A cleanse may also be in order. You can clean out some of those bad relationships in your life as well.
4. In with the new. Fuel up on the good stuff. Probiotics, enzymes. Foods rich in fibre that are alkalizing. Find lots of healthy delicious recipes online. Go for the veggies — cabbage, brussel sprouts, greens and salads and make delicious dressings with lemon juice and garlic, olive oil and whole ingredients. Make smoothies in the morning and try some vegetarian dishes in the eves. Curries with vegetables. Get lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Think: Spice, herbs, simplicity.
5. Adopt a healthy mindset. That means out with the excuses! Sorry — no more, “My husband this or my boyfriend that,” or vice versa for some. No more “I don’t know how” or “I don’t have time.” Those are excuses for people who aren’t truly committed. If you made it past step one — you’re in. Now it’s time to work on your mindset to match. Tell yourself, “I do know how to make delicious healthy meals.” You can. Trust me.
6. Find a nutritional consultant. Anyone who really is committed to making change or having success in his or her life needs a coach. You need support and guidance. Accountability and just someone to vent to sometimes is also necessary. That’s what they are there for. They can coach you along to understand your body and its cravings, provide you with recipes, shopping lists and meal plans to follow.
7. Practise non-judgment. You are not ever going to be “perfect” and neither is anyone else. Practising acceptance of others around you and your own little mishaps is part of the journey. Enjoyment and some indulgence is part of living a healthy life.
You are a healthy, happy, radiant person.
The most important thing to remember is that your health is not sometime in the distant future. It will never be “I’ll be healthy when ...” or “after this weekend. ...” Your life is now. Adopt these seven steps and you can have success in health today.
Kristin Fraser, BSc, is a holistic nutritionist and local freelance writer. Her column appears every second Thursday. She can be reached at kristin@somethingtochewon.ca.