Healthy Practices support the Sexy

In my years of inquiry and involvement in the field of Holistic Health, one thing has become very clear to me: it is that much harder to be in touch and deeply connected with your sensuality, intimacy and sexuality if you live fully deprived of healthy practices. Feeling strong, healthy and clean in your body will help you feel strong and powerful in your mind and in relationship to yourself and others.

Just 2 years ago, I was the unhealthiest I had ever been. I was plagued with work-related stress, to the point where my health started getting impacted: I'd melt into crying fits every Sunday night, develop skin rashes by Monday morning, experience nightmares every night. My cortisol (stress hormone) levels were through the roof. I had constant digestive issues. I was never satiated, and no amount of cleansing or detoxifying helped with my weight gain. My boyfriend at the time was a gorgeous man, the kind that gets insistent looks from both men and women by just walking down the street. I am sure that you know what is coming next: in spite of his good looks and the love that we shared, my desire for him was in the dumps. Because, my desire for myself was non-existent. I did not feel attractive and felt like a bloated mess most of the time. The 25 extra pounds I'd packed on were cumbersome, and soon became a wall between both my mind and body, and my man and I.

I am certain that you can relate: think back to the times when you were not the healthiest, fittest, most stress-free version of yourself. Were these not the times that you were not the juiciest, most turned-on, most sexually active you could be? You might even be living this as we speak.


As a Certified Health Coach, I want to share a few secrets with you so that your health and energy levels do not become or remain obstacles to your vibrant, lit-up you.

From me to you, here are 8 easy, breezy health tips to help you get to a clean body with energy galore:

Catch some zzzz's: Sleep to your heart's content; enforce a bedtime, ensure at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

H2O: Drink water, and just water. No juice, no soda, there is not enough time in a day to discuss the harmful effects of drinking pop (but here is an Infographic that does a great job at it). How much water? Between 8 and 15 cups a day lies the right amount for your individual needs. If water bores you and you need more zing, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

A good start to the day: Eat breakfast every morning, no exception. It will kick-off your metabolism and condition your energy and appetite levels for the rest of the day.

Pace your food intake: "Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a Prince, dinner like a Pauper"

Switch colors: Replace something white on your plate with something green: humor me for a few days. What would happen if your rice/pasta/bread magically transformed into a heap of asparagus/avocado/lettuce?

Listen to your gut: Stay away from foods that bloat you, give you gas, create digestive mayhem of any sort. "I'm bloated and gassy, let's get it on", said no one ever.

Get out: Walk outside 30 minutes a day; make it your "how was your day" time with your partner, your kid, or volunteer to walk the dog.

Be with your food: Be present in every moment, particularly with your food. To quote Vietnamese monk and Mindfulness master Thich Nhat Hanh's book Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life: "And just as mindfully breathing air sustains our physical and spiritual life, so, too, does eating food. Not only does food provide the nutrients and energy we need to support our physical bodies; mindful eating can also help us touch the interdependent nature of all things-and can help us end our difficulty with weight." Chewing is a critical aspect of savoring. Be present with what you have in your mouth at the moment. Move it around. Feel all of its parts. Extract the juices. Chew the ingredients until they are solid no more. Both your taste buds and your digestive tract will thank you for this.



Modules

Challenge Progress

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Checklist

1) Complete the questionnaire

  • Take time to reflect on your answers: Which ones surprised you? Which ones do you want to transform?

2) Feng Shui your intimate space

  • De-clutter
  • Buy new bedding in warm or neutral colors if necessary
  • Research/source decor and art that speak to you 
  • Make the first night in your "new" space and bed a ritual: take a hot shower, moisturize, light up a candle and revel

3) Pick 2 of the 8 proposed health practices (in doubt, pick the first 2)

  • Implement every day until we meet again

4) Try 1 or more of the Meal Planning options

5) Attempt 1 Breakfast recipe

6) Journal how you want to feel with your body, sensuality and sexuality

Featured Media

MOVIE: Lost it? Get your Groove back - How Stella Got her Groove Back

Angela Bassett takes a vacation to Jamaica with her best friend Whoopi Goldberg where she meets a young stud in Taye Diggs...and he helps her get her groove back.

MUSIC: Today is the first day of the rest of your life - It's a New Day Pt. 1 and 2 - James Brown