Fit in the City - Leigh Ann Root
The Remarkable Human Body
I'm taking a nutrition course that has opened my eyes, even wider, to how amazing the human body is. We ask so much of our bodies everyday, very rarely remembering how important it is to nourish it properly each day. Our busy schedules and hectic days leave us going for convenience and the fastest of foods. We often forget how important it is to fuel the bodies, so that it functions the way it was meant to.
Just think of all the ways the human body is challenged. Have you ever thought of it's huge job of digesting high fatty foods and processed foods? Or just digesting large amounts of food? How about the environments our bodies live in; exposed to tons of stress, inadequate amount of exercise and insufficient amount of rest. How about the cigarette use and second hand smoke? We know what that can do to the human body! These are true challenges that many bodies must overcome on a daily basis. These are all effects of choices made by the owner of the body. What do we imagine will happen to the poor human body over time? What happens is; the body begins to gain weight (fat), to lose muscle, slows down, function at a much lower level, and basically ages faster. It's like somewhere, along the road, we forgot how to maintain this vital vehicle that we live in.
Isn't it time we start treating our human body like the remarkable machine it is? Without it, where would we be?
Let's start here, ten EASY ways to honor your body every day:
1. Drink water. Get rid of the high calorie, and empty calorie drinks. Replace them with water, your body needs it.
2. Just in case your food choices aren't giving your body what it needs, take a multi-vitamin daily. This will ensure your body receives the appropriate vitamins and minerals essential for daily body functions. Vitamins are not a cure, they won't make you lose weight or get fit. Think of them as a little assistant to good health.
3. Read your foods labels. Educate yourself on what you're putting in your mouth. Check out www.mypyramid.com. This is a great place to begin learning what your body needs in order to operate at it's optimal level.
4. Be accountable for what you eat, don't play dumb when it comes to how you currently fuel your body. You can't make proper changes in your eating habits, unless you're honest with yourself. Start writing down what you eat every day, this will give you an idea on what you're consuming and how much you're consuming on a daily basis.
5. Eat fruits and vegetables every day, these are full of good things your body needs. You know what they are and how to find them in the grocery store! This is a great way to begin eating for better health.
6. Handle your stress with physical exercise. This has better side effects than stress eating, much better! Move in some way every day. If you say you don't have time, that's just another excuse. Everyone can make the time, if it's truly important to them. Exercise doesn't take time out of your life. it puts life into your time!
7. Remember that convenience foods are not so convenient for your body in the long run. Make the time to prepare and enjoy "good for you" foods.
8. Rest, relaxation and getting good nights of sleep are part of a healthy lifestyle. Aim to get these into your life. Your body will thank you by performing at a higher level. When you work out regularly, you'll sleep better, regularly.
9. Don't diet. Diets don't ever work over time. It's hard to deprive yourself of things. Practice moderation, eat smart and move more.
10. Don't be too rigid, allow yourself to do and have the things your enjoy, just keep a healthy balance going.
How do you honor the garage you park your soul in? Does your exterior match your interior? Think about what you require your body to do for you on a regular basis, and begin (or continue) to treat it with respect. Do you hold your body in high regards or do you disregard it daily? Remember that a better functioning body means a better functioning mother, father, sister, brother, friend, employee, community member and the list goes on. Is your remarkable human body functioning remarkably?
