I absolutely loved writing this article....this is how I choose to live my life and I hope others choose to live/enhance their lifestyle with these tips. As an oakley women brand ambassador, I strive to perform beautifully in all areas of my life.
This article may be geared toward women since it was used for my monthly column at Iron Girl but I welcome both genders (and all age groups) to read my 5 commandments in order to keep the body and mind in optimal health.
Do you know someone that may need some motivation and inspiration in their life? Feel free to pass this along to others in order to spread along some practical suggestions to make for a more quality, active and healthful lifestyle.
5 Iron Girl CommandmentsBy Marni Sumbal MS, RD, LD/N
Iron Girl's mission is to empower women toward a healthy lifestyle. Health is something you feel. Health can be described as living life to the fullest. Every woman has her own definition of what it means to be healthy and thanks to the Iron Girl event experience, you have an amazing competitive platform to reach your athletic goals. But in order to cross the finish line, you must get to the starting line.
Here are your 5 commandments in order to keep your body and mind in optimal health.
1. Thou shalt thank her body on a daily basis - your body is the only place you have to live for the rest of your life. Create a loving and kind relationship with your body and don’t let a day go by without giving thanks to your body. You have an obligation to your body to nourish it, love it and use it. Discover the beauty in your body and why you are so lucky to be you.
2. Thou shalt emphasize wholesome food – appreciate food in its natural form. De-emphasize “products” that are nothing more than chemical concoctions, created by science, that are claimed to be more healthful than real food. Vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, fiber and antioxidants can be found on the labeling of processed food items as well as in a garden. Create a plant-strong, balanced diet and prioritize foods with little to no ingredients.
3. Thou shalt eat mindfully – silence the food police, the guilty feelings, the “off-limit” food list, the negative body language, the excuses and the diet-only mindset and honor your hunger and the need to eat for fuel and for health. Develop an eating plan that allows you to feel satisfied, not starved or stuffed. Eat to be strong, not skinny. Through intuitive eating, you will learn to eat for nutritional value rather than for calories.
4. Thou shalt set short and long term goals – every Iron Girl needs direction and a purpose. Through the process of goal setting, you have the ability to create a list of what you want to achieve in life. With goals in mind, you will have a reason to wake up every morning to see what the day will bring and what you are capable of accomplishing. Never be afraid to set goals that require you to step outside of your comfort zone.
5. Thou shalt always have a positive attitude – no one said that life would be easy, but every obstacle you overcome, will be worth it. A positive attitude will bring optimism into your life and can be used as a healthy and effective method of coping with emotional and physical stress. A positive attitude is contagious and brings productivity and happiness into your life, as well as into the lives of others. As you train your body to reach an Iron Girl finish line, don’t forget to train the mind. For a positive attitude will help you believe in yourself, attain success and be an inspiration to others.
Marni Sumbal, MS, RD, LD/N
Marni works as a PRN Clinical Dietitian at Baptist Medical Center Beaches, is the owner of Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition, LLC and provides one-on-one consulting at Spa Me in Jacksonville, FL. Marni is a Registered Dietitian, holding a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, is a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) and holds a certification by the American Dietetic Association in Adult Weight Management. As an elite endurance athlete, she is also a Level-1 USAT Coach and a 5x Ironman finisher. Marn is a 110% play harder and Oakley Women ambassador. Marni enjoys public speaking and writing, and she has several published articles in Fitness Magazine, Bicycling Magazine, The Florida Times-Union Shorelines, Lava Magazine, Hammer Endurance News, CosmoGirl magazine and Triathlete Magazine, and contributes monthly to IronGirl.com, USAT multisport zone and Lava online.
Email trimarnicoaching@gmail.com
Website: trimarnicoach.com