During the course of 2022, I had a casual interview with someone who is inspired by my personality, what I represent, and wanted to learn more about my lifestyle.
Here are some of the questions with my answers:
Why is living a healthy lifestyle important to you? - Living a healthy lifestyle is important to me because it can help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. It makes me feel good about myself. Knowing I’m doing this helps with my self-esteem and self-image, that I am practicing a lifestyle that is right for my body and that I am setting a good example for my family and community. I grew up in an environment where our daily lives entailed fresh cooked meals made with all-natural and organic vegetables, grain, fish, meat (not frozen or packaged meals filled with preservatives) and we stayed very active. For example, I walked to and from school, and rode my bicycle for afternoon recreation. We walked to the markets and grocery stores. And we stayed active with physical education and sports. We stayed active taking care of our vegetable garden. We did not eat our meals in front of the television slumped in sofas or recliners, instead we sat at the table and paid attention to what we were eating and nourishing our bodies and minds with. After eating we moved around. These habits remained with me, and I’ve passed this lifestyle onto my family who now practice same. My grandparents were very active people who enjoyed long and healthy lives well into their senior years.
Explain healthy and what it means to you - Everyone has a different perspective on what a healthy lifestyle is. For me, it comes down to practicing good health habits and giving up harmful ones. With a healthy lifestyle you get positive results, such as feeling good, having more energy, sleeping better and be more relaxed, most important you will be happy; you will have a better outlook on life.
What makes you different? - We live in a world of rigid ideals and cultural expectations for bodies, and tons of confusing messages to lose weight or keep it off. In my opinion, diets do not work and are designed to fail because that’s what “diet culture” does. I do not see living a healthy lifestyle as a sacrifice or short-term goal. I see it as being important to one’s well-being. Taking control of my health and practicing good habits that will help determine a healthy future. A healthy diet and regular exercise are important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but other factors like one’s ability to deal with stress, getting good sleep, avoiding smoking, and drinking responsibly are also part of the equation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, eating a well-balanced and proper diet helps in controlling a person’s ideal weight, and is also important in supporting all of the body’s activities such as fighting off sickness and even providing increased energy. Exercising regularly on the other hand, keeps the body strong and fit, helping you look better and feel better. It is a well-rounded daily habit.
How would someone start this lifestyle? - Improving your lifestyle with small steps in the right direction will have a big impact on your well-being. Start with small steps, such as eating healthier food and getting exercise. Most people today continue to practice several unhealthy habits which contribute to developing life threatening diseases. That is why it is important to be aware of the things that will help ensure that you will be in the best shape and condition. It is also important to plan for your future and your family’s. Choosing a healthier lifestyle can do plenty of good for your health and it can help you fight stress, be more alert and live a longer life. Start by making smarter choices you can live with in terms of your food intake, daily habits and an effort to regularly stay active. These choices that you make will benefit your health in the long term, providing you with long lasting results. A healthy lifestyle has both short- and long-term health benefits. Long term: eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can add years to your life and reduce the risk of certain diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and obesity. In the short-term it can also make you feel and look your best, give you more energy and help you maintain a healthy weight.
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