The Most Fascinating Thing I Learned On My Health Journey
And 10 lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health.
For a long time I believed that health and wellness equaled food and fitness. Calories in versus calories out was the name of the game and a pretty easy equation to calculate.
I spent years living by the mantra “eat less, move more”.
It sounded like a sure way to feel good and look good.
But it wasn’t working.
I’d had some not-so-fun tummy moments over the years that led to numerous tests for celiac disease, treating a parasite I’d brought back from a trip as a kid, and a colonoscopy after spending an afternoon in the hospital. Further, I was working out with a trainer consistently but the needle wasn’t moving — neither on the scale or more importantly, my energy level.
So I decided to try something different:
I tried eating low fat.
I tried apps like Fitness Pal to track my calories.
I tried eating a vegetarian diet. And then vegan.
My doctor suggested a laxative combined with a FODMAP diet.
But my gut didn’t care.
I still felt bloated, irregular, and frustrated. There had to be a better way that didn’t include a specific diet or restricting foods. It was time to take a different approach.
My spiritual journey sparked the idea that I needed to heal on the inside in order to show up and live my truth on the outside.
It seems obvious now that this approach to health could be equally as transformative.
I started by working with a naturopath but it felt like a stop-gap measure: eliminate gluten and dairy while taking supplements including probiotics for a month. Though I was now a believer that certain foods cause inflammation in the body, I hadn’t solved the problem. Enter holistic nutrition, Ayurveda, and my aha moment:
When given the chance, the body has the ability to heal itself.
Although this may seem obvious as we wait for a broken bone to heal in a cast, or a cut to stop bleeding under a bandaid, I had never considered that our gut could do the same thing.
It’s true what they say: you are what you eat.
What we put into our bodies, becomes our bodies.
By making small, incremental lifestyle changes, I could give my gut a break and the much needed love it required to start healing. Over time I adopted and adapted the following lifestyle changes to take steps towards improving my gut health which in turn improved my digestion, energy levels, and do I dare say weight regulation.
Drink more water
Start the day with a glass of water before caffeine. Bonus if you add lemon for a dose of vitamin C and to kickstart your metabolism! Try to limit your coffee or tea to one cup per day, and ensure you’re staying adequately hydrated throughout the day.
All fat is not created equal
Including oils. Healthy fat is a real thing and it can make a difference when you pay attention to what you’re putting in your body. Think seeds, nuts, and avocados over cheese, butter, and canola oil. When it comes to cooking, stick to olive, avocado, and coconut oils and avoid safflower and vegetable oils.
Check for hidden sugar
Food manufacturers have a way of sneaking sugar into unsuspected places including salad dressings, sauces, and even tea. Consuming sugar can send our metabolism, and as a result our energy levels, on a rollercoaster ride.
Stop counting calories and start eating whole foods
But what exactly are whole foods? Whole foods are those in their natural state. Unrefined and unprocessed. By focusing on consuming whole foods, you will be satiated and full from food that nourishes your body. The calories won’t matter anymore. Believe me, this mindset shift can be liberating.
Beware of the magic of marketing
Labels like “natural” and “healthy” have vague guidelines and can be deceiving. Don’t be fooled by crafty marketing messages and be sure to read the list of ingredients first. Rule of thumb: if it’s in a box, best to avoid it.
Shop local
We all know we should eat more fruits and vegetables, but how? Start by buying local. This often means you’re also buying in season and the food will taste fresh and more flavourful. There’s a different kind of energy that comes from your food when you buy it from the person who farmed it. To stay inspired, be sure to clean and prep your produce when you get home so it’s ready to go.
Step out of your cooking comfort zone
And find a new way to prepare vegetables. This is where technology is your friend: you can find a recipe for almost anything on the internet, and by following the guidelines above it is easy to keep it clean.
Crowding out versus elimination
One more note on veggies before we move on: incorporate more vegetables into your meals and naturally you’ll find yourself crowding out the food that isn’t nourishing your body, rather than eliminating foods.
Give your body a break
Everybody is different and it’s important that you listen to your hunger cues: eat when you’re hungry and finish when you’re almost full. It sounds easy but how many of us practice intuitive eating every day? The easiest way to give your gut a break: quit eating at least three hours before going to bed.
At the end of the day, your health is in your hands.
It is never too late to take care of yourself. Let this be a reminder that you have the power to feel better and lead a healthier life. It is up to you to take ownership of your health.
Own your health, own your wellness, own your body.
