HI!

Happy Thursday! This has been the longest week ever and to be honest, I’m ready for some sushi and really bad reality TV.

BUT, I’m really glad you’re here because I wanted to share what this “healthy lifestyle” means to me. I know I talk a lot about it but what does living a healthy lifestyle really mean?

I believe that the word health means much more than just food and fitness. It’s the words from our mouth, it’s your mental health, it’s work/life balance and overall how you react to situations in your life.

To me, a healthy lifestyle is something that is sustainable AND enjoyable for the rest of your life. Not a fad diet, not a temporary fix.

So let’s dive in on these 10 Healthy Habits That Changed My Life!

10 Healthy Lifestyle Habits That Changed My Life

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Habit 1: Starting My Days With Self Development/ Jesus Before Social Media

Before I even got out of bed in the morning, I was on my phone. I would be checking every social media and e-mail and I was starting to notice how anxious I felt throughout my day. Looking at my phone right away in the morning put me in a state of reaction.

It immediately put this unconscious pressure on myself to do more, to hustle more, start my day quicker so I didn’t fall behind. At the end of the day, I noticed all I was focusing on was what others were doing and I wasn’t getting anywhere.

I have a rule now that I can’t look at any social media or even be on my phone until I’ve read my devotional, spent time with Jesus, and listened to something to motivate me for the day.

When I talk to Jesus, my heart changes for the day ahead. I have a clear vision, I’m reminded to keep my focus on Him and His presence. When I go on social media I’m able to handle whatever I see with a different heart. No comparison, no reactions, just love for everyone I see!

Habit 2: Getting Up Early For Alone Time 

When I feel rushed in the morning to get somewhere, or I haven’t had time to wake up, have my coffee and alone time, the rest of my day is thrown off. I need that time in the morning to prepare my heart for the day and be ready for whatever comes my way.

Your alone time could be working out, or going for a walk. Whatever it is, make time for yourself in the quiet of the morning before anyone starts to demand your attention.

Habit 3: I Stopped Binge Drinking 

I say binge drinking because I still love to have a glass of wine or a cocktail here & there. I’m not against drinking but I definitely needed to slow down. I started drinking at a pretty young age and it was always part of my life.

Sidenote: (My facebook time-hop reminded me today I got my first minor 10 years ago – I had just turned 15!)

Drinking had always been something that my friends and I would do, and we would have a blast but when I look back at high school or college, most of my memories involved alcohol. I’m outgoing when I want to be but naturally, I’m shy and drinking always made me feel like I could just be myself.

This lead to essentially digging myself into a deeper hole and it wasn’t until I switched my mindset to fitness that I realized just how much I allowed alcohol to control my confidence. I feel like that’s when I lost a lot of friends, a lot of my weekend plans changed but that brings me into my next habit.

Habit 4: Focusing On Serving Those Who Choose To Stay Instead Of Fighting For Others To Notice / Their Approval 

I am a hardcore people pleaser. I’ve always been one to naturally care what people thought of me and very much put my worth to that. It was really hard for me when I moved to Minneapolis, I lost the majority of my college friends in one way or another, we didn’t have that common ground anymore and it was really lonely.

I had to wake up at 4 AM every day to go to work at the gym and it became impossible for me to go out at night anymore. I now know that it was a blessing in disguise those early wake-up calls because it really separated me from the life I had been a slave to and I was starting to find my confidence in just me, not drunk me.

Once I found that confidence through fitness and feeling good every day, that’s when I truly understood what it meant to let people leave. If they aren’t serving you and making you better, let them go. You do not have to please everyone. I focus on serving the people who choose to stay both in real life and my business!

Habit 5: 30 Minute Workouts + Not Having A Gym Routine

I’ve said this before but I haven’t always been into health and fitness. Even now, It’s hard for me to say I’m a fitness blogger because I really don’t think I look the part. I always thought I wouldn’t be taken seriously or people wouldn’t do my workouts because of that. In the last few months, I’ve been so at peace with my mission, and it’s not to try and be #bodygoals to someone else, I know I’m strong, I’m quick, I eat well and I’m happy!

The reason why exercising for 30 minutes a day has changed my life is because it has allowed me to make this a lifestyle forever. I can do anything for 30 minutes, I never have an excuse and I never have to be a slave to the gym. The gym isn’t my life, it isn’t why I get up in the morning. My mission is to share that with people.

I also get asked a lot about how I stay motivated and there isn’t a great answer for that because no one is motivated all the time. But I created a lifestyle that allows me to never be bored again! I will always switch it up, I have a goal and plan to workout 5x a week but each day is different. Switching to that mindset has changed my entire view on fitness.

Habit 6: Letting Go Of Control 

When I left college I tried to move to Colorado to start fresh. I convinced my family and friends it was just what I wanted and needed. I grew up always believing in Jesus but never had a relationship with Him.

My brother Nathan has always been an example to me. He found amazing friends in college who shared the same faith. I felt like I didn’t have that. I did meet some beautiful people through Nathan but I always thought I wasn’t a “good enough Christian” to deserve and accept those friends.

I always wanted to be involved in church so Nate invited me to a Sunday night service that was for young adults. It was the Sunday before I was leaving for CO and one minute into the worship I just lost it, I was balling. I could hear God loud and clear telling me that CO was not where I was supposed to go, that the guy I was with was not for me.

I had already packed the car! My parents took off work, rented a trailer and we were ready to go. I dropped out of school. COLORADO WAS HAPPENING.

I felt it heavy on my heart to not go. And still, I went.

Before I could even make it through the 12-hour drive, I found out that the sublease we were about to rent from was a scam and illegal. The next day we turned around and drove home. That’s when I gave up the control to my life and surrendered to Jesus. I let Him tell me where to go next and that’s when I moved to Minneapolis.

Things don’t always go as planned, but be thankful for that because there is a reason.

Habit 7: Choosing Foods For Fuel VS Satisfaction 

Many times in my life I associated food with comfort. I would give into cravings without paying attention to what I was actually eating. I soon realized as I worked out more I needed to fuel those workouts for better results. I noticed the food I ate would get me to my goals even quicker than working out would. I switched my mindset with food and used it to fuel my body. I eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full. I keep a balance of fats, carbs, and protein on my plate and it’s completely changed my relationship with food.

Here is a blog post all about having a healthy relationship with food: here

Habit 8: Speaking Kind Words To Myself – Treating Myself As I Would Treat Others 

I used to be so hard on myself for every little thing. I would look in the mirror and cry over what I saw. It doesn’t matter how “skinny” I got I was fighting some serious demons in my mind and heart. I saw myself as not desirable and would compare every inch of my body to someone else’s. The hardest thing about this whole healthy lifestyle was switching the mentality about myself. It’s still a struggle sometimes, I would be lying if I said I had it all figured out.

Some days are good and some days aren’t, the only difference now is on the hard days, I sit in more silence with Jesus, I repeat in my head all the things I am grateful for a million times a day. I thank Him for my health, my ability to walk, jump, see, hear, run. I thank Him for it all and it shifts my focus to all I am instead of the lies in my head of what I’m not.

Habit 9: Less Complaining

Boy oh, boy did I complain. About everything! Complainers usually don’t even realize they’re complaining. We all do it though and it’s normal.

What I’ve practiced these last few years is to again, remain grateful but to pray more. For example, last year my car got broken into and an old shoebox of memories from when I was a kid was stolen. My first reaction could have been anger or sadness. My window was busted, my possessions were taken from me and not to mention every time I drove after that I felt the presence of a stranger in my vehicle.

But I didn’t let it get to me. I just prayed for the person who broke in my car. There was nothing else I could do at that point. Some things are beyond our control and when I switched to prayer over complaining my entire life changed. When something beyond your control happens, pray for open eyes to see what’s next and an open heart to accept it and move on.

Habit 10: Being My Own Cheerleader 

Last but not least, being my own cheerleader. The majority of people are truly only concerned about themselves. It’s the sad truth. When I started working out, Instagram and YouTube weren’t a thing. I didn’t have someone I followed that I could look up to or get workout ideas. I didn’t have a coach, or friends that I worked out with. I had to keep myself going for myself. I couldn’t rely on other people to keep me accountable and reach my goals.

I find that the same rule applies now with my business. I get a ton of support, but no one cares about my business more than me. It’s my job to cheer myself on, and celebrate myself because I can’t expect anyone else to!

Although, I genuinely think I have some of the sweetest people who choose to support me each day. THANK YOU!

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I hope you took something away from this, maybe a habit you can try out for yourself. Or maybe you can relate to one of these habits?! I would love to hear from you now. 🙂

P.S. if you want to create healthy habits in your life and live with more confidence, come join my Fit Freedom Project! My online 6-week confidence and fitness course! 6 modules to become more confident, create healthy habits, learn to love yourself and more.  PLUS 6 weeks of at home workout videos, private facebook group, and so much more. 

See ya there!

all my love,