Fitness is a journey! There is not one fix for all, but a path that we all must take to ensure we are healthy, happy and whole. Life gives us our share of ups and downs, but we have to tackle them head on. One sure fire way of doing this is to get proper rest, exercise and proper nutrition. I have been on this fitness journey over half of my life, and as each year goes on I find that there is one more thing I can add to my regimen.
I live with multiple Autoimmune Diseases, and I became tired of having Lupus Flares, and dealing with the pain and inflammation associated with it. I decided for myself that I need to make a change for the better, so I researched anti-inflammatory foods, and I began incorporating them into every meal. Now, notice I never say the word DIET, but stress healthy eating! It is imperative that as individuals we recognize our bodies and what is necessary to sustain them. One key that stands and has been a staple in the nutrition community is......Eat the Rainbow! Our plates should consist of foods from various color categories, as well as also focusing on portion sizes. Another factor in being healthy from the inside out is....WATER, WATER, WATER!
A normal day begins with whole grains or oats, even hard boiled eggs with a side of avocado (good fat). You definitely want to think about incorporating fruits and vegetables in your daily regimen, as a good habit of mine is eating fruit with every meal or as a snack in between. Another factor to think about when it comes to fruits and vegetables is to eat it in season!
Fall Season Fruits and Vegetables
Apples, Cranberries, Figs, Grapes, Pears, Pomegranate, Quince, Butternut Squash, Cauliflower, Garlic, Ginger, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard.
Winter season Fruits and Vegetables
Chestnuts, Grapefruit, Lemons, Oranges, Tangerines, Kale, Leeks, Radicchio, Radishes, Rutabaga and Turnips.
Proteins and starches are also an important part of any meal plan, and should be incorporated daily. We have to understand that food is fuel and how we begin our day determines how the rest of our day goes. Carbs are King and are necessary, especially if you are an athlete. An athletes body needs certain foods to provide the energy to get through the activity of your choice.
Start now and see the improvement by working from the inside out!
