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Premium Gasoline and Junk Food – My Nutritional Philosophy | happyliving.com - image via Death to the Stock Photo

Exercise is King, nutrition is Queen, put them together and you’ve got a kingdom.
(Jack LaLanne)

Do you take better care of your car than your body?

Physical fitness, the cornerstone of the Seven Foundations of Health, is comprised of both exercise and nutrition. Jack LaLanne was a personal trainer and fitness expert who was way out in front with this knowledge. He believed, “every human being can attain maximum body health and fitness if they will practice moderation, eat the most natural foods, and exercise on a regular basis.”1

While committing to consistent, lifelong exercise has come naturally for me, creating a healthy nutritional practice has not. For most of my adult life, I did not think or care much about nutrition. As long as I maintained a weight that felt comfortable, I ate as I pleased. If my weight increased, I ate less. That was my “nutritional practice.”

I was putting premium gasoline in my car while I was putting junk food in my body.

In 2010, I had a cholesterol scare that gave me a reason to change my ways. I expanded my philosophy regarding physical health to include exercise and nutrition. Since then, I have learned that I can’t exercise my way out of a bad diet.

Here is the nutritional philosophy that works for me. I hope these ideas give you inspiration for establishing a healthy nutritional practice in your life.

Eat real food

“If it can go bad, it’s good for you. If it stays good, it’s bad for you.”
(David Pulmutter, MD)

I buy organic foods when possible and shop at the local farmers’ market frequently. When I am grocery shopping, I focus on the perimeter of the store where the natural and fresh foods are located.

Eat a healthy fat, low carb diet

“The brain thrives on a fat-rich low-carbohydrate diet, which unfortunately, is relatively uncommon in human populations today.”
(David Pulmutter, MD)

I follow the dietary guidelines outlined in Grain Brain by eating healthy fats, proteins, and vegetables, and limiting carbohydrates2.

Nutritional supplements

I cannot get all the essential nutrients my body needs from food alone, so I supplement my diet with products specifically designed to promote healthy aging and longevity.

My daily practice includes Coenzyme Q-10, Resveratrol, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, brain-boosting nutrients, melatonin, and a powerful blend of complex botanicals and vitamins designed to offer support for youthful aging34.

Monthly cleanses

Each month, I detox my body with a full day cleanse. This practice uses a combination of herbs and natural botanicals5 to support my body’s natural ability to remove toxins and impurities.

I also use my monthly cleansing day to focus on spirituality. I slow my daily pace, schedule less, and meditate more. I spend time in nature with longer, slower hikes through the woods. I dedicate time to reflection, giving appreciation to all I have, and thinking deeply about what I want to create with the rest of my life.

Measure and adjust

Several measurements help me track the progress of my fitness, inside and out.

  • Body weight: I record my weight each month after my cleanse day.
  • Resting heart rate:6 I use a heart rate monitor to measure my resting heart rate for three mornings in a row and calculate the 3-day average.
  • Cholesterol: I record my cholesterol markers twice a year, using a web-based service to order blood work without having to visit my primary care physician.

In the future, I am planning to add body fat, genetics, and protein diagnostics to my health measuring practice.

Hara Hachi Bu

The Japanese have a teaching that instructs people to eat until they are 80 percent full. It’s a simple and beautiful message that resonates with me. This is a relatively new addition to my daily practice that I am still working to master.

Here are some things I have noticed since I committing to my nutritional philosophy:

I rarely feel hungry. My persistent sniffles and runny nose have disappeared. The constant bloated feeling is gone and my stomach has flattened. I feel healthier… and that feels great!!

If this post has inspired you to think about your nutritional philosophy, click here to sign up for a free 15-minute consultation with me. During our call we can discuss any of these strategies in more detail and address any of your questions.

Image via Death to the Stock Photo

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