Feeling Healthier, Inside and Out

Hey guys!

I've been wanting to talk about this for a while, but since health can be such a fragile and influential issue I'm a bit wary of the whole situation. In the past couple of months I've started consciously thinking about all aspects of health in a way different than I have done in the past, and the whole process has got me to a happy place, and one which I feel comfortable with. I thought I'd fill you in on the steps I've taken to becoming healthier, and why they've been a huge help. Obviously healthy living means something different to everyone, but if you're needing a bit of inspiration to feel better inside and out, then have a read of this post and see what you think!

 

Exercise

About two months ago I decided to start exercising my body. It's not something I've ever been committed to before, and I didn't do it to lose weight, because I don't feel that (besides strengthening my muscles) I need to lose weight. More than anything, starting to exercise has given me a way to work off exam stress and stop worrying for an hour of my life. I started out by running, but soon realised that that wasn't for me at all, so I picked up Charlotte Crosby's DVD and I absolutely love and would swear by it. It's a very intense workout, but you pick the duration of it and fit it into your routines however it suits you. I know people are constantly bashing celebrity DVDs, but the way I see it, exercise is exercise, and I like this workout and know that it works for me. I do this every other day (the night before a hair wash if you're interested) and as well as already seeing the difference that it makes, I feel a lot better about myself now that I'm doing something productive.

 

Healthy Eating

For a lot of people, healthy eating means cutting out food or carbs, but I can't stress enough how much I am not on board with that line of thinking. Fair enough if it works for you, but I don't want anyone to leave this post thinking they can never eat bread again - this mind set is one that has made me unhealthy in the past. It's taken me a long time to realise that the answer (for me) to eating relatively healthily, is to find a good balance and perhaps substitute a couple of items to get the vitamins and nutrients that you need.

I thought I'd give you a day in the diet of myself, if I'm making my own meals (and if it isn't pizza day obviously):

• Breakfast: A smoothie containing one banana, 3 tablespoons of oats, a teaspoon of peanut butter and a small glass of milk, and one piece of wholemeal toast.
• Lunch: some Ainsley Harriott instant couscous (omg try it its the bomb dot com) and a sprinkling of feta cheese, with an apple.
• Dinner: 80g of brown rice with stir fried red pepper, onion and sugarsnap peas, with soy sauce and chilli sauce. A chocolate treat for dessert - my favourite is the Cadburys chocolate yogurts or a choc chip cookie!
• Snacks: Usually a granola bar in the morning.

I can't cut out all my sugary treats, and I don't think having a balanced diet means that you should have to. I get 'shaky legs' when I don't eat enough, so I never skip a meal or eat ridiculously tiny amounts - I'd probably pass out! This is the part of the post I was most worried about writing; don't feel in any way that you have to alter your diet if you feel happy as you are. Beauty is not based on what you eat.

 

Other bits and bobs

I think healthy living is down to so much more than food and exercise. For me, its about surrounding myself with people who support me, drinking a whole lot of water, and getting to sleep at a reasonable time. During the exam season, its so important to try and think positively, so I'm making a conscious effort to take a day at a time and remind myself of everything to be happy about. Going make up free most days is also doing me a world of good in regards to confidence and feeling comfortable.

 

This is my current recipe for my own mental and physical health, but I'm not an expert! What do you do to give yourself a boost of happiness?

 

P.S. I just thought of another thing which settles my mind! Organisation is my personal route to mental satisfaction, writing down my worries and making to-do lists settles my nerves like nothing else.