It's been a bit since I emailed last! We graduated my third kiddo from High School, put our house on the market, sold said house really fast, made a mad scramble to find temporary housing while we continue building, moved and several other things since the beginning of July. Truthfully I've been just trying to keep my head above water and do some of my own self care. Which leads me to a conversation I had with our Functional Nurse Practitioner a couple weeks ago and he gently reminded me of what I know and preach.
But isn't that the way it goes? We need our own reminders of what is true.
So breaking it down to some health basics that I can do in this crazy season of life.
Honestly, let me make it three things if I may:
1. Rest: Yes, yes, I'm the worst at this but if anything in the last three years of some really difficult situations, I have learned this: we have to set aside time to rest and I don't mean mindless scrolling on social media or binging multiple TV shows.
I mean real rest.
Get outside.
Lay in the grass.
Take a walk.
Read a book.
Listen to music.
Go on a hike
Your body cannot heal if it does not get rest.
2. Walking: So much research exists on the benefits of just getting between 7,00-10,000 steps a day and yet I find it so hard to do some days! But did you know walking improves memory and cognitive capacity, boots mood, lowers stress, improves stamina, energy and metabolism? Yep, just walking daily does all of that.
3. Weight-lifting 2-3 days a week: If you want an all-in-one solution to improving balance, bone density, grip strength, blood sugar, heart health, and decreasing your risk of falling--strength training it is! Lifting weights is far superior when it comes to improving just about everything about your health. Most people think of metabolism is the rate in which your body burns energy. In reality, your metabolism IS your health. Your metabolic health includes everything from your blood sugar, cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity, to how your body processes hormones. So, what can strength training do for you? Studies show it not only increases your metabolism during and post-workout, it also spikes metabolism in the 16-24 hours after your workout is complete.
When you increase muscle mass, you are increasing your metabolically active tissue. This boosts your resting metabolism, bone density, and improves insulin sensitivity. In turn, your body becomes healthy metabolically--digestion, libido, immune function, energy, warm hands and feet...it's all working!!
Stop focusing on calories. Focus on health--physical, mental, and emotional, and enjoy the process of getting stronger and firing up your metabolic health.
While my 20-year-old-self wouldn't have believed it, I've been focusing on resting, walking, and lifting and have never felt better.
Who knew?!
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear.
Blessings!
Melinda Haak
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