In order for the body to properly maintain itself and stay optimized for day to day living, it’s important to have both a healthy body and mind. You can achieve glorious health by engaging in a meal plan that’s nutritionally sound along with a positive mental attitude!
If you feel that you are lacking in one area or the other, you may want to change what you are eating, your exercise routine, or your overall mental attitude. Generally such lifestyle changes don’t happen overnight so be patient when looking for results. If you’re trying to lose weight, remember that sometimes the body gets healthy on the inside first before you see results on the outside.
How To Get Started
First, start with a detailed evaluation of your current health – both physically and psychologically. You should know what, if any, medical conditions you have, as well as any mental conditions that are present.
Do you have?
- A weight issue
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol
- High blood sugar
- Medium to high risk for enduring a heart attack or stroke
- Sleep complications
- Depression
- Deteriorating health as you get olderYour health care provider can answer these questions for you as well as make suggestions for changing to a healthier lifestyle.
Making Lifestyle Changes
Once you’ve evaluated your current health situation, you should consider how you’ll make necessary lifestyle changes. Setting small goals for yourself sets you up for success as you achieve each small step.
For example, if you have an issue with being overweight, what are some changes that may help you drop a few pounds?
- Common behaviors that tend to pack on the pounds include drinking sodas, indulging in a lot of sweets, eating a lot of processed foods, and even eating late in the day. Avoid bringing high fat, high calorie foods into the house so you won’t be tempted to eat them.
- Join a gym or take a walk around the block at lunchtime. Ask a friend to join you and make a habit of it. Simple exercise relieves stress and improves your heart.
If you have trouble sleeping, take a quick look at the area you sleep in. Is there something that could be distracting you? Watching television before bed – or while in bed – can over stimulate your brain, causing you to have sleep issues. Limit your TV viewing before bed and keep it turned off in the bedroom.
- Stress can affect your sleep. Develop a bedtime routine to enable your mind and body to relax before going to bed.
Change anything that could have undesired results – even if it’s only one or two things at a time.
Change IS Possible
If you want to get well and stay well with a healthy meal plan and attitude, consider your overall feelings about life. Do you tend to stick with the notion that the glass is half full, or do you think the glass is half empty? Do you play the victim when it comes to obstacles in your life, or do you see challenges as opportunities you can use to improve yourself?
- Each day, think about all the things that went right. Even if it seemed like a black cloud was following you, certainly something good happened. Think about the good things in your life and meditate about the many good things coming your way tomorrow.
The most important thing to know and understand if you want to be healthier is that you are directly responsible for at least 95% of all that occurs in your life. As for the other 5%, there are ways to deal with those things in a positive and productive manner as well.
If you want to get well and stay well with a healthy meal plan and a healthier attitude, it’s completely possible! All it takes is some self-evaluation, goal setting, and the motivation to make a change. Take it one step at a time and you will succeed!
