BODY & HEALTH

A part of living your best life on purpose is taking care of your body which includes your health. According to the Bible: 

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Part of the trifecta of living your best life on purpose is the body, mind and spirit. This means that you need to take care of your physical well-being along with your health and mental well-being. You want your body to function at its optimal capacity which means making fitness and living a healthy lifestyle part of your daily habits.  

*Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician.

FITNESS

AGILITY

Our sedentary lifestyles do not help the situation. A lot of women work hours on end sitting down behind a desk which limits mobility, flexibility and agility. Waking up with aches and pains will dampen your outlook on life. Return to active movement by making small tweaks daily like walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator or parking a bit further when going to the grocery store. Incorporate 15-30 minute walking sessions into your schedule each day. Try stretching for 10 minutes per day. Flexibility of your ligaments is important to maintaining agility. When we include daily fitness into our routine it increases our agility.

LONGEVITY

A long life is not achievable if the body mind and spirit are not well. Modern doctors have stated that our bodies are designed to last at a minimum of 110 years. However, the average person will transition before their 82nd birthday. Diets, lifestyle choices and mentality impede our ability to live long healthy lives as it was originally intended. If you were to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, there is a potential chance you could increase your life's longevity. Healthier lifestyle behavior changes are key.

SELF CARE

As women, part of living a healthy lifestyle means we need to add self-care to our daily, weekly or monthly routine. When we feel good inside and out it shows and doing so will allow us to move about the world with confidence – shoulders back, neck straight, head held high. Self-care consists of the following:

• Fitness - Daily exercise routine
• Pampering - Facials/Massages/Mani & Pedi 
• Daily Hygiene - Keeping clean teeth, fixing your hair, keeping your nails and toes clean and cute (If you cannot afford these luxuries...you can always pamper yourself at home)
• Appearance - Wearing nice clothes and shoes (doesn't have to be expensive just pull yourself together and look cute)

When we care for ourselves, we no doubt remain confident. When you feel good confidence glows from within!

HEALTH

When it comes to taking care of your body, your health is at the top of the list. It is not your destiny to live a life of pain and suffering. In order to live your best life on purpose, you need to take care of yourself by monitoring what you put into your body and doing the right things for your body. Healthier lifestyle behavior changes come into play here. Not being in good health could put a strain on your mind and your spirit and in order to get past that, all three trifectas need to be in alignment. (body mind and spirit) We also understand that some people are born with ailments that are not under their control. The best way to deal with this scenario is by following your doctor's orders and praying to maintain positivity and your sanity. 

WELLNESS VS DIETING

Have you tried a fad diet or any diet for that matter? Of course, you have, we've all done it. Perhaps you were consistent, focused and successful. Some of us women gave up the minute we decided to start. :-) The thing about diets is that they are temporary. You may be able to knock the pounds off for a few months or even a year, but eventually the weight will creep back...it always does. For most of us, the lifestyles we lead are not conducive for managing a reasonable weight. This is why it is very important to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle. Wellness is a way of being...a way of life.

What do we mean by adopting a healthy eating lifestyle? Set limits for yourself on the foods you consume. Here are a few examples:

• Choose to stay away from alcohol or drink in moderation
• Choose to stay away from tobacco products
• Choose to become vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, etc.
• Maintain a daily calorie limit
• Eat more fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meats and less of saturated fats, processed foods, high sodium or high sugar products 
• Drink plenty of water. It is said that you need to at least drink half of your body weight in water per day to keep the organs in the body working like a well-oiled machine. 

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THE POWER OF YOUR BODY

Did you know that your body has the power to heal itself? Your body seeks homeostasis – balance. Regardless of the prognosis, diagnosis or pervasive forms of thought about your body and depending on individual circumstances, our body heals itself. However, if certain organs are damaged due to let's say excessive alcohol abuse, your body will need help with the healing process from medications prescribed by doctors. There is also the use of alternative medicine for some who choose to go the route. This consists of hypnotherapy, massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, chiropractic, stretch therapy and even the use of natural healing agents like Essential Oils. Each technique has been proven to work practically and scientifically. 

As always, consult with your physician before trying any form of alternative medicine. Remember, let's stay healthy and fit so that we as women can always be ready for anything that life throws at us!

Contributing Writer: Valerie Flowers

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