Treat yourself right

For a few months now I started to take advantage of my free time by exercising. I’m not a yogi or an aerobics freak, but I do enjoy taking care of my body in order to have the energy throughout the day without relying on caffeine. I can’t remember how it started but it’s come to the point where I can’t let a whole day go by without a fitness routine, whether that’s strength exercises, a run, or yoga.

I began studying physical health through magazines, fitness blogs, and Instagram accounts. I’m aware of what’s good and bad for you and what healthier alternatives are. I make conscious decisions and I don’t let myself have a lazy day. I get up from the couch to get the remote rather than ask someone to hand it to me. I walk to pick up food from restaurants rather than ordering for delivery. I don’t run every day but if it’s more than 40 degrees outside I think it’ll be waste not to go for a jog!

By doing something every day — yes, every single day — I am noticing a difference in myself. I used to have terrible lower back pains and my legs would cramp up when I’m about to sleep or when I'd wake up. But ever since I started my day with a 20-minute stretch routine I am more relaxed when I go to bed and I wake up so refreshed. I don’t worry about the potential sharp pain on my thigh or lower back as I get out of bed because I know my body is changing.

Another change I’ve noticed is my stamina. I’m able to walk up the four flights of stairs to get to our apartment without being out of breath at the door. I can also easily run a mile without stopping.

I heard it takes 21-days to make or break a habit. Every day I say this habit won’t break. I know that my body needs its own time to prepare for my day. We do so much in a day and we ingest a lot of different things to keep us awake or energized and our body doesn’t always work off those extra calories.

Changing your lifestyle into a healthier one is fun! You get to learn about what your body's needs, you feel great after making a healthy decision and there are so many resources out there for you to learn from.

I’m no expert on being completely healthy but I am a beginner and I like where it’s going. 

It’s also important to find a diet and exercise routine that works best for you.
  • Don’t over work yourself or set unrealistic goals.
  • Don’t compare yourself to others.
  • Work at your own pace.

Before I figured out a fitness routine by combining various sources I would try many work out routines and if I couldn’t even move or breathe I would just stop and yell “nope, not for me.” My sisters would laugh at me but I wasn’t going to kill myself just to be super sore all day.

What motivates me to exercise every day is marking it on my calendar. Having it there at a time I know I can work with motivates me to get it done. Another helpful tool is the My Fitness Pal app. The app tells you how many calories you burn from certain workouts and how many you’re taking in when you eat. You can set your own goals and it recommends a custom diet plan.

Like I said, I am no health expert. But I do support a healthy lifestyle.


So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 
— 1 Corinthians 10:31

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 



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