Just by reading this, you are already on your way to a healthier lifestyle

January 4, 2019, I was done. I quit smoking, changed my eating habits, started working with a trainer, and went from size 40 to size 36. It all sounds very hatsaflats now, but it was a process filled with blood, sweat, and tears, I can tell you. If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you, became the mantra. And so I started trying new things (sometimes even with fresh reluctance). Continuously stepping out of that comfort zone, heading to the place of discomfort, where growth lies.

It was a process that went much further than just losing weight. It was a process of examining old habits. Breaking patterns. Cultivating self-love. Perhaps it could even be called healing. Having control over your own health is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Looking back, I literally granted it to myself. And I wish it for you too, if you struggle with living healthier. But where do you start?

The foundation of every major change in your life begins with... awareness.

Your nutrition 
Take a closer look at it. Are you aware of your eating habits? What do you eat? What do you never eat? What do you never eat but might actually enjoy? Is it an idea to buy it once? To acquire a new cookbook with all sorts of new recipes for inspiration? What time do you eat? What nutrients do you mostly consume? How varied is your diet? How is your distribution of carbohydrates/fats/fibers and proteins? What do you (not) eat when you feel bad? How do you feel afterwards? Where is your growth? Where is the gain? If you know what you want, you can search more purposefully.

Your movement
Again: bring on that magnifying glass. Are you aware of your movement? How much do you move? What do you do? What do you not do? What do you find difficult? Do you know what regular exercise can do for you? Did you know that after 20 to 30 minutes of movement, substances are released in your body that make you happy? Endorphins provide a blissful and euphoric feeling, serotonin (the happiness hormone) makes you happy and regulates your appetite, mood, and sleep. And then there’s the kicker: dopamine, which gives you a feeling of reward that keeps you motivated to continue. You understand: exercising is a natural feel-good drug. Realize: you don’t have to be able to do everything yourself. Except for taking control, because that’s where we are now. Can you enlist someone to help you with this? A trainer? A sporty friend?

Your mind
What do you do to show yourself that you care about yourself? Do you give yourself enough me-time? Are you a night owl or an early bird? How can you ensure that you apply this habit in the rest of your lifestyle? Do you think enough about yourself or do you often put yourself last? Do you please others, or yourself? Do you take good care of your body? How does that show? How do you sleep?

The challenge? Balance
Often women think they have to starve themselves to lose weight. The funny thing? If you have experience with sports and nutrition, you know this is the biggest nonsense ever. Women who struggle with losing weight often eat too little. Eating is everything. It is fuel. It is socializing. It is family and friends. It is sometimes comfort. It is power. It is enjoyment. Your body needs fuel to let your beautiful self shine. You need energy throughout the day. And above all: enough sleep. Again: the quest for healthier living is a process that goes much further than just losing weight. It is pure self-love.

P.S.: I also want to emphasize this confronting wisdom: we always see from the outcomes in our lives what our true intention has been. Even if you dream of a different reality (losing weight or whatever), if you don’t truly act on it, your outcome will not improve.

Do you want to change?
Then you can change.
I believe in you.