Being back in New York City this past week shooting food photography, pictures of my journey through culinary school and doing interviews with different experts in areas around food, lifestyle and body image has been so inspiring.
I was so fortunate to spend time with the one and only Mastin Kipp of thedailylove.com from Oprah’s Supersoul Sunday as he spoke candidly about the journey to health, wellness and pursuing a life you love.
I have read his blog daily for the past year and a half and it has truly helped me not just think differently, but act differently in my life and in my perspectives around health.
Mastin came from being a couch surfer sugar addict to a huge success in life, love and on a journey towards health.
He speaks so honestly and from the heart about his truth around addiction and the struggles he continues to have and how to step through them.
“You have to take courageous action,” Mastin says. Action is the only thing that matters.
Taking action can act like an anti-depressant in your life.
The advice goes synergistically with food and lifestyle choices. I truly believe that living a life you are passionate about is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.
I think we really have to step up to the plate to make it happen. In our food choices. In our lifestyle choices. In the people we choose to spend time with. In our actions towards our dreams.
What thoughts come to mind for you? Reflect on the people you spend time with. Reflect on your own behaviours. What doubts come to mind? What courageous action would you need to take to live in a more healthful way? In a more inspired way? What if you took it? What would your life look like in six months? What body could you have in six months? What career shift could you have? What kind of love could you attract?
Six months is a long time to make some significant changes for the better. But action needs to be a part of it and breaking free of the excuses behind why we won’t take it.
We all tend to have so much doubt. So many excuses. So many negative thoughts.
Trust me. You are not alone. Action doesn’t necessarily need to be some grandiose life-changing move into an epic life-on-the-edge lifestyle. (Although, why not?) It just has to be one form of action.
Just the act of choosing to be kind to others is nourishing.
Breaking out and doing something that makes you feel free is nourishing.
Choosing to stop talking about it and start doing it is nourishing.
Choosing to not judge others is nourishing.
Starting your exercise regime is nourishing.
But you have to act on it. This week, give yourself permission to take courageous action towards your health. Towards your heart. It could just be the healthiest thing you could do for yourself.
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.