I have been exceptionally motivated lately. I’ve made peace with the fact that the five major food groups do not consist of wine, pork, cheese, ice cream and coffee. I have dedicated myself to regular physical exercise. In turn, I am waking up every morning feeling fresh, alive and charged.

When I realized that I was slowly and unwittingly committing myself to a healthier lifestyle, I took a moment to ponder what could have propelled me to take a turn for the better (or the worse, depending on how you look at it). I concluded that the desire to feel amazing in my summer skin was the motivating force behind all of this and, in a round about sort of way, has left me with a surplus of motivation that I don’t care to dismiss any time soon. The onset of warmer weather fast tracked me into thinking about shorter shorts, whimsical dresses and bathing suit season. After months of hibernating in doom and gloom garb, it’s a pleasant feeling to shed those layers  and be content with what exists beneath. But in my heart of hearts, and after a year of over-indulging, I knew that probably wouldn’t be the case. The last 4 weeks have therefore been a dedication to reinventing and reinvigorating my body and, consequently, my mind.

I am no nutritionist or dietitian, but there is one thing I do know and that is what makes my body feel good. I have a reasonable handle on what to eat if I am truly going  to go down the path of like-minded health nuts. Although I have this foundation of knowledge, it is barely appealing to a self-admitted glutton. So I’ve been indulging in my favourites but with moderation. That is truly the key to keeping up with your healthy lifestyle without going completely insane. Instead of yo-yo dieting, I am finding that as long as I eat well most of the time, I can easily enjoy a deliciously rich meal when I so desire. But this sweet and simple change in lifestyle is two-fold.

Part deux includes something that I have forever detested and that is: running. I have always been the one to opt for an extra 20 minute snooze rather than getting my sweat on in the early morn. But one day in late May I forced myself to go for a run. I started out (embarrassingly) small, but I quickly found myself eagerly seeking the time and space to allot another run into my schedule. In the same sentiment that I apply to food, I exercise in moderation: 3 or 4 times a week I will run for only 20 minutes. It doesn’t seem like much, but it is making a difference. I can feel it. I am no revolutionary in saying that running also acts a mental cleansing agent, but I’m finding these 20 minute spurts of hitting the pavement ever so helpful in organizing my thoughts or clearing my head, if only for a short time.

And although I will never turn down a piece of guancale or a glass of something special, maintaining everything in moderation has been a useful method to the madness that is a healthier lifestyle.

Do you have any tips or tricks to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Drop us a line, we’d love to know your secrets.