Five Simple Ways To Have A Happy And Healthy Fourth of July

Five Simple Ways To Have A Happy And Healthy Fourth of July

From time to time, I like to check out what other fitness and health professionals are posting on their blogs regarding specific holidays, so I did a search for health tips for the Fourth of July.  What I mostly found was fitness pros sharing a list of rules that had very little to do with fun and more to do with restricting behavior and dieting.  Ugh!

The whole point of celebrating a holiday is to have a good time and participate in the festivities. That usually includes eating foods that are traditionally served on that specific holiday.  It’s something we look forward to and it’s a wonderful way to bring people together.

It also includes a change in routine.  It’s possible that you may skip your normal exercise routine that day and that’s totally ok and normal.

What’s not ok is feeling guilty because you skipped your workout, drank a mimosa before noon, and ate three helpings of Aunt Sue’s famous potato salad or something similar.  I’m sure you are getting the picture.  We all like to celebrate differently. 🙂

I’m not suggesting complete gluttony and I think it’s a good idea to move throughout the day.  However, it’s important that you celebrate the way you, your family, and your friends choose to.

Take the pressure off of yourself and have fun.  It’s totally possible to do healthy “nonrestrictive” things for yourself while you celebrate.

Here are five simple ideas:

Buy quality ingredients.  No matter what recipes you decide to follow or food you choose to serve, buy whole foods and quality processed foods.

Move because it’s fun and feels good.  Sitting around all day can make your body stiff and make you feel sluggish.  Activities like hiking, flag football, bocce ball, horse shoes, swimming, and marching in a parade are all fun ways to stay active without it feeling like a chore.

Spend time being grateful.  Take a moment to be thankful that we live in one of the best places in the world.  This great nation allows us to pursue life, liberty, and happiness each and every day.  For that, I am truly grateful!

Laugh.  Laughter is good medicine and helps relieve stress.

Stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of water and eat hydrating fruits and veggies like celery and watermelon.  Staying hydrated helps your metabolism function at it’s best.

This Fourth of July, I encourage you to “declare your independence” from the restrictive side of the fitness and diet industry.  Eat foods that you enjoy and agree with your body, and choose exercise you like.

Have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday.

God bless you and America!

Shared with love,

Jennifer

Photo above is courtesy of:   Stephanie McCabe on Unsplash

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

I recently read some facts about every day life in a communist country that is in the news quite a bit these days.  It was surreal for me to even fathom this type of a life because I was born in the United States and I have enjoyed the freedoms of a Republic my entire life.  I recognize that the freedoms I enjoy were not free.  Brave heroes sacrificed their lives for not just their own families, but people they did not even know personally.  To me, that is complete and total love for your country and fellow man.

I do not believe that anyone purposely takes for granted what our veterans that have lost their lives protecting us have sacrificed.  However,  I do believe it’s important that we remind one another and teach the next generation what Memorial Day is all about.  And, that we remember and honor the brave soldiers that literally gave their all.

We live next to a town that has a parade and a big party over Memorial Day weekend.  The name of the event is “Felton Remembers”.  That pretty much says it all.  We remember and we are grateful.

If you haven’t already done so,  I encourage you to take a moment to pause and remember.  Have a wonderful Memorial Day and a fantastic week!

Shared with love,

Jennifer