By Jessica Sepel of JSHealthVitamins
Five years ago, I made a commitment to give up dieting for life. I threw out the scales, changed my lifestyle, shifted my thoughts and my approach to food. Now, instead of focusing on my weight, I focus on being healthy. Instead of counting calories, I focus on eating a range of macronutrients. I’ve accepted my body for what it is, and I’ve given up the pursuit of chasing what I thought was the ‘ideal’ body.
My journey is what inspired me, which is now helping women all around the country to live happier, more healthy and more balanced lives. I believe in establishing principles and setting boundaries, which is why I’ve outlined five tips that helped me transform my relationship with health.
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Give up dieting
As a former fad dieter, I know that counting calories is not only exhausting, but is really taxing on the body. When our bodies are tired and depleted, they aren’t able to heal and thrive.
Instead of punishing our bodies, let’s nourish them with the nutrients they need to function optimally. When we treat our bodies with care, we’re better equipped to make informed choices come meal times.
Embrace nourishment
I recommend eating nutrient-dense foods more often. Having regular meals and snacks that contain a balance of the three important macronutrients – protein, healthy fats and fibre – helps to balance blood sugar levels, boost energy and keep you satiated.
As part of a daily nourishment routine, I recommend taking a daily probiotic, having one coffee a day before 10am and sipping on around two litres of water throughout the day.
Change your mindset
To me, living a happy, healthy life means waking up and feeling good in my body. One of the most powerful ways to do this is to express gratitude for the present moment. Every morning, I wake up and say positive affirmations such as, ‘I’m happy, healthy and thankful for the abundance in my life.’
Rather than putting ourselves down and engaging in the ‘not enough’ mentality, it’s time we start being grateful for everything we have in this very moment.
Reduce stress and boost energy
When our bodies are stressed, our cortisol and adrenaline spike, which send us into a ‘fight or flight’ mode. Unfortunately, this is all too common in our 24/7 lives, so finding ways to reduce stress is a must. Finding 10 to 30 minutes a day to take a walk in nature, read a book, meditate or lie on the grass can work wonders for your health.
I also love to practise deep belling breathing first thing in the morning, before meals and before bed. I also recommend getting a solid eight hours of sleep, which is when your body is able to replenish and heal itself.
Connect with your body
Exercise and movement are integral elements of living a healthy life. High-intensity interval training and weight training are great for boosting energy, just be careful not to overdo it. I love to practise yoga as it’s one of the most nourishing ways to focus on the breath and connect with the body. It’s also incredibly cleansing and detoxifying, which boosts wellbeing.
I’m committed to helping people live a much simpler, kinder and more balanced life. I created my 8-week Program to help women all around the world to reclaim their relationship with their health, discover mindful eating and live with balance.
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