| Pass The Vegetables Please
I did it again. I went out of town and left all my healthy habits at home and now I am left picking up the pieces. I woke up today feeling tired, irritable, and totally out of balance. You see, I just returned from five days in Philadelphia at the Annual Session of the American Dental Association where I found myself constantly on the go. My first words to my husband John when he picked me up at the airport, after the “I missed you” were “I need some vegetables.”
Is there such a thing as vegetable withdrawal? The bigger picture is what my body was craving and what my lifestyle was telling me after five days on the go. Some people live their lives “on the run”, or act like they do. New statistics show that our longevity is 70% affected by our lifestyle and 30% by our genetics, and that 30-40% of cancers are based on lifestyle and food choices.
What does this mean for you? Is it time to be honest with yourself and take a look at the lifestyle choices you are making? Can you identify yourself in any of these scenarios?
• You eat on the run – Many times you find yourself short on time or with no time at all and you skip meals or grab a quick fix somewhere which does nothing to nourish your body.
• You are a couch potato - 30-60 minutes of exercise 5 days a week is recommended. How much do you get? People who exercise on a regular basis have more energy and stamina to create the life they want.
• You continue to smoke – The evidence is solid that smoking is deadly.
• You consume too much alcohol – A glass of red wine at dinner is good for your heart, but more is not better.
• You are not sleeping enough – How much sleep do you need to wake up refreshed, ready for a new day?
• You eat poorly – Your diet consists of too many sweets, junk food, and processed food, and not enough fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Coffee is your favorite drink.
• You are involved in too many activities and are spread too thin, robbing you of time for yourself to regroup and refresh.
• You are stressed to the max. The American Institute of Stress determined that stress related illness costs the American economy $100 billion per year.
The good news is that you can begin to make changes in your lifestyle which will get you on the road to living your best life. Begin today.
• Make the time to plan your meals, grocery shop for healthy foods, and be aware of what you are putting in your mouth. Eat a variety of foods, especially those which are colorful. You are what you eat!
• Sit down with your family for meals. Share stories of the day and enjoy the time together. Hire a service to prepare healthy meals for dinnertime if you don’t have the time.
• Slow yourself down. What is the rush?
• Get out and get your body moving. Start slow, set short term goals and then continue to move forward. Exercise with a friend so you can motivate each other. Walk, lift weights, join a health club and take some classes. Find an activity you enjoy.
• Kick the habit. Join a smoking cessation program. If at first you don’t succeed, try again.
• Reduce your consumption of alcohol and get help if you need it.
• Get enough sleep for your body every night. Plan some meditative or reflective time in the evening. Quiet your mind and body at bedtime.
• Say “no” to those activities which are robbing you of your time and energy. Lighten your load.
• Lessen your stress by avoiding negative self talk and controlling your reactions to what others say and do. Toss the “shoulds” in your life and shorten your “to do” lists.
• Take responsibility for your actions and your lifestyle choices. No excuses.
• Call your doctor and schedule a physical exam. Today.
• Increase your social circle and surround yourself with happy healthy people.
• Celebrate your success in changing your lifestyle choices, no matter how small you think the change is.
• Keep the vision on a healthier you.
It’s your choice. When will you begin to make healthier choices and what will they be?
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