DECIDE...To Change

by ROBBIE McCOMMAS

“I don’t think words alone can express how becoming healthier has changed my life, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well,” says Chandler resident Beth Hill. “I struggled with being overweight, and I would say, addicted to food, for most of my life. I feel like God has delivered me from that chain of bondage. Praise Him!” Are you in bondage? Are you in a vicious cycle of unhealthy decisions? Let’s learn from a beautiful individual who graciously is sharing in hopes of being an encourager to someone else! “Well here I am, almost one year later, nearly 120 pounds gone!” Beth exclaimed with excitement. “I’m off the majority of my medications and enjoying life to the fullest! I’ve been out deer hunting again, I’ve gone to Disney and walked and walked! The best thing is playing and keeping up with the grands.... Well, they still seem to have more energy than me!”

The first step to accomplish anything is to DECIDE: Decide: verb. Come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration.

Make a choice from a number of alternatives.

“Almost one year ago I was in really poor health,” Beth explained. “I was severely overweight and on blood pressure medication. My rheumatoid arthritis, combined with extra weight, was greatly limiting my mobility. It was hard to get up out of the chair, let alone go and do the things I used to enjoy in the outdoors. I was losing my desire and joy of the activities of life. Playing with the grandkids was limited.” “So, I decided to seek out a program that I had been watching others get healthy on. On January 10, 2020, I began the health journey. I had a coach and a community of others seeking good health. I was taught a planned way to eat and also given tools of how to change my habits of health one small micro habit at a time.”

What kept you motivated, Beth?

“I was motivated by how well the weight seemed to come off which gave me more and more energy,” she earnestly stated. “My body seemed completely satisfied. I had no cravings and after the initial coming off of all the ‘not good for me’ foods. I had no hunger.” Her story started with a decision, her body reacted to the care, and transformation resulted. And she couldn’t

be happier!

Corridor reader, what is your goal?

Would your health benefit from a change? What would the change do for your family’s health? I think we all could agree, the hard part isn’t getting our body in shape. The hard part, is getting our mind in shape! A change must start in the mind set. Start. Yes, decide and devise a plan, put it on the calendar, set a reminder on your phone, invite a buddy, get support and accountability. If you don’t know where to start, brain storm and ask others. Then get up, and get going. Your future self and family will thank you!

Okay, now what?

Choose an activity you enjoy. Studies show, if a person doesn’t enjoy it, the commitment will soon fade away. Choose something reasonable for your area or community. If it’s walking or jogging, find a safe environment. If it is exercise, look up a safe routine that fits you. Some may rather find a coach or join a gym. If you prefer yoga, do the same. Commit to something. Enjoy tiny wins when change starts occurring. Being proud of yourself needs to be celebrated. Then, move the goal out farther! Before you know it your body is changing. Most people say the first thing they notice is having less body pain and they seem happier.

Now, let’s talk about what is on the menu. Educate yourself.

Think, yes think. You are what you eat, from your head down to your feet. Plan food for each day, shop differently than you ever have before. Try to limit, or omit things that are not good for you. Stay away from fast food. Introduce yourself to vegetables you’ve never tried, or cook them in a new recipe. Grab an apple, carrots or celery instead of chips. Uhmm, don’t buy chips!

Eat like your life depends on it!

10 rules for Healthy Eating!

by DR. RITA GOAD Phd

EAT REAL FOOD - If it is grown out of the ground or raised on a local farm it is real food.

ONE INGREDIENT - If it only has one ingredient like...broccoli, quinoa, almonds...it may be a great choice! Especially organic!

UNPACKAGED - Foods not in a box or can like fruits, veggies, or nuts and seeds. Pastures and grass-fed meat straight from the farm.

ORGANIC - When you choose fresh organic foods you are choosing the cleanest foods and most nutritious foods available! These foods are grown or raised free of chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, hormones, steroids and antibiotics, in very rich soil. The condition of the soil makes all the difference in the nutrition of the produce!

PRONOUNCE IT - If you can not pronounce an ingredient it isn’t clean, healthy or nutritious by most standards!

VEGETABLES ARE A PRIORITY - in today’s standard American diet we don’t get enough vegetables. And vegetables are where we get the bulk of our nutrients, enzymes and minerals! Eat more vegetables! You can’t eat too much! Avoid high glycemic sugar & toxic sugar substitutes. Sugar comes in many forms... Corn syrup, dextrose, cane sugar, fructose. Toxic sugar substitutes include Splenda, sucralose, aspartame, etc. None of these are included in a clean diet! Good options include raw local honey, real maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, and monk fruit.

HOMEMADE - if you make it, you know what is in it! Better yet, what isn’t in it like MSG, sugar and other processed ingredients.

EAT FOR YOU - eating foods that FEED your body and cells is what really matters. Eat foods that don’t cause further damage to your health! Mix it up and eat to feed your mitochondria!! (Mitochondria: provides energy to the cells.)

EAT AND ENJOY - Eat delicious real food and savor the flavors! Eat slowly for best digestion.

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