For the last week I’ve been highly focused on boosting my immune system, repairing any damage from the swine flu and increasing my chances of a healthy winter! Just focusing on 5 main daily goals, for one week has already made a huge difference; my skin is better, I feel lighter & fitter and everyone says I’m glowing (honestly I’m sure I’m not, I just think I look more normal after a rough swine flu summer!).
When I decided to make more of an effort, I felt overwhelmed, where would I start, what about cravings, did I have time to increase my activity level. I decided the only thing I could do was focus on 5 things each day and wow has it worked. Please remember I’m not a health professional, I’m just sharing what worked for me & my body!
1. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day – Last week I was managing 5 or 6 and now I’m usually getting 8 in! This has such a dramatic effect on my skin, it is definietely my miracle skin care product (I’ve written about this here). I start the day with slowly drinking a pint of water as soon as I wake up, I find this gets me on the right foot! I’ve also found having a glass of water before my meals and when I would traditionally get hungry (10 am, 3pm) has really helped!
2. Making sure I get a minimum of 3 fruits and 3 veg every single day! This means I’m very aware of what I’m eating and making sure my meals are balanced, the added bonus is that I fill up on healthy things and don’t crave less healthy choices! Here is a sample of what the menu plan for today is:
Breakfast: 1 Wheetabix with milk, cut up grapes and a handful of blueberries
Lunch: Homemade pasta with mince (topped with cheese), peas, 1 beetroot, 1/4 red pepper, 7 strawberries, homemade chickpea patty (original recipe is for burgers, but these were made much smaller)
Dinner: A slightly modified version of Lentil & Eggplant (aubergine) salad
3. Exercising for one continual hour every single day! This morning I managed a 75 minute swim, this evening I plan to go for a walk. I don’t worry if I can’t do both every day, as long as I get one hour of solid exercise then I’m happy!
4. Taking time to rest! Yesterday evening I was tired so I lay down and read for a bit and then enjoyed an hour nap! My body needed it, my soul needed it, so I was happy to oblige! I’m trying to take time each day to get rest, part of that is going to bed at a reasonable hour, part of it is not surrounding myself with constant list of things to do. My body needs rest and it doesn’t make me weaker, but stronger!
5. Pray – There is something about devoting your time to include prayer (or for some that might be meditation). For me, making sure I read my Bible each day, pray about my own life, my community, those I know in need and those in need worldwide, is really important. I know I feel healthier, saner, more relaxed, more at peace when I study the word and rest in Him. It is not always easy to find time, sometimes at the end of a long day it is the last thing I want to do, but I know peace comes with time to reflect, time to praise, time to repent and time to hope!
Well, I hope you enjoyed what works for me! I’d love to know what do you do to get healthy and keep balance in your life?
I think rest is key, trying to make sure I get a decent nights sleep (well minus the baby nursing) has been a huge help and refresher to me during the days. Of course diet, exercise etc. also play a huge part, but if I can’t think straight because I’m so tired, the other areas are harder to keep up on.
Frugal trenches… I love it! We’re quite the frugal ones here (even my trip to Paris is on a dime… you’d hardly believe it!). To stay healthy I eat mostly raw vegan foods, use natural supplements, do yoga, meditate, pray, etc… I always feel that nutrition is the first place to start for a healthy body (prevention is more powerful than most things, I think). Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you’ll come again, and I’ll be sure to visit you again too!
By the way…I am very much on board with the downsizing journey. About 6 years ago my husband and I read “Affluenza: The all-consuming epidemic” and it was life-changing. Then I went on to read “Your Money or Your Life”. It has changed our perspective greatly in terms of embracing a simpler, less consumer-based lifestyle. We reduce, reuse, recycle, and re-craft as much as possible. My other blog (which I share with a friend) is all about re-crafting: http://frenchpicnic.blogspot.com
Best,
Marie
Hi there-you’ve definitely got an excellent balance going on-very inspirational indeed!!
I’ve been working on this too! I’m doing a detox diet this week and gradually increasing my exercise frequency. Drinking water. Going to bed by 10 pm. Napping as needed. I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time!
I should add that I am also taking several supplements, but I am a good bit older than you are, so you probably don’t need to incur that expense yet.
What lovely food and very good & welcome advice
I’m glad you are feeling better. Certainly for me – when I need to take care of myself (which truthfully, is always – I have a full time job, husband, and toddler…I *can’t* get sick).
1. Sleep. I aim for 8 hrs a night. Sometimes 9. This weekend? I napped all three days.
2. Good food. I aim for 7 fruits and veggies a day. (I cannot even keep up with the tomatoes in my garden right now.)
3. Tea and water. I have this caffeine addiction. I know it. I feel *much* better when I drink tea instead of soda. I also aim for 8 glasses of water a day.
4. Exercise. I do this 6 days/week. I am training to run a 1/2 marathon, so I have to be *very* careful to take care of my body and not be too hard on it.
5. Down time. Sometimes, ya just gotta blow off cooking something for dinner, make a sandwich instead, and plop down on the floor with your kid and do a puzzle. Or play with play-doh. While drinking a glass of wine.
Marie, those are both very good books!
I’m glad you’ve found your needed balance, it sounds like a great plan.
Like you and other commenters I find sleep is key- I’m a napper- when needed, as well as aiming for 8-9 hours each night.
I also like to get fresh air- I try and walk to and from work each day and try and get out again at lunch time, even if I can only make a loop around the block!
Solitude- I think that’s equivalent to your number 5- my favourite method is to run a bath and shut my self away with a cup of tea and my thoughts.
Nice pictures! I loved the last part of this post about praying. I started a prayer request blog along with my main blog for anyone who is in credit card debt. I pray every day for them.
Nice blog.
Thanks for sharing.
Janie
I just gave up caffiene completely – it was challenging but I can honestly say after 6 days without it that I already feel SO much more better. I sleep better too as I go to bed when I’m tired (however early) and don’t use caffiene to keep me awake for a few extra hours. But I also wake earlier which is actually really nice – makes for a nice start to the day.