Being Healthy is Being 'Free'

Hey ladies! I have some pretty important information to share, especially if you’ve already passed the 40-year mark on this plane. Now, this seems like a very long piece but trust me, it not only looks longer than it really is but it is imperative that you read to the end!

I don’t know how many of you are living an absolute healthy life, but I must be honest….with work, family, and a ton of other things that ​​I tend to let ‘take over’ my life, is extremely difficult for me.

I recently decided that regardless of the difficulty, I am going to get into exercising regularly, juicing, and meditating; I mean after all, I hit the "over 40" mark more than a few years ago (shhhhhhhhh, that is between you and me).

So, in deciding to make these changes I have been doing a little reading. I came across an article on Prevention.com which I found to be very interesting. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the information with you. If you'd like to read the article, you can find it here. ​

The suggestions include:

​***** Eat breakfast daily – eating breakfast is an incentive for great metabolism, which is at its peak in the morning. A high metabolism is helpful in increasing your energy and preventing unwanted and unneeded cravings that occur due to a drop in your blood sugar. For some, weight may be an issue; eating breakfast in the morning also helps with weight gain! I suggest that you visit Prevention.com and take a look at the '8 Delicious Heart-Healthy Breakfasts' that they suggest.

​***** Get into strength training – this will help your bones, help you maintain balance, and even help you avoid injury. It is suggested that 30 minutes most days of the week will be sufficient. This may sound funny, but strength training increases your resting metabolism; yup, you will burn more calories when resting! ​Visit Prevention.com and take a look at some moves that are excellent for some of the most stubborn parts of the body; you guessed it….the butt, thighs, stomach, arms, and hips.

***** Increase your calcium and vitamin D intake – this is great for helping you maintain strong bones. It is suggested that you have at least 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D each day. Go to Prevention.com and learn more about which supplements are best for women; this page is very informative.

***** Increase your protein intake – foods with amino acids will boost your levels of mood-lifting neurotransmitters in the brain. This will help decrease symptoms of depression and increase your thinking and memory. It is suggested to have at least 4 ounces of protein in your meal each day.

​***** Gain control of your stress – for the purpose of a healthy heart one must eliminate as much stress as possible. Along with controlling stress, you will also see improved blood pressure; great energy flowing through the brain; higher libido; and slowed cell death. Prevention.com suggests that something as simple as breathing through your nose for 4 beats and out for 8 at least twice a day can make a huge difference!

​​***** Create and relive the ‘sensual’ moments with your partner – fall in love over and over again with your significant other. Although it definitely applies, this is not just about sex; doing things that you’ve never done before like ballroom dancing, visiting other countries, or jumping out of a plane (which I would never do) are examples of things that you can help increase your libido. Oh, and for fun, be sure to visit Prevention.com and check out the list of sex toys they share.

​***** Ladies, now this is important (and I must admit, I don’t do this either), go out with girlfriends – it is said that relaxing with friends reduces stress, boosts self-esteem, and makes you a better partner to your significant other; isn’t that ​something??? Just as interesting, it is proven that when we spend time with friends it can help reduce diabetes, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and reduce the number of women who have strokes. Not sure what a good friend is? Well, Prevention.com has suggestions for that too; take a look. I absolutely love numbers 6 & 8!

***** And finally, keep track of your health! – all of what was previously mentioned is important, but even more importantly, you have to make sure you are healthy; the only way to do that is to keep up with your doctor visits! Basic, routine appointments should include eye exams every 2 to 4 years; blood pressure every 2 years; pap test/pelvic exam every 1 to 3 years; thyroid every 5 years; mole check every year (this is absolutely news to me!); mammogram every 1 to 2 years; and blood glucose every 3 years after the age of 45.

So, now that I’ve shared ALL of this very IMPORTANT information with you, it is up to you to follow through. What have we learned? We have learned that part of being naturally beautiful is eating right, exercising, loving others, being loved, and keeping a close eye on your health.

In closing, I want to remind you ladies that in life we get what we put in; this is why caring and loving one’s self naturally….mind, body, and soul are so necessary.

Free being me, naturally!

Queendom rising....