When you turned 16 years old, if someone gave you a brand new car and told you that was the only car you would ever have, what would you do?
You’d probably take really good care of it. You’d get the oil changed on schedule, take it in for maintenance checks, rotate the tires frequently, get it cleaned and waxed often, and have any little issues checked out. You would go easy on the brakes because you want to minimize wear and tear. You would probably even make thoughtful decisions about how much you drive it, and constantly be thinking how you can. You’d be asking yourself, “What choices can I make today to make sure this car lasts me the rest of my days?”
The same approach can and should apply to your body. This body you’re in is THE ONLY body you’re going to have, and it needs to last you throughout your whole life.
We are conditioned to respond to health issues as they arise, but I want to help you realize the power of taking a proactive approach to your health.
It’s never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle. My parents are in their 70s, and it’s so cool for me to see them make the shift toward cleaner eating, as I’ve opened their eyes to the benefits of plant-based eating. My dad has even said that he enjoys the taste of plant-based burgers, and I love that they’re so open-minded and willing to make healthier strides.
In this newsletter, I’ll give you some ideas for taking care of your body so you can maximize your years of good health.
How Long Do You Want To Live?
In my coaching, I like to ask clients high-level, deep questions to get a feel for their current thinking about life expectancy and how that affects the way they live daily. That’s the type of convo that usually sparks the desire to change.
If you got to choose what age you would live until, what would it be?
My answer is 110 years old. I know it may sound crazy, but it’s true. As I go through my days, I have that in the back of my mind, and it helps me make decisions that support living over several decades.
As you contemplate your answer to that question, what’s coming up? Do you think about the average life expectancy and assume you won’t live past that? Do you think about your family members and how long they lived? What fears are coming up?
This week I’d encourage you to think about that question and get really clear on what you want. Of course, we all know there are forces outside our control that could alter the plans we have for ourselves. But our mindset will influence the way we live every single day and thus, determine the quality of our human experience.
Do we operate from a place of limitation and fear, or do we go for the gusto, live large, and live out every single day? Do we live in a place of trust and faith and expect to be taken care of? Nourishing every aspect of ourselves to feel our absolute best plays a huge role in determining the number and quality of our years ahead.
Living to 110 years old is well outside the bounds of the average life expectancy, so given that’s what I’m going for, the choices I make daily are crucial.
Eating fast food isn’t going to get me there. Not working out isn’t going to get me there. Putting toxins in my body isn’t going to get me there.
What’s going to get me there? Treating my body as sacred every single day. Here are five ways I take care of my body every day:
1.) Eat clean
Every time we eat, we are either fighting disease or fueling it.
The good news is that you don’t have to eat clean 100% of the time. I like to set aside a small portion of my calories, between 5% and 10%, to enjoy the foods I love. When I do that, I remove the emotion from it and don’t feel guilty about it. Find the best quality food you can find, and enjoy it.
I’ll kick-start your clean eating with this ready-to-go grocery list that I use every week:
Produce Cold/Frozen Aisles
Asparagus Almond milk Almond butter
Broccoli Cashew milk Pumpkin seeds
Spinach Coconut-milk yogurt Sunflower seeds
Celery Vegan sausage Chickpeas
Carrots Lentils
Mixed greens Wild rice
Cucumber Quinoa
Bananas Black beans
Strawberries
Blueberries
Seasonal fruits
Zucchini
Butternut squash
Red peppers
Kale
Tomatoes
You’ll notice that this list is plant-based, but if you eat meat and dairy, make sure you buy high-quality organic products.
As always, be cognizant of food allergies or sensitivities any time you are trying new foods.
2.) Exercise
Dedicate some time to move every single day. Stretching, yoga, cardio, weightlifting, and going for a walk are just a few of the many ways you can get up and move.
3.) Rest and Rejuvenation
Schedule time for adequate rest and relaxation, and don’t feel guilty about it. It’s not a reward. It’s necessary!
Sleep: Prepare your room for optimal sleep — cooler temps and a dark room.
Naps: Naps aren’t just for kids! Sometimes I grab a quick nap late afternoon. I get up super early, and lately, my workouts have been super- high-octane, so by late afternoon, I need a boost.
Chill: Light a candle, read a book, listen to relaxing music, journal.
4.) Pamper Yourself
Do things to make you feel amazing in the skin you’re in. Here are a few ideas for a little “me time”:
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- Manicure/pedicure
- Massage
- Epsom salt bath
- Exfoliate your skin
- Facial mask
5.) Limit Toxins
Toxins are all around us and are absorbed into our bodies every day. They’re in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the products we use. Minimize or eliminate chemicals and harmful substances wherever you can. Here are a few things you can do:
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- Drink lots of water
- Infrared sauna
- Eat
- Use an air purifier
- Use natural cleaning products
- Drink detox teas
6.) Eliminate What Doesn’t Serve You
Just as important as adding in things that are good for us, we must also look at our lives and decide what needs to go. What do you partake in that doesn’t support a healthy lifestyle?
Here are a few ideas for what to cut back on or eliminate:
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- Cigarettes
- Recreational drugs
- Alcohol
- Artificial sweeteners
- Processed foods
- Unhealthy environments
Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t expect to completely overhaul your lifestyle overnight. Try a few things this week, and as you get used to those, layer on more in the weeks to come.