Ditch the Diet!

Every where you look there is a new diet, everyone wants you to try.  On the magazines, celebrity endorsements, on the tv, on billboards, you get the idea.  Do you feel overwhelmed or frustrated? I know I do!  How do you choose which diet is right for you?  Meal plans, raw foods, juicing diets, pre-portioned meals, count calories, count points, take these pills, don't eat carbs?  After the holidays, it seems like a lot of my friends and family look for fast fixes, to get them to their "summer body", and they're always asking me for advice.

Well, here you go... Ditch The Diet!

Live healthy, eat healthy, move your body, sleep, and be peaceful & positive.  Healthy living is not a quick fix, or the next diet craze... It's a lifestyle!  Loosing weight, lowering blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, getting your "summer body" requires healthy choices.  But I know you're wondering, well Ashley, what do you do?  I don't count calories, I eat smart!  I try to fill my body with whole foods, minimizing processed foods.  I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables!  I drink a lot of water, and I mean a lot.  I exercise, almost every day.  I eat breakfast every morning, even if its just fruit & greek yogurt.  I try not to eat after 9pm (for two reasons: 1. I feel like my food never digests all the way; 2. it always leads to crazy dreams for me).  I limit my alcohol consumption to special occasions.  I don't smoke, nor do I take many medications over the counter or prescription.  I am not on a diet.  When I choose to treat myself, I do, burgers, desserts, whatever, ask my friend Tiffany, or my husband!  I love sleep, and I try very hard to make sure I get at least 7-8+ hours a night!  I meditate and try to maintain a positive attitude.  I take care of my body, not because I want to look good in a swimsuit, but because I want to be able to live and enjoy my life with my children, and maybe play with my children's children.  If this body is going to last me another 60-70 years, I must take care of it now.
So, friends for your "summer body"... Ditch the Diet! Start living!  Embrace a healthy lifestyle, you will find that the "summer body" will be a healthier body, and will last all year long... Better yet, it will last a lifetime!