Back to the Basics
There are so many conflicting messages about how to get healthy. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If you are just getting started or not seeing the results you want, sometimes, it good to just get back to the basics. Here are my top 3 basics that will elevate your mood, your performance, and overall health.
Hydrate- I can go days and days just drinking coffee and sipping on a single 16 ounce bottle of water throughout the day. I never realized how little I was drinking because, I rarely find myself to be thirsty. I enjoy the warm comfort of coffee, and I'm sure that I am addicted to the caffeine after spending almost 15 years working a night shift. Over the past year, I've suffered thru spans of sheer exhaustion, had more and more joint pain, and have had a considerable amount of brain fog. In just 2 weeks of drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day, and reducing my caffeine intake, (swapping with mushroom coffee) my energy and brain fog have improved significantly. I'm hoping the bone and joint pain will continue to improve as well. Moral of the story, drink your water. Your body is craving it like the tin man craved oil.
Eat Real Food - How much of what you are actually eating is food? Whether you are plant based, Keto, Pescatarian, Protein focused, Fiber Focused, etc, read the labels. All food sold in the US is not actually food. Chemicals disguised as food in a pretty package is not meant to digested. It does cost money to eat well, and if cost is an issue, there are organic options everywhere. Aldi is a great lower cost option, Farmer's markets and Farm stands are also a great way to support local and eat clean food at an affordable price. I personally am finding that I am wasteful and could spend a lot less on food. We all have a story about our relationship with food. One of mine is that, because I grew up overweight, and food was a coping mechanism, I have developed a scarcity mindset around food. I feel like I have to prepare for the apocalypse at all times. I'm working on letting that notion go, but COVID didn't help with my psychosis around not having enough food. The point is, it's just a story. Yes I was an overweight kid and young adult, but I don't need to prepare for the end of the world with food that will kill me anyway. If I'm to prepare, I'd be better off with a garden. I realized that in my pantry, I have processed food items that we buy, but hardly ever use...it sits there.... just in case. All of that takes up space and creates clutter. My goal is to stop buying and eliminate food clutter that doesn't serve a nutritional purpose.
Rest - Rest is so important to recharge your body. If I can recharge my phone, my ipad, and some people recharge their cars, why can't I recharge my body? Being someone who is a driven, type A personality is gift with a price. I'm great at execution, and then there is always something I'm thinking about - Always something else I could get a head start on. It's great to be productive. It's great to achieve, and check off the to-do list, but at what cost? Lack of sleep causes irreparable damage. It puts us at higher risk for certain cancers. It increases risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. If you've ever heard someone say, I'll sleep when I'm dead? Not sleeping will get you there quicker than any of us imagined. My goal is to be super productive in time blocks during the day, but when it's time for rest, the goal is to do just that.
I hope you set an intention for your health and are off to a great start in 2025. If you are feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start, start with the basics - Hydrate, Fuel with Real Food, and Rest. If you find yourself making excuses, connect with me, and we can set up a discovery call to uncover opportunities for accountability.