How to Be the Healthiest Version of You

Health has always been important to me. Well, health has been important to me ever since it was pointed out to me when I was 13. At 13 years old I found out that I had scoliosis and would need the Harrington Rod surgery to correct it. I truly thought that life as I knew it was over, and in a way I was right. Life as I knew it was over – but a new healthier, more aware, more conscious and active life was ahead of me. From then on out, I knew I had to take care of myself in a way I had never prioritized before. For example, my doctor made sure that I knew that a strong core would lead to a strong back and so he always made note to let me know that I had to continue to work on that – which is why I do Pilates!

Health is a habit, and that habit takes time and effort to create. But all that effort and time is worth it. When your healthy lifestyle stops being a “goal” and starts being your reality, you begin to realize all the incredible things that can happen when you live more consciously.

How to Live a Healthier Life

I sit at a desk all day. For 7 hours, I sit and type – but when I am off work I make sure I go for the healthier routes, I take the stairs, go for a walk, and make a workout part of my daily routine.

When you first switch from eating fatty, salty, unhealthy foods it can feel like a punishment, or like the healthy foods don’t have all the flavor that your old favourites once provided. What I can tell you is healthy food tastes amazing, you may just have to re-train your body to realize it. Sources like Pinterest provide really great recipe options for your old favourites.

If your work is on a strict schedule (like Monday – Friday 9-5) then you need to create a routine that fits into that. Though it’s tough to keep at first, eventually that routine will become something you look forward to. I work from 7AM until 2PM, and I’ve made it my routine that as soon as I get home I workout for an hour. My workout varies depending on the weather, but rain or shine I know it’s important that I get myself moving for at least an hour.

Provide yourself with positive affirmations throughout the day to help boost your self-esteem and your motivation. I find having positive reminders in my phone really helps keep me on track.

If you feel like your motivation to workout on your own wavers, then it’s time to find yourself a workout buddy. Set up a time to meet a friend and workout together once or twice weekly on the days that you find the most difficult to get motivated. I personally find Wednesdays tough, so I like to plan to go to an aerobics class with a friend on those days.

Appreciate yourself:

So often as women we put ourselves down – and honestly, I hate it! It’s almost like we are ashamed to share things about ourselves that we love, and so we so often focus on what we do not like about ourselves. Focusing on the bad more than the good isn’t healthy for your body or your mind. A great way to teach yourself to see the good in you is by writing down one thing you like yourself each day for 30 days.

I don’t know how it was decided that hangouts with friends always had to consist of sitting around eating or drinking. There’s brunch dates, coffee meetings, dinners out, movie dates, and parties – all of which revolve around snacking and drinking. Rather than ask your friend to coffee this weekend, why not ask to go on a hike, to a class or on a walk? It’s social, you get that special time in with your friend, and you get your fitness fix.

Celebrate The Victories, and Move on from the Mishaps:

Now and again, we all slip up on our health. When I went to Cuba a few months ago I indulged myself a little too much in the food, and the wine. But beating yourself up for having a fun night or two won’t help you get back on track! So, rather than beat yourself up, just move on. Remind yourself of the victories in your exercise and health like the stairs you ran up this morning, or the delicious salad you made for lunch. Knowing that your healthy lifestyle is simply all about having a balance will help you maintain it in the long-run.