Are there hard and fast rules to feeling and looking good?

This is actually a complex question. And yet, it may also be simple. It all depends on how you feel today, and what your lifestyle has been over the last few years.

Simply wanting to feel better, just by thinking it, has an impact on you at subconscious and conscious levels. Here are some basic suggestions which you may opt to apply, based on real-life experiences.

David, a 54-year-old top executive for a multinational company did nothing else but travel worldwide. Already a million-miler member of an airline, he spent just as much time in the air as on the ground.

He had sleep problems. Crossing time zones took its toll on his health. And he didn’t realize the impact of sleeplessness until he couldn’t get out of bed one morning.

His body could hardly move, and his legs seemed weighed down. Advised by the doctor to cancel all his appointments, he was ordered to do the following:

1) Rest for three days.

2) Eat three balanced meals a day plus two light snacks in between.

3) Get IV dextrose treatment, plus IV vitamin C, B complex and minerals (potassium and magnesium).

4) Do breathing exercises in a fresh-air environment (not air conditioned).

5) Do light exercise daily.

6) No traveling for two weeks.

7) Drink melatonin supplements, 3-5 mg before bed time

8) Drink 10-15 glasses of water daily.

Balance and order were restored to his frenzied life. David has since made adjustments, such as less traveling and following a regular routine, which his life revolves around today.

Upset stomach

Each time Gina ate a full meal, her stomach would act up. It was uncomfortable, to say the least.

And that is why she feared accepting dinner invitations, because the end result would be the same—a queasy, upset stomach, rumbling noises from her tummy, nausea to the point of wanting to vomit.

A visit to a gastroenterologist revealed there was nothing visibly wrong with her. Her doctor asked her to examine her eating habits. Not wanting to be condemned to a lifetime of popping antacids, Gina decided to take charge of her health.

A naturopathist friend gave her a helping hand.

This was the get-your-groove-back plan:

1) Detoxify. Upon closer look, it appeared that 50 percent of her meals were processed food. This was addressed by adding more fresh vegetables and fruits. Raw food juicing was also included, followed by one capsule of probiotics thrice daily.

2) No processed food for one month. This meant nothing canned, bottled, packaged. All food had to be bought fresh—
fish, meat, vegetables.

3) No sugar candies or desserts for one month. The only sugar allowed was coconut sugar or stevia.

4) Exercise—daily brisk walking, plus a visit to the gym thrice weekly.

5) Limit carbohydrates— cutting back on general carbs like wheat, rye, flour, baked goods, pastries, etc.

6) Food intolerance test—a simple blood test to determine sensitivities to certain food and substances. Based on the results, five to six months of fasting from these food is required. After the fasting period, the same substances can be reintroduced into the diet in small doses.

Depressed

In her 20s, Ana boasted an 18-inch waistline. At age 50, it expanded to 40 inches. She has been depressed about this, so much so that she lost interest in herself and in life in general.

As a hands-on mom and full-time wife, she spent most of her youth at home, caring for the family.

One day, she consulted a relative who took her to a therapist. After several sessions, she was awakened to the reality of her lack of self-love.

Her action plan was to learn to love herself more. And it was a good one. Her weight gain began because of her eating habits and her compulsive behavior. This was triggered by the discovery of her husband’s fleeting extramarital affair.

Confronting her husband was emotionally unbearable. The result: emotional eating behavior. Her comfort food were ice cream and potato chips whenever she felt insecure and unloved.

The extra fat she put on—all 50 pounds—was a physical and external manifestation of her internal turmoil. Husband and wife went for marriage counseling. They both came to an agreement and recommitted to each other. With enough peace of mind, Ana had to learn how to trust again—not just her husband, but herself.

Working on herself was challenging, but she accomplished it.

The plan:

1) Learn to be less fearful and more trusting.

2) A diet plan that was zero percent junk food, 100-percent organic or fresh. Stop food cravings by eating an apple or any low-sugar fruit.

3) Exercise by jogging daily.

4) Enroll in a self-empowerment workshop. Read inspirational books on leadership.

5) Take up a new hobby. She decided to revive her dream to be a pianist. Thus, piano lessons were arranged.

After six months, Ana was 130 lbs—a svelte, attractive and empowered woman.

This week’s affirmation: “I can do anything.”

Love and light!