A conversation I was having with a dear friend prompted me to write this article. During our conversation, I heard those words: “I’ll only stay away from carbs until June.” My nutrition brain went into overdrive as I filled her in about the risks associated with leaving an entire food group out of one’s diet. I began thinking about the extremes we go to in order to “look good” or to “lose weight”. We never realize that being healthy and being thin are two different things. After having this conversation, I thought it was time to share something with all of you about me.
Most of you reading this know me. But only a handful of extremely close friends and family know about a very serious illness I battled during 2009. Because of my over-dieting; over-training and under rested lifestyle my body shut down. I mean literally shut down. I began losing liver and kidney function; thyroid function; my heart was put at risk; I lost my ability to have more children; I was losing my memory and my body began using my hard earned muscle for survival. On two occasions while at the doctors office, he questioned how I could possibly be standing and walking around. This was the wake up call of my life. Fast forward eight plus months later, through a balanced diet of clean eating; smarter training; 8 hours a night sleep, patience and a positive attitude, I am happy to say I am almost fully recovered.
My point in sharing this with you is to say that I have been there. Sick; healthy; no energy; lots of energy; in shape; out of shape; having great self esteem; having no self esteem-get it? What I have learned is that living a well balanced lifestyle is the key to physical and mental health. It isn’t about eliminating an entire food group from your existence; it isn’t about 5 hours a day of exercise and it isn’t about dieting. Being healthy is a way of life. You’ve heard it before-it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that is based on eating a diet that is full of pure and natural foods-80% of the time (indulging in a smart way is healthy too!). It is about exercising the body in a nurturing way and resting the body so it can recover and carry you through another day. It is about enjoying leisure activities and being with the ones we love most. It is about having a positive mindset. Oh yeah-and one more thing. An unstoppable spirit!
So what is your first step to “healthy” living going to be?
