Just like a diesel engine that will not run on unleaded gasoline, our bodies cannot run optimally without feeding it the proper fuel. Nutrition is as important to our wellness as is drinking clean water and breathing unpolluted air. Most fitness professionals know this, and many of them dedicate their lives to eating clean, which in part means eliminating foods that are processed, overly-refined and calorie dense. The emphasis is on fresh and local produce, lean protein and complex carbohydrates. High-fat and sugar-laden foods are avoided, as is alcohol.
There are many reasons why you should take care when choosing the food you put into your body. Besides eliminating saturated fats in order to maintain a healthy body weight, there is also the issue of getting enough nutrients and avoiding unhealthy food additives. The goal of optimal nutrition is to get all you need from your food, without having to supplement with vitamins. Think about what's in the food you usually eat. Processed foods will be filled with man-made chemicals, many of which have been linked to thyroid disease, diabetes, and even muscular dystrophy.
For optimum wellness, choose foods that have been touched as little as possible by man. This means choosing fresh fruit and vegetables, whole or unrefined carbohydrates, hormone-free meats and dairy, and natural sugars such as honey or stevia. Foods from an organic or wild environment are best, and be sure to avoid trans-fats (fats listed as partially hydrogenated). Choosing your food-fuel this way will help eliminate added chemicals and preservatives, while allowing your body to receive all the nutrients Mother Nature's bounty has to offer.
At the same time, carry this same concept into other areas of your life by considering the quality of your daily activities and experiences. Do you spend time with positive, productive people regularly? Or do you find yourself surrounded by negative, judgmental people who leave you feeling drained? Are you fulfilled by your work, or do you spend much of your day feeling bored and uninspired? Do you make time for creative pursuits, spiritual connection and personal development on a regular basis? Or are you so busy taking care of everyone else's needs that you neglect your own?
Just like poor quality food results in physical deficiencies, constant pressure and dissatisfaction from our life experiences will deplete us mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
The greatest challenge is knowing where to start to improve the quality of our lives. It's overwhelming to contemplate improving our diets, changing careers, creating a new spiritual practice and more - but we don't have to do it all at once!
Start by reviewing how you feel about the major parts of your life: physical health, mental attitude, relationships with your spouse and family, social connections, career path, financial situation, and spiritual practice. How satisfied are you with these areas? Rate them on a scale of 1 to 10, ten being very satisfied and one being not satisfied at all.
With any area that rated high for dissatisfaction, consider just one thing you can do to help improve it. It might be as simple as reducing your sugar intake, making one new friend, applying for a better job, telling your spouse you love him or her, and so on.
Small changes can add up to big results if done consistently over time. As you begin to "clean up" one area of your life, don't be surprised if you suddenly feel inspired to do more simply because it makes you feel so good to be making positive changes. However, try to avoid taking on too much at once because burning yourself out is one sure way to fall back into old habits. Simply take it one step at a time, one day at a time and before long you should see some wonderful changes taking place before your eyes.
Quality Affirmation: I honor myself with high quality nourishment on all levels. My body, mind and spirit deserve the best of everything.
