Let’s face it. Everyone has looked in the mirror at some point and wished that the person staring back at them were a little thinner. We’ve all wished that we had the willpower to go on a diet and wondered why all that exercise isn’t reducing the number we see on the scale every morning. It’s not that we’re necessarily doing anything wrong…but trying to be careful with both diet and exercise without seeing any results can be incredibly frustrating.
But attitude is everything! I’ve talked about losing weight for years, and now that I’m finally shedding the last few pounds I’m looking back and realizing that I should have been happy while the weight was coming off…not just now that it’s (almost) gone.
Exercise – Benefit exercise for your health
Yes, exercise can be part of losing weight, but it’s much more important than that. Exercising releases endorphins that can help our bodies feel confident and self-assured. That confidence gives you the determination to go back to the gym tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Life is often out of our control, and being able to set aside a time every day to go on a quick run or do some lunges gives you back that control, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Take the time to give yourself the gift of confidence—give your brain a healthy dose of happy, healthy chemicals that only comes from getting the exercise it craves. Human beings aren’t supposed to be sedentary! It can be difficult to find the motivation to go to the gym after a long, mentally exhausting, physically immobile day in the office. But I’ve found that though being physically active for just 30 minutes every night hasn’t changed my body overnight, it hasn’t needed to—I’m so much happier knowing that I’m taking care of my body regardless of what the scale says.
Eating Healthy
Exercise is only half of a double-edged sword. Again, just eating healthy might not shave off the weight, but it certainly makes you feel good.
The human body wasn’t built to consume the massive amounts of processed sugars and fat we eat. The obesity levels in the United States are rising ominously, and part of the problem is breakfasts consisting of Pop Tarts, lunches with white bread, fruit snacks and brownies, and TV dinners with lots of carbs. Don’t get me wrong—I like all of the above items as much as the next guy, but my taste buds are the only part of my body that enjoys that kind of food.
A few months ago I learned that I needed to go gluten-free. So I eliminated gluten (a protein found in wheat and barley) and started eating more fruits and vegetables to supplement my new diet. I now eat more fruits and vegetables than I ever have, and I feel better than I thought I could ever feel. I had no idea how much our bodies were made to crave healthy, fresh foods until I started eating that way.
I’m not saying you need to go gluten-free to feel healthy. But once you start feeding your body what it needs you’ll have more energy, more focus, and your brain will be sharper and clearer. Trust me…you will be a happier person.
Smile – Benefit smile for your health
As Charlie Chaplain sang, “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile/If you just smile”. And it’s true! The more you smile, the better you feel. We all know the neighbor or relative who can always find something to complain about, and we know how fast one grouch in the room can make the entire gathering miserable. I made a personal goal a long time ago to not be that person. There is always something to frown about, but isn’t it better to find something that’s worth smiling about instead?
When I was a teenager, I hated my smile. I felt self-conscious about my crooked front teeth, and it got so bad that I nearly stopped smiling altogether. It wasn’t until my parents took the time and money to find an orthodontist to fix me up with invisible braces in Edmonton that I started to smile again.
Looking back, I wish I’d learned this simple lesson instead of paying for the braces: every face looks better with a smile. It doesn’t matter if your teeth are crooked or not quite as white as you’d like. Smiling lights up the eyes and makes anyone more approachable. Did you know that it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown?
It’s taken years, but I’ve finally made some lifestyle changes and realized that it isn’t what the mirror says that’s most important—it’s how I feel.
And let me tell you, I feel good.
But attitude is everything! I’ve talked about losing weight for years, and now that I’m finally shedding the last few pounds I’m looking back and realizing that I should have been happy while the weight was coming off…not just now that it’s (almost) gone.
Exercise – Benefit exercise for your health
Yes, exercise can be part of losing weight, but it’s much more important than that. Exercising releases endorphins that can help our bodies feel confident and self-assured. That confidence gives you the determination to go back to the gym tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Life is often out of our control, and being able to set aside a time every day to go on a quick run or do some lunges gives you back that control, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Take the time to give yourself the gift of confidence—give your brain a healthy dose of happy, healthy chemicals that only comes from getting the exercise it craves. Human beings aren’t supposed to be sedentary! It can be difficult to find the motivation to go to the gym after a long, mentally exhausting, physically immobile day in the office. But I’ve found that though being physically active for just 30 minutes every night hasn’t changed my body overnight, it hasn’t needed to—I’m so much happier knowing that I’m taking care of my body regardless of what the scale says.
Eating Healthy
Exercise is only half of a double-edged sword. Again, just eating healthy might not shave off the weight, but it certainly makes you feel good.
The human body wasn’t built to consume the massive amounts of processed sugars and fat we eat. The obesity levels in the United States are rising ominously, and part of the problem is breakfasts consisting of Pop Tarts, lunches with white bread, fruit snacks and brownies, and TV dinners with lots of carbs. Don’t get me wrong—I like all of the above items as much as the next guy, but my taste buds are the only part of my body that enjoys that kind of food.
A few months ago I learned that I needed to go gluten-free. So I eliminated gluten (a protein found in wheat and barley) and started eating more fruits and vegetables to supplement my new diet. I now eat more fruits and vegetables than I ever have, and I feel better than I thought I could ever feel. I had no idea how much our bodies were made to crave healthy, fresh foods until I started eating that way.
I’m not saying you need to go gluten-free to feel healthy. But once you start feeding your body what it needs you’ll have more energy, more focus, and your brain will be sharper and clearer. Trust me…you will be a happier person.
Smile – Benefit smile for your health
As Charlie Chaplain sang, “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile/If you just smile”. And it’s true! The more you smile, the better you feel. We all know the neighbor or relative who can always find something to complain about, and we know how fast one grouch in the room can make the entire gathering miserable. I made a personal goal a long time ago to not be that person. There is always something to frown about, but isn’t it better to find something that’s worth smiling about instead?
When I was a teenager, I hated my smile. I felt self-conscious about my crooked front teeth, and it got so bad that I nearly stopped smiling altogether. It wasn’t until my parents took the time and money to find an orthodontist to fix me up with invisible braces in Edmonton that I started to smile again.
Looking back, I wish I’d learned this simple lesson instead of paying for the braces: every face looks better with a smile. It doesn’t matter if your teeth are crooked or not quite as white as you’d like. Smiling lights up the eyes and makes anyone more approachable. Did you know that it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown?
It’s taken years, but I’ve finally made some lifestyle changes and realized that it isn’t what the mirror says that’s most important—it’s how I feel.
And let me tell you, I feel good.
