Over the past ten years I’ve transformed my way of caring for my body from working hard to try and make it a certain size and shape to working hard to make it as strong and healthy as possible.
In the process I’ve started doing a lot of things to better care for my body. I now get annual physicals, I have yearly skin exams, I started eating more vegetables, I started going to bed a little earlier, I try to drink more water (always trying with this one), I started taking vitamins, I’ve increased my daily activity and focused more of strength training.
While I feel that all of these things have added to my overall health, by far the most important thing I’ve ever done for my health is I learned to tune out mainstream advice and diet trends and just listen to my body.
Here’s the thing- we each are incredibly unique when it comes to what is best for our health.
That’s worth saying again- health is SO personal. Sure there are probably some good rules of thumb- eat plants, drink water and move, but beyond that, it’s hard to give blanket advice that fits everyone. Tomatoes may taste incredible to me, but cause another person to experience acidic agony. One person may thrive with the heavy weight and adrenaline rush of Crossfit, while another may prefer the more gentle challenge and mental clarity that yoga provides. While gluten make wreak havoc on one person’s digestive system, a slice of bread may help another person feel more satisfied with a meal. I think you get my point; I’ll stop.
One of my favorite challenges in health coaching was getting to know a person and together discovering the alterations in lifestyle that would work for them and help them achieve their health goals. Everyone is at a different point in their health journey and creating a one-size-fits-all plan is impossible. I loved helping clients learn to tune into their bodies by helping them focus on how they felt after eating certain foods, completing various exercises or experiencing different situations. Watching their optimum health plan unfold as they discovered what felt best for their bodies was exciting.
It’s taken me a few years, but I can say now I am very in tune with my body. I can tell if a fever is creeping up on me and know that a day of rest can fend it off before it even begins. I can sense when to push myself physically and when I truly need to take that 30 second rest to avoid pulling a muscle or straining a joint. I know that while my body handles gluten and dairy pretty well, beans tend to mess with my digestion. I know sometimes that using 30 overlapping nap minutes to take a power nap myself is more beneficial than trying to push through my to-do list.
Of course, being in tune with my body doesn’t mean I always listen to it. Occasionally I stay up too late, forget to drink enough water or devour more than my share of chips and onion dip, but I know how to get myself back on track.
Personally, I’ve found my body runs best on unprocessed foods- vegetables, proteins, fats, grains and fruit. I’ve realized I need some exercise each day to wear my body out and allow it to sleep soundly. I appreciate having quiet time in the morning to start my day. When I eat, move and live this way, I have more sustained energy, smoother digestion, less blood sugar spikes, more mental clarity and a more positive attitude. Basically, I just feel good.
And feeling good feels good.
What does healthy look like to you?
Can you feel a difference when you eaten certain foods versus others?
What makes the biggest difference in how you feel physically?
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Amen! This was a fantastic post to read this morning. EVERYONE is so different, and it can be hard to read blogs where someone is pushing themself in a way they can but in a way that isn’t the best for you. I’m always trying to eat more vegetables and drink more water! I know when I need a rest day or when to take it easy. It wasn’t always this way!
Brynn says
yes! It took me years to understand this concept and then live it. Around the time I got pregnant is when this really sunk in. Being in tune with your body is the best thing you can do for your health and happiness.
Dana says
Well said Brittany! As a nurse and someone who is studying to get certified as a health coach this is spot on. I truly believe listening to your body is one of the most important things we can do for our health. We need to be in tune with ourselves and what feels right and what doesn’t. I too have stayed away from mainstream diets and health advice and just listened to my body and wow, what a difference it has made in my health. And it is so true what you said that everyone is different. What might work for some may not work for others. Great post!!
Sherry says
Amen!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Great post! I agree that finding balance for your body takes time and patience. I am not a huge meat eater- I never have been, not even as a child. I feel Ike I do best with lots of fruits, veggies, GF grains, and no dairy.
Beautiful pictures!
lisa says
good for you
Toni says
Great post! I hope you write a book one day on health! I love your blog and your philosophy on healthy living.
Monica says
Agreed! I’m finally starting to feel similarly about my personal approach to health.
It breaks my heart, though, though that it takes all of us so long to figure out what we need (I’m almost 30!) A combination of a lack of self love (the “perfect body” seeking) and overwhelming amounts of (conflicting!) diet advice, I imagine. Still, it’s a bummer.
Sam @ Pursuit of Healthy Happiness says
Well said! It seems like such a simple idea-to listen to your body. But it can take years to truly understand what your body needs. I remember one distinct time when the whole, “listen to your body” mantra finally clicked. I had been traveling for about a week or so and was indulging in all the wonderful food the city had to offer. I normally don’t eat a ton of processed food or rich meals. So when 5 days in I felt less than myself and was having horrible stomachs aches, I thought to myself, ‘I really am craving spinach’. Most times people crave the once-in-a-while treats, not the healthy foods that we should be eating daily. That’s when it hit me that my body was trying to tell me to ease up on the junk and get back to my regular diet.
Since then, I’ve been more attune to what my body needs and what it’s telling me. I also think that it is SO important that you point out that what works for one person may not work for everyone! That’s such a huge concept that everyone should realize.
Thanks for the great post! I love reading your content 🙂
Karen says
Well said. We try and teach our kids to follow their own heart and not be swayed by what their friends say and do. (Especially teenagers) However, when we all turn around and do what is considered the “IN” thing, aren’t we all following the crowd also?
I do what is right and healthy for me and me only. I believe if you yourself are not happy you can not make anyone else happy either.
christina says
oh man, you just reminded me i am way overdue for a physical. must book an appt! glad you are happy in your journey to be healthy!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Awesome awesome post! Every body is different so everybody needs to do what’s right for them! <3
Landon says
I love how you thrive on veggies and use them so much (and make them look so pretty on your plates), that is definitely one area I have real difficulty. I love looking at them and picking thru them at the market but once I they get home I forget I have them or I get really bored with eating them.
Mandi Siegler says
IN LOVE with Justin’s almond butter!
Kari says
Wonderful post and I couldn’t agree more! I was just telling my husband this over the weekend but much less eloquently than you have put in this fantastic post!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I wholeheartedly believe that health is personal to each individual. As I continue to overcome my eating disorder, I am realizing more and more that there are certain things my body needs that other people in my life do not necessarily need. It does not make my way of health any better or worse than another’s- just unique. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Brittany!
Chantal says
Great advice!! I know that gluten can bother me, and so does dairy, but it isn’t like that for everyone. I’m especially sensitive to added sugars, too. I also find myself cheating on meals all the dang time and then paying for it!
Danica @ It's Progression says
AMEN!
It was when I really started tuning out the opinions and “must-dos” that I truly started to listen to my body and figure out what it needs to feel its best – this particularly started to take place during health coaching school. There are a lot of healthy living principles that most people can benefit from, but ultimately it comes down to knowing that works best for your own individual body!
emma @ be mom strong says
It has taken me coaching others and me feeding others (the girls) to start to treat myself better!
Christine says
I couldn’t agree with you more! I’ve tried many a diets and exercise plans throughout my college and adult years and I’ve come to realize that the best diet for me is my own diet! For example, I thought I would benefit by cutting carbs in my breakfast (I actually tried Whole30). But I’ve found that by eating my oatmeal in the morning my body actually handles it better than eating eggs and meat. I actually maintain my body weight better by eating carbs in the morning and then eating very few or none by the time dinner time rolls around. I also found that my obsession with dairy doesn’t help me much and I need to eat dairy in moderation…can you say cheese addict!? haha. I also found that if I have a few runs a week (mix them up by distance, speed and incline) I can maintain my body weight without having work out every day.
This took me years to figure out and no one could have told me this, I had to figure it out on my own..and I did 🙂
Nature's blend vitamins stores says
My little secrets.
I eat broccoli/mixed veggies for breakfast.
I drink 3 cups of water in the morning/night.
I meditate for 10 minutes.