As my wedding day approaches, I am staying mindful of making healthy choices and implementing healthy habits. I find it easy to have moments where I fall into the rut of the “get thin” mindset. I’ve wasted enough time with wedding dress measurement stress. Like everyone else, I’m not perfect. I splurge sometimes, I eat more than I should, I indulge in pizza and ice cream on occasion. I’ve found it’s about allowing yourself to enjoy little indulgences amidst practicing healthy habits the majority of the time.

The words that seem to be discussed most often in this day and age are

“losing weight” or “weight loss” or “lose inches” or “shrink”.

The problem I have with this terminology (even though those words are in the title of this post) is that they scream “lack” and “struggle” and “loss of sanity.”

I prefer to think of the process as GAINING so much, not LOSING. Gaining strength, gaining endurance, gaining health, gaining overall body function (losing fat is just one of many benefits of making healthy food & exercise choices). If the process seems like a terrible struggle, you are surely not doing the most healthful way.

I am in a constant state of balancing: 1. Eating without a restricted feeling and 2. Staying mindful of what I’m putting into my body.

This urge to eat is intensified on days when I run extra mileage. It is even more important on these days that I make healthy decisions so I don’t get deterred from my goal: to eat clean, organic food the majority of the time. My fiancée calls me a “lioness” because of my ferocious appetite.

In all of this, I keep these certain things in mind to make sure I am becoming more fit and toned without sacrificing health:

1. Break a sweat once a day.

Most days I’ll run 2-8 miles and some days I will simple do some push-ups and squats at home but either way I’m staying consistent with having my body endure activity every day.

2. Don’t think: Lose weight. Think: Gain Health.

3. Drink a big glass of water.

When I feel my hungriest, I find doing this not only revitalizes me, but it helps me to not be such an animal in the kitchen.

4. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

Make them the focus of each meal, not the side. Plants have an incredible ability to revitalize and nourish the body.

5. Drink a daily elixir or detox drink.

My favorite concoctions are 1. lemon juice/coconut vinegar/raw honey/water and 2. spinach & water blended together. Having a routine of drinking this each day helps me keep a healthy focus on food.

6. Buy organic products. Yes, it’s worth the extra money.

7. Appreciate the beautiful body you have.

Might not sound like the first thing on your mind when you’re trying to improve your body. However, I find that becoming healthier and more fit while loving and appreciating your body is the road to success, whereas hating and being overly critical about your body while trying to improve will make your success diminish, as you are then in a negative state of mind. Negative is not productive.

8. Smile! Be happy.

I know that a happy Jesica is an energetic, productive, focused and inspired Jesica.

My ultimate goal is to be the healthiest me–Not the skinniest or thinnest. I think most people perhaps have the same goal, yet they go about it in unhealthy ways that ultimately are detrimental to the body.

Picture yourself where you want to be, live in the moment, focus on health, and don’t sweat the little details. (What I’m telling myself)

Did I mention I’m getting married this year? Wahoooooo (I’m so lucky he picked me!)