Health Tips

Disclaimer: I'm not a professional at this and realize that different methods work for different people.  This is just from my own experiences with my health, and I thought that it might help someone else as well.  Because none of us are perfect and I'm gonna be real with you about my health and my choices (because sometimes, you just gotta enjoy a really good cheeseburger!).

So, as I've been changing up my diet and lifestyle I've definitely been finding ways to do it and ways to not do it.

Of course in the past, I've talked about how controlling I've been before with my diet once I start focusing on that.  So controlling I reach the point of being malnourished and starving, and end up completely falling off the wagon with one binge.  So, what's been different this time around?  I thought I'd put together a list of the things I've found helpful that work for me.

First of all, not thinking of this as a diet.  In fact, there are no foods that are off limits for me.  Sometimes I even have a lot of the food most would consider "bad" (I don't like to think of any food as bad-- if it tastes good and I enjoy it, just because it isn't the healthiest doesn't mean it's bad).  Once I start thinking like that, the days that I don't eat those foods become easier.  Saying no becomes easier, because I know that in a few days at dinner with friends or at a family function, I will get to enjoy something I really want.

Walking has become a great form of exercise for me.  I started out walking because I wanted to start running.  I knew I was nowhere near enough in shape for running, so I would walk first and build up.  As time went by, however, I realized how much I truly enjoy my walks.  And how much I completely hate running.  So why make myself miserable by trying to cave to the pressure of being a runner (I've always felt like running is the hippest, most acceptable form of exercise, and all other exercise is inferior).  Ok, so walking longer distances takes longer than running them.  But I've found that it really makes me slow down and have time to myself that is totally uninterrupted.

Ok, so as a former fast food junkie and junk food lover, how have I found healthy foods that taste good?  Well, I simply eat the things I like that are healthy.  Keeping a dozen boiled eggs in the fridge, bananas and natural peanut butter, apples, as well as other healthy snacks on hand is helpful.  I find that cutting portions significantly doesn't work for me.  I'll always go back for more, and end up eating more than if I would just take what I want at the time.

And another thing?  I don't worry about fat content in food.  I'm not saying I just eat tons of high fat foods, but I think one of the biggest failures in the past for me was trying to cut fat out almost completely.  Talk about never feeling satisfied.

I think the number one thing I have done that has helped me the most is cutting out almost all processed, white carbs and sugar from my diet.  Believe me when I say I was eating a lot of that crap every day.  Lots of times every day.  Once I cut those from my diet, one of the first things I noticed was that I wasn't bloated anymore.  I didn't realize how much that stuff was wreaking havoc on my system.  Sometimes I still have some, but again-- not every day.

So those are my helpful tips when going healthy.  At least it's what works for me.  Different things work for different people.  I know some people can't allow themselves access to any of their favorite foods at all.  Some people have to have a little cheat food every day.  It's different for everyone, but I thought I'd just share the things I've learned and adapted to my own lifestyle in the past several weeks.

I have lost about 16 pounds so far, but honestly the best thing I've gotten out of this is how good I am feeling.  Of course, I've dealt with people making rude comments.  But the energy that I now have is the best thing I could ask for.  And that isn't to say I don't have bad days.  I had one last week, as you know if you follow my blog.  But overall I feel like my health and well-being has done a 180 and that feels good.