We all know them. Those women who seem to glow from the inside out. They’re healthy and happy and they make it seem effortless. Have you ever wondered about the habits of healthy, happy women you know?
First, let’s talk about the title of my book, Your Holistically Hot Transformation. If you’ve read it or follow me on social media, then you get what it means to be ‘holistically hot,’ but some aren’t so understanding. I’ve had women tell me that my message is misguided or suggest I change the title because they think it refers to physical appearance. Understandably so, but that’s not the case. ‘Holistically Hot’ refers to a healthy, happy woman whose beauty shines from the inside out.
Now that we’ve cleared the air on that, let’s talk about some habits of these ‘Holistically Hot,’ or, in other words, habits of healthy, happy women.
They count nutrients, not calories
With no shortage of apps, extreme diets and exercise fads available to anyone who knows how to perform a Google search, it can be tempting to resort to counting calories as a means of staying on track or losing weight, but this isn’t the reliable or sustainable method. The healthiest women are well-informed on what constitutes a balanced meal and take care to fuel themselves accordingly.
They know how to listen to their bodies – and they actually do it
In my eight years of coaching, I’ve witnessed how women fall prey to mindless and emotional eating. In the absence of knowing what to eat or how to fuel, we rely on hearsay, learned habits, what we’ve been told by a friend or a parent, or read online. These same women are floored when they finally discover how to listen to and honor their bodies. No more skipping lunch because eating isn’t something you do alone and Happy Hour is later, no more suffering through the same soggy salad every single day. No more wondering what to eat and when. They know their bodies’ cues and choose their fuel accordingly.
They get back on track when they fall off
In spite of the above, life happens. Sometimes we get sick or eat pizza. The happiest, healthiest women don’t beat themselves up over this. Their bodies crave real food and they know that every meal is another opportunity to make a healthy choice.
They prioritize self-care
Any one of us can think up a million reasons why we don’t have time to put ourselves first – work, family, social obligations, but really who are you being if you’re too busy to take care of yourself? Showing up fully for the things that are most important in your life means showing up for yourself first. Self-care can be sustainable, meaning it doesn’t have to be another item on your daily to-do list. Consider ways to build it into your day – a 5 minute meditation every morning, regular gym dates in your calendar, a detox bath a few evenings a week. I guarantee you’ll be happier and healthier as a result.
They’re not lured by diet trends or fads
Souping, juicing, paleo, vegan – there are no less than 100 different dietary theories and trends to choose from, which is why I’ve observed some of the happiest, healthiest women are those who avoid them and put in the time and commitment to find out what works for them as individuals. It may be some of one and a little of another and it may change as time goes on. On a personal level, I’ve noticed that what worked for me in my 20’s, stopped being effective in my 30’s so I’ve had to make adjustments as necessary with my primary goal being to stay in alignment with and support how I want to feel on a daily basis.
They cook at home more often than they dine out
Sure, it can be easier to order in and have your food delivered and catching up with friends over bar food might seem like a good idea at the time, but making it a priority to plan your meals and cook your own food is a key ingredient for health and happiness. It’s up to you to set boundaries around how many nights you dine out and when you’ll get after your weekly meal prep. Instead of going out for meals, you can invite your friends over for a potluck or home-cooked meal. Believe me, they’ll appreciate it! You’ll feel better knowing what you’re putting in your body and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed rather than tired and sluggish.
They stay curious about food and how it makes them feel
Having a truly happy, healthy relationship with food means exploring which foods fuel you and which foods zap your energy. It’s different for everyone. For example, some people do fine with gluten or dairy while others need to limit or cut it out completely. Putting time and attention toward figuring this out rather than ignoring it or going cold turkey on every single food without first exploring for yourself can help you clarify the best foods and ways of eating for you. Likewise, they pay attention to symptoms and don’t just slap a band-aid on them, look for the underlying causes and seek to understand their behaviors and patterns on the road to transformation.
They get plenty of sleep
Right up there with self-care, sleep can be an easy one to sacrifice. It’s the first to go when life gets busy. I’m not going to list here all the reasons you should get plenty of sleep. You know them already. Your job is to make sure you do it.
They know how they want to feel and do what it takes to get there
Setting goals is all about understanding how you want to feel and who you want to be then working backward to figure out what actions it will take to make it happen. You’ll feel a major surge of accomplishment when you start seeing results and feeling like your best self.
They set goals and follow through
Without goals, you might as well be walking in circles. Getting from point A to point B isn’t easy. There are setbacks and frustrations along the way and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication, commitment and consistent action. Happy, healthy women understand this and persevere because they know the goal is within reach and everything they need to reach those goals is within them.
Anything I missed? What are some habits of healthy, happy women you know? Sound off in the comments below!
Have you read my new, best-selling book, Your Holistically Hot Transformation: Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle Free of Dieting, Confusion and Self-Judgment? Check it out and finally trust yourself to make slimming, nutritious and energizing choices without fad dieting.
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