New Decade

It's that time of year again when people start their New Year's resolutions and, if they are lucky, stick with them until March.  For me, this year is all about being the healthiest I can be, being present (tendency to plan too much and not enjoy the moment) and living the life I desire. 

What does being healthy mean for me? Well, I will turn 30 (oh how I hate the sound of that number) and start a new chapter in my life. In my 20s, "health" was all about trying to be thin, which I achieved some years and not so much others.  I was also taking time to discover myself by learning what was important to me, things I liked or disliked, activities I enjoyed and the lifestyle I wanted to live, etc.  I have learned a lot about myself over the past ten years.  I now know that being healthy is not just the way I look, but the way I feel. Feeling healthy means having energy, being free of illnesses (i.e. upset stomach) and enjoying life.  It is important to me to be in a positive environment and one that supports my healthy habits.  The activities I discovered and love are yoga, running, spinning and weight training.  These are all things I learned how to do in my 20's that me feel good about myself and give me energy.  Also, through all these activities I have gained confidence and contentment with myself resulting in a healthier mind, body and soul.  So this year I want to focus on all the activities I love and enjoy to keep myself healthy and happy in my 30's and beyond!!

All of this brings me to that dreaded four letter word diet.  As I previously mentioned, I used to focus so much energy on being thin; therefore, I was always on a diet.  Since I developed my food allergies, diet no longer means constricting my caloric intake, it means finding a diet I can live on and feel great. It means finding food I can eat without being miserable. It means finding foods I can eat to give me energy and the nourishment my body needs.  Now, you might be wondering, exactly what is my diet that does all these wonderful things? And how did I finally discover what foods work for my body?

The diet that works well for my body is gluten, wheat, dairy, casein and egg free. It consists of meats, fruits, vegetables and healthy whole grains, such as quinoa.  I have been following these guidelines for over a year and discovering what works for my body by trial and error. It is my new way of living and not one that I consider a diet. It is the way I will live the rest of my life to ensure I stay healthy.  

Every body is different and what works for my body may not work for your body. If you are trying to discover what works for you, then you might consider researching the Eat Right For Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo. I recommend this book to help you find your diet based on your blood type. 

How did the Eat Right For Your Type help me? Well, my blood type is O+, which means my body thrives on animal protein, but not all animals.  For example, it is not beneficial for my body to have ham, pork or bacon.  Type Os do not digest wheat and dairy very easily, but their are alternatives like soy-milk (high in protein).  Also, most vegetables and fruits are good for Type Os, but usually will have digestion problems with some vegetables (corn and cauliflower).  As you can see, it has helped me find what works for my body to keep it healthy and full of energy. It might work for you too. But then again, it might not. 

Take the time to listen to your body and discover what will keep it healthy, energized and illness free in 2010. Happy New Year!