Staying Strong. Victoria Montegro
Stick to the recommended serving size and avoid mindlessly snacking throughout the day.
• Limit fast food and takeout:
Fast food and takeout meals are often high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium. Limit your intake of these foods and choose healthier options whenever possible.
Below are some suggestions for reducing your consumption of fast food and takeout:
‣ Plan ahead: Plan your meals for the week in advance, and make sure you have all the ingredients you need. This will make it easier to avoid the temptation of ordering takeout.
‣ Cook in batches: Cook in large batches, so you have leftovers to eat for lunch or dinner the next day.
‣ Keep healthy snacks on hand: When you have healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, or veggies on hand, you'll be less likely to reach for fast food or takeout when hunger strikes.
‣ Use meal delivery services: If you don't have time to cook, consider using a meal delivery service that offers healthy options.
‣ Choose healthier options when eating out: If you do decide to eat out, choose healthier options like salads, grilled chicken, or vegetable stir-fries.
‣ Cook your favorite takeout meals at home: Experiment with recipes and try making your favorite takeout meals at home with healthier ingredients. This way, you can control the ingredients and make them healthier.
‣ Be mindful of portion sizes: Even healthy foods can be unhealthy in excess. Be mindful of portion sizes and aim to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with lean protein, and one quarter with whole grains.
By limiting your intake of processed and high-fat foods, you can reduce your risk of weight gain and other health issues, and support optimal physical health through self-care.
Can it be funny? Sure, here are some funny ways to remember to limit processed and high-fat foods:
✓ "I'm not anti-junk food, I'm pro-health food!" – A funny way to remind yourself that it's okay to indulge in junk food occasionally, but overall, you should focus on eating nutrient-dense foods.
✓ "Don't be a trash can!" – A humorous reminder to avoid filling your body with processed and unhealthy foods that can make you feel like a garbage can.
✓ "Friends don't let friends eat junk food." – A funny way to remind yourself and your friends to make healthier food choices together.
✓ "Eat the rainbow, not just beige!" – A playful reminder to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, instead of relying on beige processed foods.
✓ "If it has a mascot, it's probably not good for you!" – A silly way to remind yourself that many processed foods marketed towards kids are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
Remembering these fun little sayings can help you stay motivated and on track with your healthy eating goals, and promote physical health through self-care.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." – Hippocrates
This quote by Hippocrates emphasizes the importance of using food as a means of maintaining good health and preventing illness. It suggests that the foods we eat can have a significant impact on our overall well-being and that we should prioritize a healthy diet as a form of preventive medicine.
One famous story about food involves former US President Bill Clinton. During his presidency, Clinton was known for his love of junk food, including fast food and McDonald's. However, in 2004, he underwent heart surgery and was advised to change his diet.
In a 2010 interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Clinton shared a funny story about his post-surgery dietary restrictions. He said that while he was allowed to have chicken and fish, he was banned from having any red meat, cheese, or ice cream. He joked that he was "living on chicken breasts and turkey burgers" and that he had become "a pretty good cook."
Clinton then recounted a funny incident where he tried to cook a turkey burger for himself for the first time. He said that he seasoned the turkey patty with all the spices he could find, including cumin, coriander, and chili powder, but it still tasted bland. He then decided to add some mustard to the patty, but accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle and ended up squeezing out a big glob of horseradish instead. The result was a turkey burger that was so spicy, he couldn't eat it.
Despite the mishap, Clinton continued to experiment with cooking and healthy eating, and has since become a proponent of a plant-based diet.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help keep your body hydrated and support optimal physical function.
Let me provide a serious approach to the importance of staying hydrated for promoting physical health through self-care.
Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining good health, as our bodies are made up of about 60% water. Water plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, transporting nutrients, and flushing out toxins. When we don't drink enough water, we can become dehydrated, which can lead to headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and even more serious health problems.
To stay hydrated, it is recommended that adults drink at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water per day, but this amount can vary depending on individual factors such as age, gender, activity level, and climate. It's important to drink water throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty, as thirst is a sign that you are already dehydrated.
In addition to drinking water, you can also stay hydrated by consuming other fluids such as herbal tea, milk, and fresh juices. However, it's important to limit your intake of sugary or caffeinated drinks, as they can have a dehydrating effect on the body.
Overall, staying hydrated is an important aspect of self-care and promoting physical health, so be sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day to support optimal bodily function.
Drinking plenty of water is an important part of self-care and promoting physical health.
Here are some more fun and humorous ways to remember to stay hydrated:
✓ "Drink water like it's your job!" – A funny way to remind yourself to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as if it were part of your job responsibilities.
✓ "H2O is the way to go!" – A catchy phrase to remember the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated.
✓ "Water you waiting for?" – A humorous way to encourage yourself to drink more water and stay hydrated.
✓ "Hydrate like a boss!" – A playful reminder to drink plenty of water and take charge of your health.
✓ "Water: the original energy drink!" – A funny way to remind yourself that water is a natural and effective way to boost your energy levels and support physical function.
Remembering these little phrases can make it more fun and enjoyable to drink water and stay hydrated, which is an important part of self-care and promoting physical health.
"Thousands have lived without love, not one without water." – W.H. Auden
This quote by W.H. Auden emphasizes the crucial importance of water for human survival. It suggests that while people can live without love, no one can survive without access to water. The quote serves as a reminder of the essential nature of water and the importance of protecting this vital resource. It highlights the fact that water is not only important for physical survival but also for our overall well-being and quality of life.
Plan ahead: Set aside time to plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks in advance. This can help you avoid reaching for less nutritious options when you're short on time or feeling stressed.
Here are some strategies that you can use to dedicate time to plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks ahead of time:
• Schedule meal prep time