Exercise - Fit For Life!

We have all heard it before. Proper diet and exercise is the recipe for a long life. However, there is much more to it than that. First off, what is a proper diet? I choose to use the word lifestyle as diet refers to restrictions and that sets a bad taste in our mouth about how we eat. Each of us will eat differently according to how we feel about food. For example, when I eat any kind of dairy, I do not feel well. I become irritable, my tummy hurts, my eyes become cloudy and I get sinus irritation. The same goes for wheat. So, to improve my own health, I chose to eliminate these foods from my life. Now I have heard some people say that it must be hard to eat then, or what is left, and the answer is: no it is not hard and there is a lot of food left to eat. I choose to eat foods that improve my energy level and keep my sinuses clear. I choose to eat what my body wants, not what my head wants. In relation to this, all of us are the same. We are conditioned at a young age to incorporate dairy and wheat as part of a healthy DIET, however, the more studies are done on this, the more we are finding that this is not the case.

Fruits and vegetables, grains, brown rice, wild rice, brown rice or ancient grain pasta, sprouted grain bread (made without wheat), chicken or turkey, nuts, seeds and cranberries, and goat cheese or soy cheese is what I eat now. This way of eating works for me, but it may not work for every one. It is up to each of us as individuals to find what works best for us. If you feel ill after eating, or uncomfortable in some way, or experience runny or plugged nose, itchy or watery eyes, itchy skin, stomach upset, headache or migraine, it is most likely you ate something your body cannot digest. If this happens, it is worth looking into further.

Along with a healthy eating plan, it is important to add in some exercise. For me, I have tried the really hard and fast paced exercise, but I do not like it. I feel better when I do low impact aerobics, small weights, walking and yoga. These exercises are something I will stick with over the long term. I also add to that rebounding (jumping on a small trampoline), which helps remove toxins from my lymph glands and improves my blood flow and oxygen levels. As little as 15 minutes a day can make a big difference over the long term, and everything you do in your day adds to that. So take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, park furthest from the doors of the store to walk further, take a walk after supper to improve digestion, doing housework or yard work also counts. Everything you do adds to your overall amount of exercise. It can be really easy to add in small things like lunges from room to room as you put away the laundry, or doing squats in the kitchen while you are cooking supper, or extra lifting of the grocery bags before you put them away. It all counts and isn't that great to know?

Also, getting the proper rest is crucial. That doesn't just mean sleep at night, which is important, but also we need down time. When we continue to be busy all day and all night, our bodies do not have a chance to rest, which is vital to our overall health. We can do this by talking with a friend or family member on the phone, reading a book, watching our favorite shows, having a bath, cuddling with our pets or our children, hugging our partner, taking a class, starting a hobby; doing anything that is joyful and will help you destress is beneficial. AND yes, getting the proper amount of sleep. For me that is at least 8 hours per night. Anything less leaves me feeling groggy and tired the next day. I find I also respond better when I go to bed before 11 pm. If I go to bed after that, I feel more tired and have less energy. Our bodies are just made that way. Our circadean rhythm is set so that we are in bed by 11 pm and up at 6 or 7 am. That seems to work the best for me. Find what works for you and make sure you stick to that routine. Varying too much makes it harder for our bodies to recover from any missing sleep.

To help you get to sleep quicker and easier, try these tips. Do not eat anything after 8 pm. If you do, your body begins to wake up again to digest your food instead of slowing down for sleep. Make your room as dark as possible to help your body recognize bedtime. Limit caffeine intake at night as well as caffeine is a stimulant and again, will keep you awake. Instead, try herbal tea such as peppermint, chammomile or hibiscus for a refreshing and calming drink before bed. It is also a good idea to shut off all electronics an hour before bedtime so your body has a chance to start shutting down as well, improving your sleep and allowing your body to reach its dream state.

If you are having trouble in any of these areas, there are a lot of things to help in the way of supplements and herbs. I have studied this and worked with these methods for many years and recommended many of them in my practice.

So eat, exercise and relax is my prescription for a good life. Have fun, laugh lots, love lots, and be gentle with yourself. Small changes every day will help you make improvements that will stick for a lifetime. And that, my friends, is the goal. Have a healthy and fun day!!