7 Things I Avoid to Remain Insanely Healthy

I don’t wake up at 5 am or eat salad.

I’ve been in my best body for a year now. Of course, it wasn’t easy. It resulted from six years of working out consistently and having a balanced diet that got me here.

I now look and feel happy with my body and my mental health is strong, which I think are two important pillars of good health.

As somebody who has read and researched deeply into health and wellness, there’s far too much information. Some of it is shocking! Had I done those things, I wouldn’t have lost 55lbs.

Here are the seven things I avoid to remain healthy.

1. Waking up Irrationally Early

Waking up at 5 a.m. as a full-proof method to become successful is a myth. This is because humans have systems that are wired to sleep at different times. It’s not one size fits all.

I’ve understood where I feel my best and what works with my lifestyle. So I wake up at 7:30 a.m. and start my day instead of waking up super early because some gurus say so.

2. Workout Out A Lot

I used to earlier workout 2 hours a day, sometimes even 6 days a week. I now work out for 45 minutes followed by 15–20 minutes of yoga sometimes. I also take two days off, one for active recovery and one for rest.

Active recovery gives your body a break from all that training while still moving. You can use this day to play a sport, run, walk, do yoga, etc. The intention is to be active but also recover your muscles to train the next day.

Working out less but effectively and taking adequate time off helps me train stronger and gives me the rest I need.

3. Mindless Eating

You’d be surprised at your relationship with food when you concentrate on food while eating.

It's a spiritual perspective, as yoga says humans are intuitive and our body has a natural tendency to let us know when it no longer requires food. But with the lifestyle we lead that overworks our senses, we lose that intuitive touch with our body.

Getting connected with food and my body has helped me curb overeating and frequent snacking.

4. Cheat Meals

Live a lifestyle where you don’t need to ‘earn junk’,

I’ve had times where I ate overly healthy to earn my cheat meals. I criticised junk food and didn’t even taste it if it was in front of me.

I now eat junk if I feel like it because then I no longer crave it and have way too much of it. For instance, I was travelling last weekend and happily ate a McDonald's burger and fries instead of pushing myself to eat healthily.

Let loose and find a balance. Live a lifestyle where you don’t need to ‘earn junk’, balance the two and you’re good.

5. Supplements

After over six years of taking in whey, I’ve finally called it quits and have seen appreciable changes.

I now fulfil my nutritional requirements from food. I eat mostly whole foods and I’ve seen this impact my body in a healthier manner as compared to protein shakes, cookies and brownies.

I’ve gone backwards into eating, instead of falling for current diet trends.

6. Calorie Counting

Is it effective? Yes. Does it affect your mental health? Also yes.

Calorie counting made me anxious and feel like crap if I went overboard with calories. This made me sulk and skip meals. But that being said, calorie counting has helped me to drop weight.

If your goal is to cut fat, then count your calories but cut some slack by being okay even if you go overboard once in a while. Don’t fixate on the numbers and let them affect you.

7. Speaking and Thinking Negatively

Ever since I quit social media, I think happier thoughts because I’m no longer seeing thousands of people portraying to live their best lives.

I’ve also made a conscious effort to treat myself and others around me with more love and be careful with the words I speak.

When you think positive thoughts, your body thrives with positive energy. Earlier, I criticised my body all the time. Now I appreciate it each day in my gratitude journal and affirmations.

Appreciation, gratitude, and positivity in what you speak and think impacts how you feel mentally and physically.

Takeaways

Here are the seven things I avoid to remain insanely healthy:

1. Waking up irrationally early
2. Working out a lot
3. Mindless eating
4. Cheat meals
5. Supplements
6. Calorie Counting
7. Speaking and thinking negatively

May you have bright health and an even brighter smile!

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