Certainly when I was younger, I believed that it was 'better' to be skinny, which caused me to develop an obsession with my weight. I got into the unhealthy habit of calorie counting and obsessively checking food labels to see how much fat and sugar the food contained. It wasn't a healthy way to live, and it definitely didn't make me happier - even if I was skinny.
Nowadays, my outlook on food and living healthily is much different. For starters, I know a lot more than I used to. I feel as though there is a lot more useful information out there regarding diet and nutrition than there used to be, and as a nation we've developed a greater understanding of how to take care of our bodies so that we can look and feel as good as possible.
If you were to ask me if I consciously eat healthy, I would say yes, but I would also say that I enjoy all the healthy food I eat, and I also allow myself a treat every now and again, too. I think that one of the biggest mistakes people tend to make when they're dieting is that they completely deny themselves of any treats or vices. For me, my one 'naughty' vice is chocolate. I can eat well 7 days a week for all three meals, but at some point, I've got to have a bit of chocolate. Things like crunchy M&M's and Giant Chocolate Buttons are my biggest weaknesses - I just can't resist.
But there's nothing wrong with that. If you eat well and exercise plenty, there's no reason why you can't indulge in the occasional sugary treat. Or perhaps chocolate isn't your thing. Maybe you're more of a Chinese takeaway kind of girl. My point is, if you're giving your body everything it needs nutritionally, the occasional slip isn't going to cause you any great harm.
I've been reading a lot about food and exercise recently and it's inspired me to share my own blog post on how to stay fit and healthy without feeling completely restricted. So, I've decided to pull together my five top tips on how to live a healthier, happier life. I hope you enjoy.
My Top 5 Tips For a Healthier Life
1. Exercise Plenty
But not too much...if that makes sense?! People are always surprised to hear that I don't go to the gym as I do like to stay in shape. However, whilst I'm not glued to the tredmill or the cross trainer every night, I do spend a lot of time walking, and I'm always doing squats, too. I do about 200 squats every day to help tone up my legs and bum. I wouldn't say that I have a lot of muscle definition, but I wouldn't say that I particularly want that, either. I like being slim and toned, but I don't think the muscular look would suit my petite frame.
2. Drink Lots Of Water
I know, I know - you've heard this 1000 times before, but honestly, it really is just so important, so I had to include it in the list! Not only will your skin thank you massively for all that extra H20, your body will, too. Water naturally flushes out toxins from your body, allowing your insides to stay healthy and glowing. And here's another massive plus - it's a natural fat burner, too. Nutritional experts and dieticians have done countless studies over the years into the correlation between drinking water and losing weight, and there's clear evidence to suggest that those that drink lots of water as opposed to tea, coffee and sugary drinks are a lot slimmer and healthier in general. As a top tip, I'd also recommend introducing green tea into your daily diet. Green tea is super hydrating and it's also an incredibly effective fat burner, so it's perfect for helping you stay in shape.
I know, I know - you've heard this 1000 times before, but honestly, it really is just so important, so I had to include it in the list! Not only will your skin thank you massively for all that extra H20, your body will, too. Water naturally flushes out toxins from your body, allowing your insides to stay healthy and glowing. And here's another massive plus - it's a natural fat burner, too. Nutritional experts and dieticians have done countless studies over the years into the correlation between drinking water and losing weight, and there's clear evidence to suggest that those that drink lots of water as opposed to tea, coffee and sugary drinks are a lot slimmer and healthier in general. As a top tip, I'd also recommend introducing green tea into your daily diet. Green tea is super hydrating and it's also an incredibly effective fat burner, so it's perfect for helping you stay in shape.
3. Eat Lots Of Fruit And Vegetables
This one kind of goes without saying, but there's nothing like a friendly little reminder every once in a while to eat all your greens! I've always loved fruit and vegetables - even as a child I never had a problem with them, and I think that actually makes a huge difference. If you've always eaten lots of veggies, it's unlikely that you'll struggle to maintain a healthy diet. If on the other hand you were quite fussy as a child or teen, getting those greens onto your plate might be a little more challenging. The trick is to include a couple of portions of vegetables in every meal you have. Even when my Mum and I make homemade pizzas for everyone, we always do an enormous side salad to go with it. Salad can sometimes seem a little boring, but there are lots of things you can jazz them up with. Try throwing on some toasted pine nuts, olives and sundried tomatoes for a tasty, healthy salad.
4. Always Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is another thing that I've never particularly struggled with. I'm always ready to eat when I get up in a morning, and I always make sure that I eat something healthy and nutritious. For me, porridge is the perfect start to the day. I make my porridge with unsweetened almond milk and top with a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds. At the moment, I'm loving raspberries, blueberries, cherries, walnuts and chia seeds. Another great combo is greated apple, walnuts and ground cinnamon - this one is a lot like a healthy apple pie. Delicious!
5. Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself
This one is so important, and I know a lot of people say it, but I honestly can't stress how true it is - if you never treat yourself, you'll end up resenting your new lifestyle and you'll quickly fall out of love with the idea of being healthy. I've read tons of articles about women who've given up all the things they love to eat, and they've failed miserably with their weight loss. For me, living healthily and staying active isn't about losing weight. I'm happy with the size I am, but like most women, I am conscious of how I look and I do like to keep an eye on what I'm eating. Whether you're trying to shed a few pounds or you simply want to take better care of your body, it's essential that you remember to have a treat every now and again.
I really hope you enjoyed this blog post and I can't wait to share more with you soon!
Lots of love,
Grace
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