Having a healthy lifestyle might feel challenging at times, specially at the beginning. People tend to make you question your choices and even might make you feel bad because you are being ‘picky’, difficult or different. Being healthy is a journey that takes time to adjust to, it is a never-ending path that might make you feel lonely at times. But don’t worry, many of us are on that path. We want to have healthier lives, better foods, stronger bodies and less disease.
Always remember, when people want to make you feel bad about your lifestyle decisions, it is usually because it makes them feel insecure about their own habits. It reflects themselves, it has nothing to do with you.
What can you achieve by having a balanced diet that includes lots of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, good sources of protein and exercise?
- Recent studies show that cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s can be avoided through diet. Our genes can be turned on and off depending on the type of diet we have. If we have a diet based mainly on animal protein, dairy and processed foods, we are creating a recipe for disaster.
- Stroke and heart disease can also be managed through a good and balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits and unsaturated fats such as nuts.
- As Dr. John McDougall puts it in his research: Genes are being turned on to deal with excesses of fat, protein, cholesterol, and environmental chemicals; all at levels never before faced by past populations. You are not determined by your genes, it is far more complex than that. Not only food can have a great impact on your genes, but also the environment you live in. Having a bad diet, living in a highly-polluted environment and the lack of exercise might turn on those genes that make you sick. Making some changes in your diet and the way you live might help you avoid these changes and make your life difficult.
- During our earlier years, the benefits are not as clear as they are during the second part of our life. I really like a quote I read in the China Study that says: The enjoyment of life, especially in the second half of life is greatly compromised if we can’t see, if we can’t think, if our kidneys don’t work, or if our bones are broken of fragile. Why not make the changes soon to live a healthy life that we can live?
Remember, the type of diet that works for one person might not work for another. We all have specific needs and our bodies function differently. Don’t go around copying what your friends do. Instead find what fits your lifestyle, what you think has the greatest impact on you and what you feel comfortable with. If you are not sure, visit a professional that can guide you and teach you about the different options you have to begin a healthier journey.
Bloomilycious 