It Should Be Easy
Being healthy should be easy; it’s the way most of us entered this world; healthy, hungry and kicking our feet. We holler when we need food and stretch when we wake. We toddle into years when we become self-sufficient at things like eating and moving- how amazing to shove smooshed carrots into our mouths and scoot along the floor, working to that incredible moment when our legs will hold us up and we learn to run!
Being healthy should be easy; we’re born to be happy, free of stress and content to be hopelessly dependent on someone to comfort us. We sleep when we’re tired and learn the joy of snuggling up with the ones who love us.
Being healthy should be easy; it’s our self-regulating birthright to use our instinct to demand things that make us whole; eat when we’re hungry, move when we’re awake, explore the world around us, love the ones who care for us, trust the ones who created us, believe in the wonder of the One who created it all.
Being healthy should be easy but society would tell you otherwise. There is always a new food or pill or method or prescription that will make “being healthy” effortless. “There is no need to struggle” they say. “Lose weight without sweating… eat what you want!”
We listen to the ads, become consumed with fear of missing out on something “easy”, and spend millions of dollars to acquire something that changes who we are.
Easy takes away our joy by making the “good things” seem hard.
I had the privilege to help thousands of people lose tens of thousands of pounds by changing their diets and moving their bodies. But if I polled them today, I’d guess they’ve gained it all back plus thousands more.
Why?
We’ve been conditioned to think that living a healthy life will be a deprivation filled existence where healthy food will taste bad, exercise will hurt and everyone else will be out having fun without us.
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I recently completed a challenge, ominously named “75Hard”. My publisher threw the idea out in the middle of our Hope*Books cohort’s weekly check-in. He was starting at the beginning of the new year and offered us the accountability of a group.
I did some research and read the book, because the name alone indicated it was everything I’ve been running from for the last several years. Those of you who know me, know I’m anti-hard.
Andy Frisella, the founder of this self-regulated list of tasks, created the plan to reach a fitness goal. Throughout his experience he discovered the psychological benefits of discipline were advantageous in many ways. At first, his all-or-nothing approach still seemed restrictive to me; check the boxes each day. Miss a day = start over. But after learning more, I decided to follow through with the challenge:
Workout twice a day for 45 minutes, once outside
Drink a gallon of water
Take a progress picture
Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book
Follow a diet
No cheat meals or alcohol
After talking it over and discussing how we would accomplish the tasks, Jeff and I decided this would be a great activity for us to share as we set out on our first ever “snow-bird” excursion. With three months of great weather guaranteed, why not do our very best to better ourselves?
What I learned was my body responded quickly to good things; fresh air, good food, water, movement and sleep. The fog that had been hovering around my brain followed suit, lifting quickly with the reduction in sugar and alcohol and the addition of sleep. It was easier to process what I read and soon the evidence of my efforts showed up in my photos.
I also learned discipline is different from restriction and trusting someone else to establish the guidelines made me more prone to follow through. I enjoyed the experience and pushed toward the seventy-sixth day surprisingly without agony.
Now that it’s over, I’ve learned a few things about myself and I’ll continue in the following ways:
Workout twice a day for 45 minutes, once outside- I was fortunate enough to be in a warm, sunny climate. I often accomplished both of my workouts outside. Remember, a workout can be endurance, strength, balance or flexibility based. If you don’t belong to a gym, set up a space to move… it might be in your bedroom or the garage. Open the door to let the fresh air in and grab a jump rope, do a tabata, lift some weights. There are no space or equipment requirements- just move.
I’ll continue to do one workout that fits the above criteria, and I’ll take a walk sometime each day. I’ve discovered I do some of my best thinking and praying while my body is moving- it’s the most wonderful form of multitasking!
If you’re walking alone, leave the earbuds at home; enjoy the sound of the ocean or the ripple of the wind through the trees, the birds talking to one another or the buzz of the bees. Breathe in deep; notice the smell of fresh air and walk. I’d recommend you take a tape recorder or use a notes app on your phone to record the wonderful ideas that arise when you spend time in nature, in silence.
Drink a gallon of water- This one I backed off after completing the challenge. A gallon is a lot and I’m a 55 year old woman with pelvic-floor opportunities. I’ve settled in at 80 oz on a normal day, more if it’s terribly hot or if my workout is particularly strenuous. I listen to my body and drink regularly, trying to avoid moments of thirst.
Take a progress picture- I’ll continue this, not every day but every week. It’s nice to see the changes when you look the mirror- a picture is proof to yourself that you weren’t imagining how great you look!
Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book- I blow this away every day, because I like to learn. 10 pages often becomes a chapter or two. I read early in the day to learn and I’ve added reading for pleasure (always a traditional ink and paper book) to fill my soul and ease into sleep before bed.
Follow a diet- The diet I follow is mine. Protein, carbs, fat and veggies, cooked at home at least 90% of the time. I’ll move forward with treats or alcohol no more than once or twice a week.
No cheat meals or alcohol- See above. Long gone are the days when I’ll pass on a piece of birthday cake or a glass of good wine when sharing a meal with friends. No more so called cheat meals for me; I’ll have truly delicious treat meals, but only once in a while when I have the luxury of time.
I learned I can’t practice “everything in moderation”. Moderation seems to be the slippery slope MY bad habits are built on. I stand on the belief of “any food or drink once in a while” is a healthy position to take. That being said, a little of any one thing, every day, has the opportunity to become a little more and then a little more. The next thing you know I’m mindlessly driving to the grocery at 8 pm to buy a bag of crispy crunchy snacks (the ones that leave your fingers orange), a pint of gooey chocolatey ice cream or a bottle of dark, delicious fermented grape juice because my day can’t be complete without a treat. Giving up things like wine and salty snacks was hard and on Day 76, I realized they could re-enter my diet, but only once in a while.
Being healthy is easy if you start at healthy… but most of us aren’t, so choose a small action every day to get you back there.
Challenge yourself.
Join a group.
Ask for help.
Lean back into the things we did when we were young and appreciate how easy change can happen for you.
Let me know how you’re doing! I can always use inspiration to keep going myself!!
Remember, there is no timeline and the prize of good health is worth it.
Be Happy
xoxo
