It seems that everyone I meet lately has some kind of restrictions to their diet.
Just yesterday I realized how truly ridiculous we’ve become – there was a sign outside of an ice cream truck stating Dairy Ice Cream!
Seriously? Since when did it become necessary to emphasis that ice cream contained dairy?
Gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, whatever free..
I’m personally exhausted. We’ve become so overloaded with information that we forget to listen to our own body. We forget that we are all unique and just because someone is allergic to gluten does not indicate that you are allergic. Just because someone decided to go sugar free for months does not mean you have to do the same.
I used to love to keep up with the latest trend – who doesn’t? After all, aren’t we all just looking to keep up with society’s image of what’s fashionable, trendy, and healthy and whatever else people are hashtagging these days? #NoClue
”Information is power”
Said someone clearly not living in 2015
Growing up, I found myself constantly battling insecurities. And let me tell you, it’s a never-ending battle . One day it is fashionable to have a thigh gap, the next day you see the new Victoria secret’s campaign embracing women’s bodies aimed to teach us to love our flaws. If there is one thing I noticed throughout the years, it’s that the media cannot find a balance. It’s extreme. As Britney Spears’ “Piece of Me” suggests, we’re either too thin or we’re too big. We’re either feminists or misogynists. What about the people who are in between?
For those of you who, like me, are tired of being bombarded with health advice – let me share one secret:
PERSONALIZE your life. You are you. You are unique. And no one knows your body better than you do. This month is dedicated to improving our global health and encourage a healthy lifestyle. It is dedicated to you. It is dedicated for us to take care of our body and mind.
So here are four ways to personalize your life without going fifty shades of crazy keeping up with society’s image of beauty:
1. Find a healthy hobby your love.
There are about a billion sports you could try out these days. Forget squats if you absolutely dread them. Forget push ups if your body aches like hell the next day. I’m all for pushing your limits – but, there’s a limit. There’s no point in doing any sport you won’t enjoy. Exercise not only to shape your body – but exercise to feed your soul and mind as well. Try swimming, try basketball, try yoga, hell…try golf if you’re a fan. And most importantly – keep moving! Because at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
2. Moderation is the key.
Cutting certain types of food from your diet will not benefit you. Trust me, I would know. After my fitness instructor gave me a ten minute lecture of why dairy is the source of all evil in my diet, I decided to say goodbye to my favorite yogurt, cheese, and even ice cream. Ironically, two weeks later my body felt like sh*t and my face turned fifty shades of red. My body had no idea what I was doing, and truth be told, neither was I. When I finally started consuming diary again, my face turned back to its original color and my body finally stopped aching. So, please learn this one lesson from me : Don’t cut the food you enjoy out of your life! Your body should get a taste of all types of food – and so should you. Moderation is the key to success – try small quantities of your favorite food and don’t be afraid to actually enjoy it!
3. Drink it up.
Sorry guys, but I’m not referring to your shot of tequila last Saturday night. Your body is composed of approximately 60% of water. So you basically need it – and a lot of it for your body to carry out its basic functions. Not only that, but it helps to energize your muscles – cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids shrivel, which leads to muscle fatigue in the long-run. Water keeps your skin clear and healthy as well as helps your kidneys get rid of all the toxins in your body. For a change, try water with cucumber, water with lemon, water with raspberries or strawberries or mint to add some taste in your life! Trust me, your body will thank you for it.
4. Don’t obsess.
Obsessions can make you absolutely crazy. Obsessing about the foods you eat adds stress to your life, and I’m pretty sure that’s the last thing we all need. You’re going to be hungry all day then end up binge-eating late at night. Stress hormones don’t only slow down your metabolism, making it easier to gain weight, it also increases your blood pressure, gives you acne, and lowers your immune system. There’s no need to add unnecessary stress and anxiety to your life. Live positively, be happy, be healthy, and adopt a state of mind your future self will thank you for. At the end of the day, life’s too short to sweat about the little things.
When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? Yes, there’s always things you can improve, but isn’t perfection simply boring? There’s no such thing as ‘The perfect body’ as social-media fitness entrepreneur Cassey ho successfully showed in her video.
So, when you screw up, skip a workout, or eat a bad meal, it doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human.
Featured image via cottonbro on Pexels
