I had the best conversation a few weeks ago about two of my favorite subjects: Exercise and nutrition.
While I am not an expert on either subject, through a lot of trial and error, I am becoming quite the expert on how training and nutrition applies best to MY body. Which brings me to the theme of the conversation I had on this topic. To sum it up, at one point in the conversation, someone said:
“It’s your body. You make the rules.”
How true is that?
As adults, we are all accountable for our own health and wellness not our trainers, our friends, our insurance companies, or our families. While it’s wise to seek their advice, it’s our responsibility to do additional research and apply what works based on our goals, beliefs, preferences, abilities, and lifestyle choices. What works for you might not work for me and visa versa.
Here are some of the general rules I live by when it comes to training and nutrition:
- Everything in moderation, including moderation. (Thank you, Julia Child)
- Eat a diet rich in protein, moderate in healthy fats, and low to moderate in carbohydrates.
- Eat whole, unprocessed foods 90% of the time.
- Cross-train, but don’t do exercise that makes you cross. Translation: I add variety to shake up my workouts but don’t torture myself with workouts I dread. For example, I have two left feet like this guy so I avoid step classes at all costs.
- Change is good. Change up your workouts every 4-6 weeks to keep your body guessing.
- Take at least one full day off from working out each week to recharge the batteries (and that includes the iPod battery, too)
- Sleep well. That means no caffeine after 3:00 P.M. unless it’s an emergency, which brings me to the next rule…
- Sometimes you have to break the rules. I once had a rule that I would not eat anything that had a head (except for lettuce), but I changed that rule because I believed my body needed the extra protein so I brought back fish for a spell. I’ve also had rules that my diet would be entirely plant-based which started when the thought of eating one more egg white totally grossed me out. Now, as a general rule, I eat what my body is craving.
- Drink a lot of water (I know, I know, a total violation of my “moderation” rule, but these are my rules, so…)
- Repeat previous rule.
What are some of the rules you have for your body?
Now I really must go drink some H2O and hit the gym for a new workout. Thanks for reading every body….you rule!
Miz says:
July 20th 2010I LOVE THAT. same as being the expert of your own bod and you know I agree.
and you know Im a misfit :)
my rules really are that there are zero hard and fast rules and, right now, that works for me.
Heather Morgan says:
July 20th 2010Jodi is right. You and I were separated at birth. The vegetarian thing, the “insurance companies don’t own your body, they just think they do” thing… All of it. I cannot tell you how timely this post is due to a big decision I made yesterday. One where I went with intellect blended with intuition and came out with a different answer than the medical field has for me. Time will tell. But, that’s where the “sometimes you break the rules” comes in, only I’d like to call it “change the rules” in this case. ;)
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
July 20th 2010It’s so true–you know your body best. I’m with you: I can’t do step aerobics (or any group class for that matter) because I’m so uncoordinated. That’s OK. I know what works for me.
Tweets that mention My 10 rules for healthy-living | Fitness & Spice -- Topsy.com says:
July 20th 2010[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by carla birnberg, Joanna Sutter. Joanna Sutter said: My 10 Rules for Healthy Living: http://bit.ly/9SBics [...]
Deb says:
July 20th 2010Using common sense infused with knowledge of what makes you feel healthy – that’s the way to go! I’m not a vegetarian but I eat a mostly vegetarian diet because it feels best. However, if I’m hungry for meat, I eat it! I like your comment about eating nothing with a head. I know a woman who won’t eat anything with eyelashes, so chicken and fish are okay but cows and pigs are out!
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
July 20th 2010If you know me, you know I say it is all about what is right for you & not anybody else.. not your friend, neighbor or any other person that wants to say their way or the highway.
I am pretty much in your camp for every thing you wrote. I have always made up my own plan & changed it along the way as my bod told me too…. I am still doing that 25++ years later! :-)
Brittany says:
July 20th 2010Many of your rules are methods I try to live by as well. Drinking lots of H20 and everything in moderation are two of my favorites. But, in general, I try not to make too many rules for myself because they always end up being broken.
And, I’m right there with ya on not doing choreographed cardio classes. I can keep up with zumba, but anything more detailed I’m all over the place and looking like a crazy women. haha
Tanya says:
July 20th 2010I was just thinking about this yesterday. I have rules that work for me – but there are so many paths that can take people to their own healthy place – and I wish more people would respect that. My own food rules include just limiting sugar (it makes me eat more – and that includes cane sugar, honey etc & every other 3.4 calorie version there is) and limit fats. For exercise, I just recently got off the ‘do what others say is right’ to realize that I need to aim for working out everyday while allowing 1 or 2 days max for the days I just can’t for whatever reason. For me, it’s a consistency thing – once I take 2 days off in a row … it’ll blow up to 3 or 4.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says:
July 20th 2010Love moderation in moderation. That’s great. I don’t really have any set rule that I aim to follow. It’s just how I live – like clean eating, vegetarianism, tons of water… I used to think I had to workout x number of hours a day or week, and I have really let that one fall aside and am so much better for it. Sometimes you don’t need no stinkin’ rules ;-)
Susan says:
July 20th 2010I totally agree! Sometimes you have to break the rules and that’s ok. I think everything in moderation makes total sense. I have yet to find a workout routine that I don’t totally dread. :)
MaryZ says:
July 20th 2010Love this post! I have finally found what works for me to keep my energy high and my weight stable. It’s all about what your body likes…mine likes a mostly vegetarian diet with a little animal protien now and then along with good hard workouts!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says:
July 20th 2010So many of the rules are rules of mine too :-) Especially the moderation thing– I’m very big on that!
Donna Bush says:
July 20th 2010Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been my happiest & healthiest when living by the “all things in moderation” motto. Big changes can be tough, but taking them one step at a time and looking at them with a different perspective makes them so much easier. Great stuff, Joanna.
Rita @ The Giggly Bits says:
July 20th 2010Love it. I spoke to a dietitian a few months ago who said the same thing about being a vegetarian. It is like the holy grail for some people and they have never felt better and others don’t function as well with it.
I think it’s important to try a variety of new things to see what works, you never know the thing that may prove to be your breakthrough.
Fit Chick in the City says:
July 20th 2010Other than everything in moderation (other than meat), I too avoid any sort of dance/step classes. Can’t do it, don’t like it, don’t want to do it so I only torture myself with that type of workout when I have to.
Yum Yucky says:
July 20th 2010Crud. I am not doing the “sleep well” thing. In bed at almost midnight and then up a 5am does NOT make for a good 4-mile run. Boo.
kalli@fitandfortysomething says:
July 20th 2010this is so great joanna. very true to listen to your body and what works for you. i tend to take more than one day off a week because it is what i need!
Melissa says:
July 20th 2010Like you, I have so many rules. But my favorite is knowing when to break the rules.
april says:
July 20th 2010I follow all those rules too! We have very similar diets!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says:
July 20th 2010I truly believe in making your own rules according to your own body! It may take some time to figure it out… but when you do, its so worth it :)
Carbzilla says:
July 20th 2010“Eat a diet rich in protein, moderate in healthy fats, and low to moderate in carbohydrates.”
That’s the best way I’ve heard that put and the most sane advice I’ve heard in a long time!
FatFighterTV says:
July 20th 2010I do a lot of what you do – lots of water, whole foods, mixing up my workouts, and chocolate. Do you do chocolate? :) And I definitely believe that everybody is different and we gotta do what works for us.
GiGi says:
July 21st 2010My rules: love the food I am eating. work out daily – it’s non-negotiable. go to bed smiling. smile at myself in the mirror whenever I walk by it. drink lots of water and tea. take vitamins and supplements. eat no sugar. eat no dairy. eat no starch. thank the ones I love.
Sheila Viers | Live Well 360 says:
July 24th 2010Ultimately we are each our own fitness expert. My hard and fast rule… listen to my intuition. Period. In that moment. Great post!