A healthy life is a goal that we all want, especially as the years roll by.
You can almost always count on a news report or news feed article telling you that this or that diet, or this or that exercise will give you a healthy mind and body. But how does that translate into your lifestyle?
We know that the old-fashioned diet plans don’t work. We also know that the diet industry is built on this fact.
Diet failure generates profits. The novel Dietland conveys this message, along with feminist vibes, and it is definitely worth reading if you haven’t yet had a chance.
If you are stubborn and want to fight “the man,” this may be enough to motivate you to break free from restrictive diets, processed food, and other pitfalls to good health.
30 Days of Heath and Contentment is our map for building your own healthy lifestyle.
Here, you’ll learn about nutrition and exercise, get motivated, and hopefully find a path forward that works for you.
Even if you can’t dedicate 30 days at once, try just a few days of healthy living. The way you feel could very well encourage you to continue on. Before you know it, it may be 30 days later!
There are no fads or strict rules. This is a place for what we know works. The goal is holistic, too. Let’s take some time for things that make us happy in mind and spirit, because if you neglect happiness, you will never achieve a healthier lifestyle, right?
The Tool Belt
Heart-rate monitor or method for checking heart rate
In order to achieve your optimum exercise goals, you will need to exercise 40 minutes in your target heart-rate range, three times a week. You can self monitor by taking your pulse for ten seconds and multiplying that number by 6. This method assumes that you are able to find your pulse. That isn’t always easy for some people.
To find out about target heart-rate, read more here.
Myfitnesspal App
This is a free app that’s great for a lot of reasons.
First, it doesn’t tell you what to eat, but helps you to make good choices by tracking your intake and reporting back to you your calories, percentage of fat, carbs, and proteins.
Second, you can record your intake prior to starting your day, to use the tracking as a diet planner rather than just a diet recorder.
Third, it accounts for activity in your daily intake. So, if you are an active person, and you get hungry, your activity counts toward increasing your caloric intake.
Exercise Plan
Each day, we’ll plan some exercise, including yoga. Think about what is available to you to get your aerobic and anaerobic exercise. It might be equipment, a walking trail or walking route, free weights, exercise classes, a video or television show, etc. Here are some options for free online yoga classes.
Foods to help break sugar addiction
Another goal for this 30 days is to move away from sugar. To do so successfully requires some substitution of sugar-filled foods with other satisfying ones. Here are some suggestions to have on hand. These are not low-calorie foods, and they aren’t meant to be. They are foods that will help you to get away from eating sweets.
- Nuts and seeds (any variety, though peanuts, sunflower seeds, and pistachios are favorite choices)
- Cheeses
- Fruit (berries, bananas, apples, and oranges are filling and readily available)
- Natural nut butter (nothing but ground nuts!)
- Baked crackers or tortilla chips
- Cooked chicken breast meat or albacore tuna
- Milk or milk substitutes
- Whole grains (steel-cut oats, wheat berries or spelt, brown rice)
- Eggplant
- Low or no sugar added pasta sauce
- Whole wheat pasta
- Eggs, egg whites, or substitute
The Routine
Every day will include some exercise ideas, recipe suggestions, and time for enjoyable activity or reflection. You schedule these in your day as it work for you, and substitute suggestions that work in your life.
Check in for inspiration and ideas. Don’t feel guilty about missing a day, or eating sugar, or cutting exercise short. Our goal is better health and a happier spirit, not self-loathing or feelings of failure.
Every effort is a success in itself!
Cheers to you. See you tomorrow!
This post is not intended to offer medical advice. Check with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise plan.
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