It’s the middle of winter and it’s blustery and cold. You are leaving for vacation in three days! Five nights and six days at an all-inclusive resort in warm, sunny Mexico. How exciting! Why are you not excited?
You are not excited because you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. You muster up the energy to start sorting through your summer clothes. Ugh… your shorts are tight and your shirts don’t fit right. You have a few flowy dresses that will do. You think to yourself, “Maybe if I eat salad and hard boiled eggs and hit the gym for the next three days all will be right in the world.”
Not quite!
So you pull out your extra large gorgeous bright purple suitcase and start packing. What will be comfortable? What will look good on you? You know that while on vacation you give yourself a pass to enjoy food—drinks by the pool, maybe a decadent dessert or two—but what will be comfortable and fit by the end of those six days? You end up throwing everything in and now you have to sit on the suitcase to get it shut.
You think to yourself, “When I get back, I need to change my lifestyle.” This is not fun; in fact, it makes you feel pretty crappy.
Now imagine you make that lifestyle change.
You give up all of the foods that were causing you to feel sick and tired and that cause inflammation. You’re eating lots of fruits and veggies, high-quality grass-fed beef and no processed foods. You’re moving more and feeling better every day. You’re in sync with your mind and body. Being healthy is much more important than having cheat days.
Suddenly, it’s time for vacation again! Are you excited? Heck yes! You walk into your closet and put together several outfits for hanging by the pool, a few dresses for some beautiful dinners by the ocean, and some workout clothes. No need to try them on. Your new lifestyle suits you well and you’re feeling great.
You still bring out the extra large gorgeous bright purple suitcase. You start to pack and realize how much room you still have. Thank goodness because you have food to pack. Some breakfast foods, nuts, quinoa, and red lentil pasta (uncooked, of course), and maybe an organic dark chocolate bar as a treat. You want to be prepared so that you are set up for success to continue your healthy lifestyle.
You’re feeling so good that when you get to the resort, you confidently tell the wait staff about your allergies (foods you can/will not eat). Everyone is very accommodating. Your mind has shifted to the point where a great workout and a massage are decadent for you instead of eating food that actually makes you sick.
The best gift of all—to yourself—is arriving back home feeling great. No after-vacation blues because you’re back in the cold weather and feeling sick and tired. You still feel great!
You now realize how your lifestyle change has changed your life in every way. Healthy feels better than food tastes… where will you travel next?
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