Focus on the Basics of a Healthy Lifestyle and Feel Amazing

Want to level up your health?

Focus on the basics.

Be relentlessly consistent.

And stay humble and open to new ideas as they come your way ;)

Eat Simply

It can take a lot of trial and error to find a nutrition plan that works for you. Here are a few considerations I tend to come back to:

• My goal is nourishment, not perfection.

• Read labels. Establish a real connection to what I’m putting in my body.

• Eat real foods.

• Moderate cravings but don’t completely deprive yourself— that tends to backfire.

• Make time to meal prep.

If you’re experiencing weight gain or habit changes as a result of the pandemic, commit to making a change! If you’ve been skipping meals or putting yourself through hell by staying in a calorie deficit that’s screwing up your hormones, check yourself before you wreck yourself! When you’re fueling your body well, you will feel energized, not depleted. Lately I’m into breakfast smoothies with Vega Protein Powder, oats, homemade gluten-free waffles, eggs, veggies, rice, beans, lean proteins, shrimp pasta, fruit, and homemade oatmilk/banana ‘nicecream.’

Keep Moving

Movement is medicine, and it’s helpful to keep some diversity in your workout routines.

Lately I’m focused on yoga, running and lifting— and I have also been enjoying hiking, paddleboarding, cycling, swimming, and having dance parties in the kitchen. ;)

What kind of workout do you enjoy doing? Do that.

What kind of workout do you find challenging or out of your comfort zone? Also do that.

Get Outside

Time in nature is profoundly healing on many levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Sunshine gives us a boost of vitamin D and fresh air can boost our spirits. I highly recommend getting outside on a daily basis (weekly at MINIMUM!) if you want to feel amazing.

Make Time for Rest

Give yourself downtime.

Prioritize sleep.

If you are having anxiety or mental health concerns, seek support.

If your body is having trouble resting, make it a top priority to figure out why so you can get better sleep. Sleep is so, so important.

Meditate

Meditation has been a game-changer for me. It’s the difference between feeling pretty good and feeling really good, and there are a ton of benefits:

Make Time for Creativity

What sorts of artistic and creative endeavors do you enjoy? Make space in your life for time spent creating simply for the enjoyment of creating! Even just 10-15 minutes a day can be really helpful especially if you are going through an emotionally challenging time.

Be Willing to Say No

If you want to have a healthy lifestyle, you have to learn great time management and prioritization skills. This means you will likely have to say no to certain things, or to carve out time and make some sacrifices along the way in order to reach your goals.

Here are a few examples of things I am happy to say no to: an invitation to stay out late the night before I’m doing an early morning run, an invitation to eat foods that make me feel like crap or don’t fit with my current goals, an invitation to do something that cuts into my gym time. Ultimately it comes down to small choices that add up over time and you have to be willing to choose what matters most to you.

Keep an Open Mind

Things change. Things will always be in a state of flux and evolution—so remember to stay open-minded to what your mind, body and soul need. Moment by moment, day by day, year by year… our health is always changing and what we need shifts and changes too. If you can stay in a neutral headspace and be willing to go with the flow and not resist what comes your way, you can navigate any health issue while staying at peace.

Keep Committing to Yourself

We live in a world that is full of quick fixes and promises of overnight miracles but health is truly a lifelong commitment. Keep learning, keep trusting the process, keep listening to your body— you’re worth it!