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2.13.2010

taking back my health

Your body is your temple. 
The greatest wealth is health. 
You know how it goes...

So why is it that so many of us, (especially we Americans) ignore this and all too often overindulge ourselves? We eat to celebrate, we eat when we're stressed, we eat when we're sad. We don't get enough exercise. We don't get enough sleep. We try to cram 40 hours into a 24 hour day. We overwork and we underplay. 

Then we get sick. 
Or we get stressed. Or run down. 
We get tired. 
We get broken. 
We ignore what our bodies are trying to tell us. 
Slow down. Recharge. Nourish. Move me. 
Balance me. 
But we push on, trying to get one more thing done. Ignoring the signs. Carrying on.

And I am sooooo guilty of this. 

And I am already paying the repercussions and I don't like that. Now more than ever I realize that I cannot take my health for granted. Which is why I am taking back my health. 
That's right, body...did you hear me?
I AM TAKING BACK MY HEALTH.

Now, I am not really an "unhealthy" person. I choose lots of fruits and vegetables. I don't eat meat. I do yoga when I can. I run when I can. I dance while I clean the house ;-) I just feel like I can be doing more. More exercise, more whole foods.

So, I am taking back my health.
Not only for now, but for 5 years, 10 years, 50+ years from now. 
I want to be healthy for all those I love. I want to raise a healthy family someday. I want to be around, and be energetic and feel my best. I want to be healthy because this is the body that God gave me and I should be taking care of it. How can I do what I was put on this earth to do if I am too tired to do it? I want to be healthy for me, because when I am making good choices and feeling balanced, I feel my best. 
And I like feeling my best. 

All this sounds good, right? So what am I going to do?
Well, for starters I am going to really evaluate my diet. I eat pretty well now, but I am going to focus more on making sure that at least 80% of the foods I eat are organic and clean foods, and that my meals are well balanced. I am going to schedule more exercise in, no matter how difficult that may be.
And I am not going to just talk about it. I am going to do it. 
Because I cannot afford not to.

Now, this doesn't mean that I am never going to eat a french fry or a s'mores sundae again, just make better choices when I do...like choosing hand cut, unprocessed fries or homemade ice cream. I don't think this will be too difficult as I do not eat much of that stuff now.  But again, I feel like I can be doing more.
Like eating at the dining room table with the tv off a couple more nights a week. We try to do this at least once a week, but I am thinking we should bump up our goal. 

I'm going to take advantage of all the great resources out there as well, including this book and the blogs below.








And I am just going to remind myself that being healthy is a choice. And a good one. The most important one, in fact. 
See ya, sluggishness. Optimum health, here I come!

Hmm, perhaps I need a new apron for my new cooking adventures? ;-) 

And so I leave you with this thought...
'If you want to do your best for future generations of humanity, for your friends and family, you must begin by taking good care of yourself.' ~ Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche

If you know of any healthy living books, blogs or websites that you would recommend, please pass them along!  I'd love to hear what you all do to keep up your health and feel your best.

10 comments:

CDC said...

good for you, girl! i just signed up for zumba today:) will we be able to eat healthy at croptopia??

sharyncarlson said...

Love this post! Thank you for organizing so many great resources on the topic. Something we started doing last year is purchasing a share of a local CSA. Each week we'd get organic and locally-grown produce, with the option to purchase organic eggs, too. Whatever the farmer was harvesting was what we'd get that week. Loved it so much.

melissa said...

cheryl, yay! glad you are trying it again!!

sharyn, we have one in the city we live in, but there is a waiting list to get on it :-( keep your fingers crossed for me!

emma wallace said...

Great post! I'll definitely have to visit some of those sites you mentioned.

I went on a whole healthy regime starting a couple years ago and I love it! I still allow myself sweet treats (I'd have to!).

iamemmamusic.blogspot.com

Krista Lund said...

very inspiring and there are a lot of ways i could improve my health. i need to think about this seriously and start making some changes. thanks for the reminder.

Kathy K said...

glad you found some good blogs thru mine. I love your spring pictures. I really liked reading your 2/13 post. I just finished reading Food Rules by Michael Pollan....simple rules to follow. I'm going to look up the book and check out the sites you posted. Good luck on your journey!

Kellie Collis said...

Thank you for the fabulous links! x

Meghann Andrew said...

Way to go girl! These blogs look fantastic. I just ordered Food Rules too, and am waiting on it to arrive in the mail.

Unknown said...

Great Post, Melissa!!

I'm with you on the no meat thing. It's not for everyone, but since I became a vegetarian, I've never felt better! Bonus..my skin has completely cleared up in the process! As for the workouts I prefer low impact like pilates or cardio ballet.. and I LOVE Tracy Anderson's DVDs!

I am going to check out some of your recommends. Thanks! xo

Sian said...

A great post! Very inspirational and, as always, I enjoy your stylish recommendations.

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