health

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twenty

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The Universe speaks to us.

And if we pay attention and listen, we can hear it.

The past two days, I’ve been sick. And I mean sick. I had a fever that spiked at nearly 103! And I’ve never had so many chills and sweats.  At one point, in the early morning, I could not get out of bed. Literally.

This morning, however, I woke feeling much better. Though I’m not 100%, I’m close to it and just need to get some color back in my face.

When I was at work tonight trying to summon up the energy to be on my feet, I thought about how being sick has really made me appreciate what it means to be healthy.

It’s kinda crazy not to take care of our body, when you think about it. Who doesn’t want to feel good physically?

We hold so much power to achieve that. And yes, there are unfortunate situations where our health is not within our reach, but if it is, shouldn’t it be the goal?

Okay, Universe, I get you. Being sick made me value being healthy so much more.

Point well taken.

And thank you.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Nineteen

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I apologize in advance but this post is going to be brief.

I currently have a fever of 102.7. My body hasn’t felt this bad in…. dang, it’s been so long, I can’t even remember when.

Fortunately, I have a supportive work team who has me covered while I lie in bed wishing my body would stop shivering. It’s still a work day in my building so I must cope with the noise but it’s at least allowed me a chance to grab my laptop and do a quick post.

I’m a bit delirious, I think, so I better not write to long.

When I come out of the haze, hopefully sooner than later, I’ll have something much more insightful to share :) Please bare with me…

And in the meantime, I’ll stay filled with fluids and well rested.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Eighteen

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Today, I have been under the weather. It was odd but late last night, I woke up with a fever and chills and have felt horrible since.

Being sick is part of life. Fortunately, I can go years without getting ill but this year, I haven’t been so lucky.

So I must deal with it.

It’s very tempting to keep going while sick but I’ve learned from past experience that is exactly what I shouldn’t do (unless I absolutely have too.) Today, I was able to take off so I did and I listened to what my body needed…

Rest. Fluids. Protein.

And then, I received something I did’t even know I needed but so did. It’s made this whole experience so much better.

Love.

My husband not only went to the store for OJ and medicine but he’s been my nurse all day, checking in on me and showing me love while I shiver under the covers before sweating it out.

My eyes are closing now, so I must go. Tomorrow I hope to be back to 100% percent. But even if I’m not, I know I have to listen to my body to heal it.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Seventeen

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As I was lying in bed this morning, a thought occurred to me about something my husband and I had talked about in the past.

Getting rid of technology in the bedroom.

The world we live in is fast-paced and practically run by technology.

Smartphones are everywhere and people are now attaching them to their wrists.

Tablets and laptops are third arms for a large part of this population.

And all the noise of technology is very difficult to shut off if you live in a major city. Hell, probably even in small cities.

So, where is our sanctuary? Our technology-free zone? Our place to cut ourselves off from the grid and be mindful in the present moment?

Sure, one could argue that’s what yoga studios and churches are good at but my husband and I came to the realization that we want a place like that in our home.

In an effort to get better sleep, be more mindful and present with each other and in the moment, we are no longer allowing phones, laptops or tablets in our bedroom. This is our place to disconnect, log out, sign off.

Because really, is it healthy to always be online?

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Sixteen

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As I continue on my journey of making healthy a habit, I’ve begun to notice a few things. All these things didn’t start because of the project, but the project has certainly placed a spotlight on them and even added a few more. Things like…

I want to go to sleep before midnight and wake up by 8.

I don’t want candy in the house.

I like a made bed.

Dishes in my sink longer than a few hours bother me.

Vacuum cleaner lines in my carpet make me smile.

Snacking isn’t what it used to be.

I read ingredient labels.

And the invincibility I believed I had when younger has been replaced with a sense of preservation.

Hmmm……

Could it be?

Why, yes..

I think I finally slipped into adulthood.

(Though the kid in me will always have a say in the matter.)

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Fifteen

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Today marks the end of the second week of my 21-day Make Healthy A Habit project.

And I am already reaping the benefits…

My body is less bloated.

My mind is clearer.

I’ve lost four pounds.

And my husband and I have grown closer as we do this together.

Now, I know making healthy a habit does not happen overnight. It takes day by day. But the starting point is the roughest part, at least for me, and after a couple weeks, I’m feeling better than ever and invigorated to keep it going till it does indeed become a habit and start to happen more automatic.

As I made my lunch of a BLT with avocado and kale chips, I realized that’s definitely already started. I haven’t had a french fry in two weeks and didn’t even notice till now.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Fourteen

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I signed up today for my first 5k walk!

My husband and I have been wanting to incorporate more health-based activities into our dates and daily life and this will be an excellent way to do that.

It’s not only something we can do together that’s beneficial to our health but it’s also an annual event in our community, so it will allow us an opportunity to be active with our neighbors. It’s held on the beach during a health fitness weekend expo so hopefully, we’ll also learn about health as well.

The thing is, I wouldn’t have discovered it  (or at least I haven’t up to this point) had I not been actively looking for local health-based events. And it’s less than a few weeks away…

Part of being healthy is being proactive about it.

And who better to share one’s health goals with than the one you love?

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Thirteen

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Part of being healthy is having a healthy mind.

And I believe our thoughts directly play into our health.

It’s very easy to allow negative thoughts to spread in one’s mind and take over but for the most part, it’s not worth being angry and negative…

Today, I had to catch myself.

I believe a woman was flirting with my husband right in front of me. And while that should have made me smile and feel proud, instead I felt a pang of anger and wanted her to just stop it.

Yes, I am a Leo. And Sicilian. And originally from New York.

But those are just excuses. Allowing my temper to flair over petty things is not good for my mind, body or soul.

And I’m glad I caught myself today and stopped that stream of negative thought from taking up anymore of my time.

Instead, I focused on positive things, like my husband and I doing yoga together for the first time. And now I’m going to do an all natural detoxing mud mask for my skin, because that too needs some healthy love.

And that feels so much better than holding a grudge.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twelve

/ christinaparisi / 2 Comments

For motivation and knowledge, I decided to do a little research today in the name of health.

I’m realizing that common beliefs about health can be very wrong and doing one’s own research is the best way to find out what is in fact healthy for you.

Take for example food products that are modified to be “low fat”. Well… is that a good thing? My husband has made me aware that the “low fat” labeled food items are typically far worse for you because of what is being used to replace the fat. Check the ingredients.

I also now read the labels of the food items I buy. I’m kinda surprised it’s taken me this long to become aware of what I put in my body. And though it’s disappointing to realize how much corn syrup is used in items I like, I’m glad to have learned that all the information I need to know is right there in the ingredient list. Forget the claims on the packages or the myths perpetrated through advertising.

My new rule #1 when buying groceries and personal items – Read The Ingredients.

I also experimented with making my own toothpaste today (see pic above.) I used a little too much salt but dang, my teeth feel clean! As with cooking, I need to perfect the recipe…

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Eleven

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Today was all about focusing on what I’ve chosen to do – make healthy a habit and get rid of my unhealthy ones.

I know this is the right thing for me and I’m aware of why I’m doing it.

It hasn’t been easy but that’s okay.

And as I was thinking about these things today, I realized something has come in very handy for me during this time of change…

Self pep talks.

They’re incredibly helpful to remind me of why I’m doing what I’m doing so I can either keep doing it or stop. They help keep me going when the going gets tough.

And each day, change sets in a little more.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.