Fit, Food, Sleep 11/17/2010
 
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It’s alive! Actually, I mean me. It’s true I am still alive and kicking. This past year – wow it’s almost over – has certainly been a test of my endurance. We recently purchased and moved to a new apartment in a completely different neighborhood, and Jay and I were married! Phew! I get tired just thinking about how much has happened this past year.

Now that I am looking back at the past ten months I am first relieved, but very happy that so much was accomplished. But what got me through all that craziness?  Three very important things: I exercised more than I ever have (the dress was tight!) I stayed committed to a healthy diet and got plenty of rest.

I can’t imagine how I would have handled all the stress of moving to a new home and wedding planning without my consistent reprieve in either the gym or my new favorite way to workout, Zumba! While I am always talking about the importance of healthy food as medicine, being fit and including exercise in your routine is also part of the recipe for health. I am the first to admit that I’m a little embarrassed about my new obsession with Zumba, a Latin dance/aerobics class, but it’s a lot of fun! That should be what being fit is all about. My husband, a triathlon coach, was the first person to teach me that being fit is not about finding the hardest thing on your body and hating every minute of doing it. You will never stay committed. Also, start slow with short intervals. I used to hate running because I could never run for more than five minutes without a cramp. Withstanding my doubts, I took his advice and started with simple five to ten minute walk/runs on the treadmill. Soon, I actually craved how I felt when I ran, and I even built enough endurance to run a marathon!

The second important rule to keeping your sanity during a stressful period: keeping your diet consistently healthy. Notice that I used the word “consistently.” That means that no one expects you to be perfect. I certainly had my episodes with butter, chocolate and flour this year. It’s easy not to stay consistent after a few bouts with fat and sugar, but forgive yourself (perhaps even enjoy that treat) and move on. Make the majority of what you eat be fresh vegetables and fruit. Eat plenty of clean protein such as organic or grass feed meats and wild caught fish, or vegetarian proteins like nuts, beans and tempeh. It's okay to indulge every so often. Believe me, my honeymoon in Italy was an exercise in indulgence, but after two weeks of pasta, wine and gelato, my body was begging for kale.

Finally, and this won’t come as a surprise to you, getting enough sleep is vital. This was really tough for my husband and me to commit to, and it still is. We both work evenings and it's quite difficult to go to bed just a couple of hours after getting home. What I have learned is that not getting proper amounts of sleep affects everything: your diet, your desire to be active, and even your whole outlook on the world. Low energy, stress and depression all work hand in hand.

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I want to thank to everyone who remained patient and supportive of me during our crazy year. I’m looking forward to the final delicious months of 2010 and welcoming a new year of health and food adventures.

xo
Kristine

 


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