They Say It’s My Birthday! 44 Ways I’ve Improved My Life
Today I’m laughing. Why? Because I’m thinking back about a decade when I believed the back pain that plagued my 30′s was something I was going to have to live with for the rest of my life. I figured that it was simply a matter of aging. In my 30′s!
If you’ve had a chance to read my story, then you know I looked like this four years ago…
Well, today I turn 44. I’m officially starting the 45th year of my life, and I feel SO much better than I did at the time that photo was taken! Back pain is gone. No more bright orange horse pills. No more inhaler for my asthma. Allergies are almost non-existent. The cancer never made a comeback.
How have I done this? Well, to be honest, I can’t pinpoint any one thing. But I’ve made a whole lot of changes over the last seven years, removing toxins from my life a little at a time and adding practices to reduce stress and build muscle. I now understand that my lifestyle choices have a HUGE impact over the way I feel.
So I want to give a gift to YOU today. I want to share with you what I’ve been doing.
I feel that too often, we don’t hear enough about these little tweaks. We see ads for drugs and we’re often given prescriptions as a first round of treatment.
If you’ve not been feeling so great, please give these steps a try, too. YOU are worth it!
1. Drink warm lemon water in the morning.
2. Ditch the soda, juice, and colored sports drinks. Water. Drink water.
3. Eat greens- romaine, spinach, kale, collards, swiss chard, dandelion, mustard, beet.
4. Take a probiotic supplement or eat fermented foods.
5. Include raw foods everyday.
6. Practice yoga at least once a week.
7. Get outside. Often.
8. Grow your own food. An herb totally counts.
9. Practice meditation. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for 3 minutes. Not while driving.
10. Volunteer.
11. Laugh.
12. Get together with friends. Friends who make you laugh.
13. Learn something new weekly. Dot on top of “i” is called a tittle. There. Got you started.
14. Stop or reduce your gluten intake.
15. Practice gratitude. List all the things going right in your life.
16. Try a new adventure. Often.
17. Meet new people.
18. Watch a TV show that isn’t “reality”.
19. Take a media break every month.
20. Smile. At strangers, too.
21. Eat nuts. But never ask the guy at Whole Foods where his nuts are.
22. Share.
23. Make a meal for someone in need.
24. Eat breakfast. Smoothies count.
25. Be mindful when you eat.
26. Limit your alcohol intake.
27. Make most of your meals from food that comes from the ground. Not boxes.
28. Have sex. Solo counts, too.
29. Eat seaweed. Not off the beach.
30. Read.
31. Ditch the dairy.
32. Throw out the microwave. Okay…eventually throw out the microwave. For now, use less.
33. Eat LOTS of colorful veggies. Every day. Corn doesn’t count.
34. Play with the children in your life.
35. Start and end your day with an affirmation. I AM AMAZING. I LOVE MY LIFE. I HAVE ENERGY.
36. Try a new recipe at least once a month.
37. Ditch the lawn chemicals. Make friends with dandelions.
38. Chew your food.
39. READ LABELS.
40. Find something you are passionate about.
41. Lift weights or plank every week.
42. Burn only soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oils.
43. Recycle. And other such stuff for the planet. Laundry lines, consignment, cloth bags…
44. Face your fears. It’s natural to have them. But don’t let them rule your life.
That is kind of a great article. Excellent tips. I really want to make some changes into my life. I think you are sort of my life-changer:) I will defenitly take this list into consideratin. I hope it willhelp me. Thanks again.
Thank you for your kind words, Kristine! Best wishes to you in your journey toward better health. You can do it!
Wow, you’re really smart for being *only* 44.
Love your list…and the enthusiasm behind it.
haha…thank you, Karyn!!
Great list! Happy Birthday!
Thanks so much, Evelyn. Glad you enjoyed.
Hi Donna, Saw your post on FB and jumped in to see your list. So sweet! I’m remembering how fun it was to meet you, talk, and laugh at LY training. I am also thinking of you as I await our VitaMix to arrive–what do you use for your smoothies?
Hi Lori!! That was super fun, wasn’t it? I switch up my smoothies all the time. You can google smoothie recipes. There are many listed. I also posted a bunch of recipe links on my pinterest board. Spinach is mild and blends really easily, so that’s good for those who are new to smoothies or who don’t have the best blenders. Kale, collard greens, swiss chard, and beet greens are also some of my fave greens to use. Then I just mix with whatever fruits I have available and a water/coconut milk blend. When I have a day of hiking or heavy activities planned, I add brown rice or hemp protein. Maca powder is great for hormone balance (and libido!) and chia and flax seeds add a little extra fiber and phytochemical bonus.
Happy Birthday, Donna! You’ve made an amazing transformation in only four years! Keep up the great work! And thanks for the list!
Thank you, Aline!! I feel so great. I will keep it up. Thanks so much for you support, and you’re very welcome for the list. I’m working on my book now so I can offer more tips to all my supporters.
Great list Donna, you truly practice what you preach…and it shows! I need to get some of your discipline, and I’d be unstoppable too! Help!
I think baby steps are the best way to go, Debbie! Pick a couple things from the list that would work well for you and start there. I think my biggest lesson, too, has been to not be afraid to move out of my comfort zone. I don’t think I’d have done the 5k’s without that! Good luck. I’ll be rooting for you. You will be unstoppable!!