1. Being healthy is hard.
No... It’s a choice. Really that's all it comes down to. Do I choose to be healthy? (Whatever that means to you.) Do I choose do give myself the upper hand by fueling my body instead of just feeding it? Do I choose to work-out so that my body functions better?
"It’s hard because my children/husband/co-workers don't/won’t eat healthy." I know there are so many things that make it seem like being healthy is impossible but it really isn't. I have had every excuse run through my mind as to why this is so hard, but in the end I have realized I'm worth it. My family is worth it. So I choose to do it.
2. Being healthy is so expensive.
False. Eating junk and being unhealthy is expensive. For my family being healthy means a plant based diet. We eat TONS of fruits and veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. So let’s break this down....
Fruits and veggies... Because we eat so much produce I shop for what’s on sale or what's always cheap. Bananas are always top on my list because they are CHEAP and we use them in our green smoothies, then apples, spinach, mushrooms, onions, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, celery, cabbage... This is my base list. I add to it from what is on sale when I go to the store. So each shopping trip has new "extras."
Whole grains... Oatmeal (not that packet crap... steal cut oats), brown rice, whole wheat flour (I grind our flour and I've found the taste and texture is better if you mix a little AP flour with it), popcorn (that’s right... It’s considered a whole grain. Once again NO pre-packaged stuff. Do air popped), and I bake/make our bread and tortillas.
Nuts/seeds... I always have flax or chia seeds on hand for smoothies and egg substitutes for baking; we get unsalted nuts (all kinds but mainly almonds and cashews). We also eat nut butters (mainly peanut butter because it’s cheaper).
Beans... Dried beans are cheap and pretty easy to cook if you have a rice cooker (that's right) or a crockpot. Even canned beans aren't that expensive.
There are a few things we buy monthly or every other month. Some are listed above but others include soymilk (it’s just too thick for us so I half it with water... Works great), applesauce, dried dates to make "treats", sunflower seeds, pasta sauce, edamame pasta, salsa, and I'm sure there are other things but I can't think of them right off hand.
We are a family of 6 (very hungry family of six) and we eat very well for about $300 a month. Now this is subject to change depending on if it’s a birthday month or the holidays.
Tips for getting kids to get more veggies*
Chop everything VERY small. Like so small they can't tell what’s in the dish.
Do green smoothies with lots of dark leafy greens.
Do pureed soups.
3. I don't have the time...
"Working out takes too much time out of my day." "It's just easier to grab something while we're out." I'm sure in the moment it does seem faster/easier to grab fast food or heat up some freezer something or other. That being said... It’s just as easy to make a healthy choice when you are out running around. Stop at the grocery store and get cut veggies or a fruit bowl or a banana to hold you over. Get a salad. And at home... It just takes a little planning, pre-cut vegetables, lettuce, and fruit when you know you have a busy day coming. Get a big bowl of lettuce, can of beans, vegetables, sunflower seeds, and salsa for a quick lunch/dinner. Do fruit for a morning on the go.
As far as working out goes... Do 20 minutes. Start out with that. Then add on (I promise that once you get in the habit you will find a way to make more time). My mind and body crave working out. It’s something I do that is for me... It makes me a better women, wife, and mother. It makes me happy.
The "I don't have time" excuse is one that gets me every time. I make sure I have time to shop/cook healthy and workout because I don't want to make time to see the doctor or to loose days of being productive because I'm taking care of sick kids! Since becoming vegan we only go to the doctor (excluding teeth and eyes) once a year... And that's just for our well visits. We never (knock on wood) get sick. My kids have energy pouring out of them and can easily walk/jog 5 miles and be just fine (my 4 year olds). These are just some of the blessings that we've seen from "making time" for our health.
When we first became vegan I did it so that I could lose my baby weight (I lost that and then some... 100 lbs.). I would work-out because I wanted to look good. These are still important reasons for me to continue on this path but they are no longer the only reasons. I want to feel good all the time... Not weighed down and heavy because of my diet. I want to keep up with my children and not be worn out after a busy Saturday. I want everything (skin, teeth, hair, and WHOLE body) to be in tiptop shape.
I kind of lost sight of my reasons over the past year but I'm remember why this was so important, why it is important. I'm not only helping myself with a healthy lifestyle but my family as well. My husband is a busy doctor so this lifestyle helps him keep going after a long day at the hospital. This lifestyle is helping my children learn how to enjoy their childhood and avoid an unhealthy adulthood. I was the chubby kid out of breath walking the mile at school. I remember feelings of defeat and being worthless. I don't want that for my kids! (Just FYI... I now can kick "the mile" in the booty without even thinking about it!)
In conclusion being healthy makes your life better. The end.
Update: I have been working out 5-6 days a week. I've upped my weight lifting just because the 10 lb. weights I had been using have become too easy. I now squat 50 lbs. and lift 15 lbs. I have added more vegetables and have grains at only one meal. Trying not to eat after 7:00 pm... Although it's way hard. For some reason after the kids go to bed I feel like I haven't eaten in 3 days. I have one cheat meal or treat a week... This week was ice cream (perfect treat for a blizzard, right?). I have only lost two pounds but I'm not discouraged. I'm doing this for more than just the weight. I want to be strong. I want to be able to carry my children, 40 lb. (older twins) and 35 lb. (younger twins), and it is easy. I want to keep up with my busy life.
I hope your healthy path is becoming a habit and that you are feeling the benefits!
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