New Year, New Leaf, New You - By Stephanie Forgues, New Leaf Wellness

Happy New Year!

There’s no better time than the start of a new year to turn over a new leaf. Most of us make promises to ourselves that we will join a gym, go on a diet, or quit a bad habit as our New Year’s resolution, but how many people actually follow through? The good intentions are there but a gym can seem daunting to someone who has never tried it before, and the membership costs might not be possible for those of us on a budget; a gym can feel intimidating with all those buff people there who ‘know what they’re doing’.

You can go on a diet but how do you know which one works? Which one will leave you feeling so restricted that even the thought of french fries makes you cringe with guilt if you give in to the temptation...even just once?

What if I told you that a lifestyle overhaul wasn’t really that difficult to achieve? What if I told you that if your body has the sufficient nutrients it requires, you can kick a bad habit such as smoking? What if I told you that knowing a few simple steps can change your life, turning you into a new improved-and-in-control-of-your-own-health well person?

It’s a fact that people who know better, do better. If you don’t know what you’re doing, or why, you will have a difficult time achieving the results you are looking for when it comes to wellness.

Many diets out there today are one dimensional, asking you to cut carbs, or cut fats, the problem there is that you are not being properly informed about what you should do and why, you aren’t being taught how to manage your diet on your own. When it comes to your health, be a leader, not a follower.

This is your body, your mind, your life, and you are in control. Knowledge is power. Learn everything you can to help you become a healthy shopper for yourself and your family, eat nutritious foods, and definitely - get active! Quality of your life is much better than just simply living.

You don’t have to leap, take baby steps; you can’t change everything in one day. Start with drinking more water and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables - if you look in a bag of fast food, you’ll notice there isn’t much brightness to what’s inside; fresh vibrant colors give you protection against disease, and energy that takes you through your day (among many other benefits!!!) Incorporating more produce into your life is simple - cut them up ahead of time and put that veggie tray to use that you usually save for parties; you’ll feel (and be!) much healthier than if you continuously slip your hand into a box of cookies or crackers.

These changes are not difficult, they may be just different. The more you concentrate on putting natural wholesome foods into your body, the better you will feel and gradually you’ll want less and less of the nutritionally void foods...try it and see! You deserve to live life well.