Healthy Living Weekly Post: The Good Life (book review part 3)

I enjoyed a couple of more chapters in Ruth McGinnis's The Good Life this week. (You can see parts 1 & 2 of my review here and here.) Chapter four was all about nutrition. The author stresses the importance of drinking water and focusing on the good stuff we should eat rather than things we should not. Her basic guidelines follow along with the USDA food pyramid. She also addresses looking at where, when, and how we eat as components of a healthy lifestyle.

Chapter 5 is all about bringing balance to our lives. While exercise and healthy eating are important, she stresses the importance of other components of our lives as well - sleep, mindfulness, sanctuary, and knowing yourself.  As those of us who often ignore it know, adequate sleep and rest is vital to a healthy lifestyle. The author encourages taking time to enjoy sanctuary or a time of quiet during each day, experiencing mindfulness in focusing on the activity at hand rather than creating a to-do list in our mind or putting on make-up while we drive, and knowing and understanding what works for us individually. I really enjoyed this chapter as it reminds me that taking care of myself is not simply about what I eat or how much I exercise.

Next week I'll complete my review of this book by focusing on the last chapters about emotional health, self-responsibility, our relationships to others, and honoring the spirit.

Here's how I did on my goals for this past week:
*Ride the exercise bike for 30 minutes at least four times.
    X rode only once
*Complete a 30 minute strength training routine at least twice.
    X completed only once
*Complete stability exercises at least once.
    X We had a full day Sunday when I had hoped to complete this routine.
*Drink at least 48 ounces of water each day.
    Yes, five out of seven days! Plus, I only had three cokes the entire week.
*Continue reading a book on healthy living. (The Good Life)
    Yes!
*Add one lifestyle activity at least four days this week.
    Yes, we attended and helped at four nights of services at our church where the Power for Life team performed & ministered. We were on our feet most of the time during these services, so I'm counting that as extra lifestyle activity for the week.

My Goals for the Coming Week
*Ride the exercise bike for 30 minutes at least four times.
*Complete a 30 minute strength training routine at least twice.
*Complete stability exercises at least once.
*Drink at least 48 ounces of water each day.
*Complete reading The Good Life.
*Add one lifestyle activity at least four days this week.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Lighten Up Blog Hop last week. I've already had a couple of you let me know that you tried my Baked Chicken & Rice with Vegetables recipe - totally makes my day to know y'all enjoyed it. We'll be doing it again on the 30th of this month, sharing our recipes for picnic foods!