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We live in a society of information overload, where we are continually being bombarded with information about the latest health trends, diets, superfoods, you name it. Often, we come to believe and trust in this information and hope that X diet or superfood works for us too. We listen to our friends, our family, and often we don’t question this information or look any further beyond the conversation or magazine article.
If you want to be healthy, to feel good in your body, lose weight, tone up, and have unbelievable energy, you’re going to have to do something that maybe you’ve never done before: get back to the basics, be consistent, and be patient. But what does this mean?
Getting Back to the Basics Diet
The information is out there: you should be eating more fruits, veggies, and grains and less refined processed foods. There are many initiatives out there that look to educate the general public about making healthier food choices. Such initiatives include Canada’s Food Guide and a free online tool called the Eat Well Plate, which provides further information of the main food groups, recommending that half of your plate should be sourced from vegetables and fruits, followed by grains, and then protein.
So please, forget about the latest “superfoods,” “this” and “that,” which will only cost you a fortune. Just get back to the basics, browse the produce aisle at your local grocery store. Buy fresh produce, whole grains, and some protein such as lentils, legumes, or tofu.
If you are someone who doesn’t cook, start practicing your craft in the kitchen. There is an unlimited wealth of recipes that you can find online or in stores to get you started. Alternatively, you can also start looking for healthier options if you buy premade meals or eat out often. I am not saying to overhaul your diet overnight, but to start making some transitional changes that are manageable for you to start.
Does this mean that you should strictly eat fruits and veggies every day with no pleasure foods? No. What it means is that the majority of your diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, followed by grains, and protein sources. If you feel like having a cupcake or some chips (or whatever floats your boat), then treat yourself.
Physical Activity
The health benefits of physical activity are undeniable. While there is still some debate as to how much physical activity is required to achieve health benefits, it is widely acknowledged and accepted that at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as a 2 mile walk) would see a dramatic decrease in the incidence of most chronic lifestyle diseases.
People often underestimate the power of walking as a form of physical activity, because it isn’t daunting nor is it painful for most. Walking is just another form of getting from point A to B. Walking is an excellent form of physical activity for those who are just looking to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle, as it helps to burn fat easily as it keeps your metabolism in the fat-burning zone and burns a decent amount of calories to boot. So if you’re not a gym goer or not too sure where to start, why not start by walking 30 minutes a day, or perhaps every other day. There are apps readily available for your mobile device to track your steps or you could purchase a device such as a Fitbit to help you stay on track and motivated.
Be Consistent
To be successful in anything – your health included – consistency is key. If you want to be healthy as f*ck, you have to have to get out of the dieting mentality and into the lifestyle mentality. Dieting is a short-lived plan that is often uncomfortable and painful as most plans focus on restriction. Diets don't often set you up for long-term success, but short-term. A lifestyle is something that becomes habitual and is sustainable over the long haul and is one of abundance, not restriction.
This also means remaining consistent with your diet and physical activity if you have plateaued and hit a barrier, rather than giving up. There are going to be barriers along the way, but if you want to be really successful, you need to be consistent.
Be Patient
Whatever state you may currently be in, you didn’t get there overnight. Be realistic. If your goal is to lose x amount of weight, set a realistic timeline that you want to achieve this by, as long-term, sustainable weight-loss should happen over time gradually. Just like if you want to lift x amount of weight, you’re going to have to start with the lighter stuff first, while maintaining proper form, before you reach your goal.
So there you have it: the three steps to becoming healthy as f*ck. Before I wrap this post up, I want to remind you to be kind to yourself. With anything new, you’re going to stumble and fall, you may binge on cookies or chips, but it doesn’t mean that you have to stop because you had a setback. Just know that the next meal is a new meal and that tomorrow is a different day, and that you can decide to take actions towards a healthier lifestyle. So don’t be hard on yourself, please be kind.
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