Invest in your health...

Ever go to the grocery store with full intent to buy healthy foods until you get there and look at the prices? You think, "why does it cost so much to eat healthy?" However, just the day before you purchased a special outfit for an occasion, knowing that you had tons of things in your closet. You ordered impulsively on Amazon without a second thought. You purchased an expensive purse just because you wanted it and convinced yourself that you deserved it. Meanwhile, your body aches, your digestive track is off kilter, you have severe menstrual cramps, constant allergy symptoms, major fatigue and the list goes on. Despite all of your unwanted health issues, you look at the food prices and opt to purchase the not so healthy food instead.

I am guilty of all of the above. In the more recent months I've begun to invest more in my internal rather than my external. Sure, I like nice things, new outfits, shoes and purses. I love make-up and hair products. Though I still make unnecessary external purchases on occasion, I understand that my health is more important. It is my health that is going to carry me through life, not the new clothing or lipstick. So, I've scaled back a bit. I purchase less expensive make-up and try my best not to buy on impulse. Before I purchase something new to wear, I think about what I have in the closet and often, I convince myself that I don't need it. I've started cooking more and experimenting with new herbs, spices and recipes. Cooking your own foods is healthier than eating out. Sure, your can eat out with your friends and family and you can cheat. However, be reminded that what you put inside of your body impacts how healthy you are.

As I get older, I'm learning that the aches and pains and conditions won't go away if I don't treat my body right. It's better for me to spend the money on healthier foods to preserve my body and keep it as well as I possibly can. If I'm blessed to live a long life, I want to be healthy living it. Whoever coined the quote, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything." could have made a ton of money on that. It is the absolute truth.

I've personally lived with and have gained more over time, conditions and illnesses. I don't want to continue to give the pharmaceutical industry my money, so I've made lifestyle changes to improve my health and get rid of the medicine. This takes will power and patience but it is so worth it.

The next time you have the best intentions to purchase vegetables, fruit, healthier alternative waters, healthier snacks and cereals, don't talk yourself out of it. Ask yourself, will the new pair of shoes that I most likely will spend more on, preserve my life or will the healthier food options? It's really that simple.

It's all about making choices one step at a time. Get out there and exercise. Begin doing something light. Eat a piece of fruit instead of chips. Eat beans instead of white rice. Buy whole wheat pasta. Eat light whole grain breads and please, don't skimp on the green leafy vegetables. Best and most important of all, drink plenty of water.

Do you want to grow old gracefully? It's not the creams, potions, Botox and lifts that will keep you that way, it's what you put inside of you that will make the difference.

Enjoy eating well. The cost of your health should have no price tag.

#becomeabetteryou #mindbodyspirit #beblessedandbewell

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