Itz Holistically Wholesome

I have always tried to be attentive about how and what I eat. Looking good, feeling great, and being healthy was my goal. I want to be in excellent shape and health. There was a time when I had lost focus and piled on a few extra pounds. I hated how it made me feel, and I especially hated when people commented that I had gained weight or got fat. Of course, I knew that I had to change my lifestyle to achieve what I wanted. It was challenging; breaking bad habits is very hard, especially when there were so many temptations. But after remaining consistent, I eventually got better at it. I also watched many videos and read many materials that would encourage me to strive for the best health. This helped me a lot. Along the way, I discovered five things that have literally transformed my whole life, and I want to share them with you. I find that I have a lot more energy; I am more focused and have a better mood when I adhere to these habits than feeling lousy, miserable, tired, and low energy when I get a bit off track.

1. Eat well balanced and nutritious meals.

A balanced diet compromising essential nutrients is a sure way to shed those unwanted pounds and maintain healthy body weight.  Eat more whole grains, which include brown rice, millet, barley, quinoa, and rye. Enjoy plenty of peas, lentils, chickpeas, and a variety of beans. Eat fresh whole fruits and vegetables every day. You can also enjoy a fresh salad without too much salad dressing. Avoid excess processed food and basically eat your food as close to a natural state as possible.

2. No Snacking in between meals

Many times we like to have a snack or two between meals. Some of us eat every chance we get. However, it is better to have a healthy, filling, and wholesome meal that keeps us fuller for longer. This will help us to avoid snacking before our next meal. Aim to eat two big meals a day and nothing in between. Space your meals at least five hours apart; this will give the stomach enough time to complete its digestion of our previous meal without interruption. 

3. No Eating before bed

If you usually eat just before going to bed, it is time to stop doing so. This can easily lead to overeating and weight gain. Eating late suppers and snacks cause the digestive process to continue throughout sleeping hours. Though the stomach is constantly at work, its work is not completely accomplished because it has to be breaking down what you recently ate. When we lie down to rest, the stomach and all other organs of the body should have their work done so that they too can rest. This is not so because of the numerous disruption that causes the digestive process to restart repeatedly for every time we eat.

4. Exercise

Exercise has numerous benefits. It helps us to build strong muscles, keeps us healthy, and maintain healthy body weight. Exercising for at least 30 minutes daily at a minimum of three days per week can burn those extra calories, ultimately leading to decreased body weight.

5. Drink more water

Many of us, for various reasons, fail to drink adequate amounts of water daily. It is important to know that our body needs water to carry out its functions, and as such, we are to ensure that we are getting enough. An added benefit of drinking water is weight management. Drinking water can help you to eat fewer calories and lower the risk of weight gain. Compare to other beverages, water is calorie-free and sugar-free; drinking water 20-30 minutes before a meal helps you to feel fuller; hence you will eat less food. At times we may misinterpret thirst for hunger, and our first instinct is to eat. However, it is best to drink a glass of water first to see if you are actually thirsty. If you are not a fan of drinking water, you can make drinking water more enjoyable by adding your favorite fruits or lemon to improve the taste.

As a bonus, here is a delicious Green Juice recipe that I am sure that you and your family will enjoy. My kids love the taste.

Ingredients

Cucumbers

Kale

Ginger (spicy, so add just enough)

Lemon

Basil

Cilantro

Parsley

Turmeric (optional)

Green apples (added red apples and or pineapple to make it more enjoyable for kids)

Be sure to let me know how these tips work for you as well. Also, comment and like if you tried and enjoyed the green juice recipe.

Be blessed!