25 healthy lifestyle habits

Life is a constant cycle of impermanence. There are daily changes in everything and everyone. As they say, there are only two things that are permanent in life: death and taxes.

During my school days, I preferred to stay in bed and take the extra zzzzs rather than eat breakfast. My first meal would be at recess time, which would be a cinnamon bun or a donut and a soda like a Coke or royal Tru Orange. Yikes! I was obviously ignorant of the values of good nutrition. Today, I can’t imagine not eating a healthy breakfast to start my day. And I have given up drinking sodas in favor of healthy fruit and vegetable juices and teas. In retrospect, I can think of many more unhealthy habits I had in my younger days, which thankfully I have gotten rid of through sheer will power. Enjoying optimum health with a great quality of life is my ultimate goal when I get old. I am sure you have made several changes in your lifestyle as well, hopefully for a healthier you!

These are my 25 healthy habits as of today.

1. I never skip breakfast. It jumpstarts my metabolism and keeps me from pigging out during lunch. Breakfast consists of a tall glass of carrot/apple juice (three big carrots and one medium-size apple), a small bowl of oatmeal cooked with low fat milk, garnished with prunes and dried cranberries, a slice of toasted multi-grain bread which I eat with low-fat cottage cheese and marmalade. I alternate this with either peanut butter or just plain honey. A cup of brewed coffee with low-fat milk is my caffeine intake of the day.

2. I use Coco Natura for my coffee instead of any kind of artificial sweetener. Coco Natura is from coconut and is 100-percent natural and free from additives, artificial flavorings, and anti-fermenting agents.

3. I eat five or more helpings of fruits and vegetables a day and it’s not a forced ritual because I love fruits and vegetables.

4. I eat fish (usually sardines, salmon and albacore tuna) at least 4 times a week.

5. For what it’s worth, I don’t eat red meat. I get my protein from seafood, nuts, cheese, eggs, and tofu.

6. I drink at least 10 glasses of liquids a day, mostly water, herbal teas, buko juice, fresh fruit juices. I avoid sodas.

7. I like my food broiled, baked, steamed. I avoid fried food.

8. I brush my teeth 3 times a day and floss 3x a day to keep the plaque away. Brushing the tongue is one oral habit that my dentist has recommended to keep harmful bacteria from hibernating in the mouth.

9. I stretch for 15 minutes in the morning before I start any activity. This helps keep the limbs and muscles toned and flexible. ?

10. I try to avoid chemicals in my toiletries by using organic, chemical free toiletries: Organic shampoo and conditioner, organic facial cleansers, paraben-free body lotion, organic shower gel, etc. (One Naturales at Watsons, John Masters, Phyto at Essenses, and Human Heart Nature at Rustan’s Supermarket, are my fave organic brands)

11. No matter how tired or sleepy I am, I always strip my face of all grime and makeup before going to bed. Baby oil or organic sunflower oil to wipe off all traces of makeup, followed by hydrating aloe vera facial wash. (both sold by Human Nature’s Heart at Rustan’s Supermarket) ?

12. To keep the wrinkles away, I moisturize my face with organic creams.

13. I don’t smoke and I avoid smoke filled places or being around people who smoke. ?

14. I take multi vitamins that are synergistically compatible with each other.

15. I don’t go on starvation diets. If I must lose weight, I eat a half portion of my normal meal portion and skip the dessert part of the meal. ?

16. I try to sleep seven to eight hours a day.

17. Exercise is a big part of my life. I have indulged in all kinds of sports and enjoyed them all — swimming, equestrienne sport, water ski, squash, tennis, badminton, running. When not doing sports, I am exercising in the gym or studying a kind of dance — rgentine tango, flamenco and lately, Latin dances.

18. I believe in going through days of detoxification especially after a long holiday season of binging and eating rich foods. Always supervised by a holistic doctor, I detox for five or six days on a liquid diet of fruit juices and vegetable soup.

19. For mental health and honing the memory, I believe in constantly studying something. Like a new language, a new dance, learning a musical instrument, memorizing a poem or the lyrics of a song, etc.

20. I have a complete blood test once a year. Knowing your cholesterol level, tryglycerides, blood composition, liver enzymes, etc. warn you of what you can continue to enjoy eating and what you should avoid.

21. To relax the muscles after a tiring day of work, exercise or any hectic activity, I reward myself with a good body massage.

22. I don’t allow myself to get bored. A bored mind is the devil’s workshop.

23. I have a yearly pap smear test, a stool, urine test, and whatever test my doctor recommends. Knowledge of what you have or what you are predispose to having empowers you to arm yourself with the right tools. An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure.

24. When I have a crisis or hysterical about something or nothing, I calm myself by meditation and deep breathing exercises.

25. I start and end my day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of a healthy life. Thank you, Lord, for all Thy blessings. ? –Mayenne Carmona (The Philippine Star)