What does ‘being healthy’ mean to you?
YOUR meaning. Not the meaning that you have been taught over the last umpteen years…
Do you have a meaning that says you have to eat this way or that way and if you don’t…?
Do you have a meaning that feels heavy?
Do you have a meaning that feels restrictive or rigid?
And when you think about being healthy or wanting to be healthy do you say something to yourself like…
I don’t like healthy food
I don’t want to give up the foods that I like
I’m not ready to be healthy
I’ve tried all the diets and none of them work
It’s too hard to be healthy
It’s my genetics, I can’t do anything about it anyway
What if you could have a meaning of being healthy, be one that felt light and easeful…
If that were the truth, what would your meaning of being healthy be?
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I know, it can be so overwhelming…
When my hair started falling out, I quickly went to what foods and supplements would “fix” my problem.
AND, I already had been studying nutrition and health coaching for some time…
But, I reverted to deeply programmed beliefs. These beliefs that lie way deep in our subconscious that we don’t even know are there and are running the show.
The beliefs were fear-based. Shame-based. They didn't help or contribute to my growth. They only keep the problem there.
I got testing done for food sensitivities. I got my DNA tested and analyzed. I got my microbiome tested. I celery juiced. I did so many things…
It was all fascinating and interesting. Some things made me feel better for some time others didn’t.
AND, I’m not saying these methods are right or wrong.
However, none of it really worked for me. It just brought more frustration.
Fixing
Figuring out
Understanding
Doing
More, more, more
I was approaching the “problem” as if something was wrong with me.
I was chasing something. Chasing health. Chasing wellness. And it seemed to keep eluding me…
I believed I had to go get it.
It was something outside of me that I couldn’t reach.
What if our health and wellness aren’t outside of us or something we need to go get?
What if it’s ours already?
What if it’s already inside of you?
All you have to do is CHOOSE it.
You don’t have to do, work hard, figure out, understand, or fake it til you make it…
It’s all right here ready for you.
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One of my unexplored beliefs was how in the world could I be a Nutritionist, or a health coach if I couldn’t even “figure out” my own “health problem".
It was simply just a program running the show. It wasn’t me; it was a learned program. A learned belief.
I must be perfect in my health to be a health coach and nutritionist.
One of the many great lessons from losing my hair is that I got to create a new belief about what being healthy means to ME and this was exciting!
I asked myself…What if I was already completely healthy and at peace and loved ALL of who I was? Then…what did being healthy mean to me?
This was a process. It didn’t happen overnight AND I’m still creating it...
Remember...it's a practice. Over and over and over. Practice.
This is what I choose what being healthy for me means:
Loving all of me. Bald, white hair, one eye with not many eyelashes, no eyebrows
My amazing body; this ONE body that I was given, that I choose to love
Nourishing my mind and body in the way that feels the best to me and contributes to my life in some way
It means I have a loving relationship with food and body
It means I welcome and embrace the shame, fear, sadness, loneliness, and anger that I feel
It means I do activities that tell my body I do CHOOSE it, like taking baths, drinking lots of water, going to the gym, meditating, breathwork, eating ice cream, going on walks, eating foods that make me feel energized, and healthful
It means choosing to eat foods like pizza or mexican food with joy and presence
I choose that there isn't one right, perfect way or food to eat that will be the answer
This is a relief. It brought ease. It brought power. It brought confidence. It brought me closer to ME. Unapologetically ME. Fearlessly ME.
And, I practice remembering this every day.
So, if I had to lose all my hair to teach me that life is here to support me and has my back AND that I am the perfect person to get to help other people see that within themselves, I AM grateful.
So, let me ask you again...
What does being healthy mean to you?
If you desire to:
Discover your personal power around food
Gain real control over your eating choices
Feel confident about your diet strategy
Achieve your ideal weight, without a fight
Transform your body through kindness
Find true, lasting freedom with food
I can help you.
XO, Deana
A once-trained Division I athlete, and police officer, now turned trained certified nutritionist, health/life coach, and personal trainer. I am a master-in-training for being the space for myself to learn and grow and know the absolute truth of who I am. I am whole, healthy, abundant, love, and free…so are you. I forget this sometimes and that’s perfectly okay. I get to remember and forget and remember…for the rest of my life.
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HEALTHFUL TIP
5 COMPONENTS OF A HEALTHY MEAL
Antioxidants and micronutrients: think of all the things in plants and these components help your body deal with inflammation.
Fiber: An indigestible form of carbohydrate that assists in feeding the gut bacteria. Think fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Protein: An essential macronutrient that plays a role in many bodily functions from composition and satiety to bone health, immune health, heart health, wound healing, and more.
Healthy Fat: We need healthy fat in our meals to stay satiated, absorb nutrients properly, stabilize blood sugar, keep our hair, skin, and nails healthy, and even support brain health.
While I like to focus on adding in all of the above, I do also focus on reducing the following: refined sugars, refined grains, low-quality oils, and inflammatory foods (processed foods).