Healthy Vs. Unhealthy Lifestyles

Before adjusting to a healthier lifestyle, it never once crossed my mind that being healthy was a common obsession. I always see fit people on social media platforms promoting healthy lifestyles and convincing people how easy it is to achieve. I thought about giving it a go and decided to become fit and aim to look like those girls. I said bye to Nutella and welcomed carrots into my new lifestyle. I’ll let you in on a little secret though – Food labels are written in a foreign language.

I’d say the media plays a large part in what influences people to change their body shapes, especially with features on the ‘ideal’ body shape but then claim we should love the body we’re born in. It’s even worse when you’re browsing the Internet and suddenly an advertisement pops up saying ‘Lose 10 kilos in 10 weeks’. It’s like a realisation just slapped you in the face, metaphorically of course.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics claims in 2011-12, 63.4% of people aged over 18 years old were obese.

So, the world clearly recognises the rise in obesity, but why is it cheaper to buy a Big Mac at 493 calories, than buying 200g of chicken breast at 209 calories?

Are you confused? Because, I am too …

I have never followed a shopping list. I would carelessly throw anything and everything into the trolley. Suddenly I would have plastic bags full of high carb foods and then wonder why I was putting on weight? If you’re in the same basket of berries, then I suggest buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

After my decision to change my lifestyle, I was shocked at the increase of expenses. Why is it more expensive to be healthy? What a contradiction.

I’ll be honest again, I am a calorie counter, but downloading Easy Diet Diary from the App Store has helped my journey significantly. The App Store is an easy way to obtain fitness programs and advice. But remember, you can’t claim a better body until you actually use the apps, ha-ha.

Another idea to consider is following people you admire. I follow Nikki Blackketter and Pamela the founder of Skinny Bunny on Instagram. These influential women showed me a healthier lifestyle is a better option, but sadly not the cheapest.