Do you dream of waking up refreshed, full of energy and not being able to wait to start your day? Wouldn’t it be awesome to go about your day without constantly thinking of when and what you’re going to eat next? As well as how you’re going to sneak that last doughnut in the office without anyone seeing? (After all, you’ve already had one.)
My friend, this is so very attainable! For you, for me, and for virtually all of us. You just need to know where to start and what the eff to do. Am I right?
Today my goal is to give you a starting place, a guide of sorts, to the things to focus on. Specifically, I’m going to suggest 3 things that you can start implementing today that will bring you closer to accomplishing those goals that each of us has when it comes to how we want to feel. I’ll be curious to hear how it goes and how you feel when you work through each of these steps, so be sure to leave a comment below.
Step 1
You’ve heard this before, I know. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But it’s more than that, though. It’s what you choose to eat that is the most important thing of all. Because you are either setting yourself up for energy, vitality, brain focus and a feeling of empowerment, or for fatigue, stress, moodiness and a feeling of defeat.
Given the choice, what would you prefer?
See, the thing here is, you do have the choice. And it begins with what you choose to put in your body in that first meal.
Opt for protein, fat and fibre – they will nourish your cells and help to keep your blood sugar steady (read: keep you energized all day long!). And when you include these healthy components in your meals, you help to prevent cravings… especially the ones for those high-carb, low-fuel foods. Just. Stay. Away. (from those types of foods) And this is way easier when you’ve provided your body with those awesome nutrients (protein, fibre and fat plus vitamins and minerals).
A great way to get all these nutrients in (especially in a fast, convenient way, because I get it… there’s only so much time in the mornings!) is to make a smoothie. And before you say “yuck” or stifle that yawn, I’ll be the first to admit that yeah, smoothies can be boring, tasteless, and even gross. (Oh yeah, BOOM, I said it.) But friends, they don’t all have to be like that. In fact, one of my missions in life is to show people how delicious healthy eating SHOULD be. Flavour makes it or breaks it, so it’s high on my list of important things.
Some kind of liquid will make up the base of your smoothie (even water does the trick), and adding protein powder is an easy way to, well, add protein! Flax or coconut oil are both excellent fat options, and your fibre can come from frozen berries and/or a banana (and by the way, these also provide awesome, sweet flavour).
Step 2
As much as you can and wherever possible, reduce (or eliminate!) wheat in your life. This is a grain that tends to cause inflammation in the body (all grains have the ability to do this to some extent, but especially wheat), and many people have a hard time properly digesting it. And, it can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and promote excess fat storage, especially around the abdomen. It can also contribute to food sensitivities, poor concentration, skin issues and undesirable digestive symptoms… and this is just naming a few.
It’s amazing how much better so many people feel when they choose to eliminate it altogether, or even just drastically reduce their intake.
Try it; I highly encourage you to.
Step 3
Eat 4-5 cups of vegetables per day. Yeah, I know that’s a lot – and likely way more than you’re used to (and I say that because it’s way more than MOST people are used to!). But you know what? It’s doable. It totally is – you just have to make a conscious effort to DO it.
It’s easy to do, but it’s also easy to forget to do – so make it part of your routine. Every morning ask yourself: What will I be eating today? Answer with a general overview – it doesn’t have to be every specific food within each meal, but make sure you have the bases covered: your protein (ex: meat, eggs, fish, beans, lentils), your fat (ex: butter, coconut oil, flax oil, avocado), and your fibre (aha! This is where the vegetables come in.) 🙂
For breakfast, throw some spinach or other greens into your smoothie, or sauté a bunch of veggies and make an omelette. Lunch can be a salad base with leftover meat/fish/beans on top. And, dinner can be a piece or portion of protein with a side salad and delicious sautéed (or roasted, or baked… you get the idea) veggies.
It’s so totally attainable and it feels SO good at the end of the day when you look back and know that you did it. Not to mention how great you feel because of all the awesome nutrients you’re taking in. Veggies are great for your poop, too, because they provide lots of fibre to keep you regular. Sweet.
I can’t wait to hear how you feel after incorporating these tweaks. Leave a comment below and let me know!
Want to know more?
If you found these steps helpful and you want to learn more of what you can do to achieve your best health ever, then I highly encourage you to check out Lifewatchers. It’s a 10-week course that I’m teaching at Goodness Me! natural food market in Hamilton, Ontario, starting this Sunday. Yup, this Sunday, as in, September 24th! From there, it will run every Sunday afternoon from 1:00-2:30 for 10 weeks in a row.
Lifewatchers was created by the founder of Goodness Me!, Janet Jacks, in her quest to show her customers how easy and doable healthy living really is. It’s been taught now for the past 18 years, and I’ve been teaching it for about the past 7 years. I choose to teach it because I see the huge value it gives to my students and their awesome health improvements over the 10 weeks. It’s honestly incredible.
The above 3 steps are just a sampling of the information given during Week 1 of the course. You also get to try different foods each week that I will prepare for you (and of course you’ll have the recipes for everything!). In fact, in Week 1, you’ll be given an exact smoothie recipe and the chance to taste it in class.
Beyond all the information that we cover, I truly believe that one of the best things about Lifewatchers is the camaraderie. You’re with a group of like-minded people, all with individual and yet similar overall goals. You get to meet up each week in class and follow along on one another’s health journeys… and I have to say, it’s pretty darn cool. You also have the opportunity each week to ask questions and get advice – not only from me, but also from the rest of the group. After all, we all have our own experiences and let’s face it, sharing is caring. Who’s with me?!
Anyway, I’d so totally love to see you there this Sunday. Click here to find out a bit more, and that’s also where you can sign up if you choose to. And I hope you do! You will never regret investing in your health; I 100% believe that to be true. Make sure to choose the Sunday September 24th option – as that’s the one I’m teaching!
If you have any questions or thoughts, don’t hesitate to put ‘em in the comments below.
Hope to see you soon!