There is no amount of money in the world can buy your health, healthy is not a fad, going on a health kick just sounds weird because your health is forever, it’s your life.  Making healthy choices may not always be easy due to circumstances and/or situations, yet these choices have nothing to do with will-power.  The “healthy” life isn’t as strict and painful as you may think, it’s not about giving anything up or quitting your current unhealthy habits– It’s stacked up to knowledge of self and external factors combined, then using that knowledge to make better conscious choices that just become a standard unforced discipline that you live by (naturally).

An active lifestyle is a life long commitment, but don’t attempt with superficial motivations; things like weighing in or measuring yourself too often only add stress and lead to possible disappointment.  Focus rather on your improved bill of health; the euphoric feeling after and having more pep in your step for everything else you do in life.  Furthermore, appreciate the progress and strides you are making in your fitness regime; things like actually making it to the gym, increasing your intensity,  adding an extra mile to your run, completing an extra circuit on your routine, experimenting with something new… like Yoga!  When the focus is shifted, the pressure is lifted and positive changes seriously start happening.

Eating healthy comes down to two very simple understandings:

1) What exactly are you chewing on?  Be very aware of the food you are consuming– everything down to where it came from, how it was grown, raised and prepared.  Read the label; packaged and processed foods are chalk full of chemicals and things we don’t need, nor should we ever put inside our mouths.  Understand what foods you require for nutrients versus reaching for foods with little or no nutritional value.

2) How much do you eat?  This is unique to your body type and will change slightly based on activity levels and the rate your body converts food into energy (metabolism).  It’s up to you to listen to your body; eat before you reach the point of starvation and monitor your portion sizes.  It’s not about eating perfectly, however after understanding what foods you need to eat to nourish your body, the hunger for junk foods will subside (food and drink cravings are a result of a lack of required nutrients).  For a full explanation of your cravings check the food cravings chart.

Your health depends on a clear understanding and application of the know-how of your body and it’s needs.  With this applied knowledge you’ll never need a start date, you’ll never go on another diet or need to cheat.  A healthy lifestyle brings joy and natural highs to harmonize the lows of life you may be going though.  Feeding your body with trash as fuel won’t be as appealing, however from time to time you will try something sinfully decadent– but at that point it won’t even matter.

The real trick to all this stuff is that there is no trick, eat and do things that you enjoy in moderation.  Life is a constant flow and mix of changing seasons, circumstances, situations and emotions that all tie into your style of living.  Feeling and looking great come from the inside and transpire outwards, but only when they are apart of you– naturally.  Pure enjoyment in this life is when what you really want is aligned with what you actually do.

When you have your health anything is possible, but when you don’t– nothing else matters.  It’s up to you to decide what you want for you today.