“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.
”
Everyone wants to be happy.
However, happiness requires a few ingredients — namely:
Good Relationships
Financial security
Spontaneity
Energy
There’s probably more. But let’s focus on the last one: energy.
When you have energy (from good lifestyle choices) you tend to be more playful, spontaneous, loving, benevolent and decisive. In other words: when you have energy, you are more you.
Energy unlocks authenticity.
Energy requires fuel in the tank. Energy also requires emptying the fuel tank so that better, more bioavailable fuel can take its place.
I would argue that optimal fuel is protein from ethical sources. And like your father used to do to empty the bright red gallon tank when you were a kid, fasting is the hosepipe method of getting rid of dirty fuel to make way for more optimal fuel.
I’ve often wondered why I value health. Besides being a fatty in school and working my ass off to lose over 30kg, it comes down to self-love. Making the decision to eat well — whatever that is to you: vegan, keto, low-carb, etc — is making a decision towards self-love.
Facing challenging health issues the past few months has led me to take my diet and lifestyle slightly more seriously than the usual “oh, maybe if I keep quiet, my body won’t realise the amount of sushi I’m shoving into it” approach that hasn’t worked well.
We often make less than ideal decisions when our fuel tank is empty or running on dirty fuel like sugar and vegetable oil. It’s not your fault. Your body is perpetually confused. It craves real food and the tug of war between whats best and what you crave is what makes you mean.
Keep this in mind the next time you’re making a decision between a grass-fed steak and a burger with fries and a shake.
Think about all that sustainable energy you will have to be more you — authentic, real and happy.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Umhlanga, Durban.
Josh.