Reading so many blogs about frugal, simple, healthy living has inspired me to organize my life and start doing things that are good for my body, mind, and soul. I grew up hating my mom’s ultra healthy habits. The only refined sugar in the house was in a 8 oz tub. We used molasses and honey sparingly and practically everything was homemade. Boxes with food inside were not to be found. Homegrown sprouts, veggies and berries were our mainstay, along with whole grains, eggs from our chickens, and water from our own dug well. (I hate raising chickens too by the way.) We were always outside breathing fresh air, and running around for exercise. Life was a bit slower in the country and people were less stressed. Now, as a wife, a mom, and a suburbanite, my life is totally different.

I married almost 3 years ago and I got pregnant right away. My husband was raised with entirely different eating and exercising habits. Then pregnant, I didn’t feel like excercising or eating healthy at all. After welcoming my son and a difficult recovery, nursing for 10 months, and getting pregnant again with my daughter, I still wasn’t watching my diet or exercising. My stress level was pretty high because I was finishing my masters degree while juggling a new marriage and a new family. Fast forward to today, 18 months after my daughter was born, I am finally getting my energy back. I am also realizing that my body is getting older and I can’t do what I once was able to do. I feel perpetually tired, even after I wake up in the morning after 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I feel depleted during the day and my mental focus feels foggy and fuzzy. I feel like I am ready for a change and it is up to me to start taking care of the body God has given me. So where do I go when I am starting from zero?

Goal #1 – Increased energy

I am actually below my pre-pregnancy weight (before my first child). My metabolism is such that I can eat nothing and exercise a ton and not lose an ounce. I can eat everything in sight and sit on my butt and gain nothing. Frustrating or a huge blessing depending on how you look at it. So, my first goal isn’t weight related, it is to increase my energy level.

So how do I begin to organize my health? I am stepping off by tweaking a few unhealthy habits…relaxed habits I call them. Would you do any of these small changes to feel more energetic in your life?

Food

I am no dietitian, so I am making these tweaks based upon what I have read and how my body feels. Before embarking upon a new diet check with your physician to make sure your new plan is right for you.

Cut the Sugar: I feel the sugar rush and then the crash. I am no dietitian, but I know the insulin rush and crash isn’t good for my body or maintaining the energy level I need for an on-the-go lifestyle. I plan to:

• Cut the soda and drink fruit juice and sparkling water instead
• Just say “no” to all artificial sweeteners in any form (the “natural” yellow packet one too)
• Use raw, organic sugar or honey in my baking
• Not take it to the extreme, life is sort, and life can be sweet

Cut back the Caffeine:I was definitely using caffeine as an energy-boosting crutch, but it didn’t help me maintain a higher energy level. I plan to:

• Switch from coffee to green-tea. Although green-tea does contain some caffeine, it also contains healthy anti-oxidants.

Exercise

Let me also say that I am not a personal trainer either, and that you should consult with your physician before starting any new exercising program to make sure your new plan is right for you. Since I haven’t worked out since before my wedding, I intend to focus on the baby steps. I plan to:

• Be more active - I can definitely build up a sweat vacuuming stairs or carrying laundry, diapers, and babies up two flights of stairs (oh, and over baby gates.) 
• Get out with the kids - Moms and dads know that this simple seeming task has a lot of weight-lifting components (carrying both toddlers who can’t/refuse to walk across the hot parking lot) and aerobic parts (chasing down toddlers who try to escape from the cart/swings/picnic blanket.)
• Focus on impact activities -some impact on the joints can help maintain healthy joints and bones. Playing tag, and jumping are going to be my first choice exercises.

Relax

I have the bad habit of working up until the time I head to bed. Then my mind is running and I end not sleeping and feeling stressed. To combat this, I plan to:

• Drink a cup of herbal tea before brushing my teeth.
• Reading a book for a bit in bed.
• Turning off the light at a decided time.

Are you feeling a bit low on energy.Are any of these small tweaks ones that you could do in your life? It takes a lot of courage to admit that your health isn’t what you’d like it to be. Some of these small changes are things you probably can do without even telling anyone. So, I encourage you to organize your health and join me as I begin to organize my health. Stay tuned here for future articles about organizing your health and about how simple, frugal, green living can positively impact your mind, body and spirit.

I am eager to hear from you and how you are making small (or larger) changes to positively impact your life. Leave a comment here and share your ideas and experience with other readers! Happy Organizing!