03 Oct Sometimes I feel like a deviant
A healthy deviant, that is. I don’t eat like anyone else I know. Well, almost anyone else. I don’t buy the same products as my friends. I don’t have the same habits and I don’t follow the conventional health and nutrition guidelines.
There’s a reason for all this. I’m trying to live a healthy lifestyle.
According to Pilar Gerasimo, that makes me a healthy deviant. She says that only about one in a hundred people can reliably pull off a healthy lifestyle. And I’m not sure I’m even that reliable about it.
Chronic disease is more common than not. It’s also known as lifestyle disease. The choices we make in our daily lives can lead to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, obesity, autoimmune, and other diseases.
The problem is our culture encourages a lifestyle that leads to sickness. But if you are fat or sick, our culture blames the victim. You just didn’t try hard enough.
Our food and health guidelines from government agencies are a mismatch to what actually works to make us healthy. Our agricultural system gives us food tainted with poisons and chemicals. Our advertising system makes junk food attractive and pharmaceuticals seem essential.
Do I sound jaded? I am definitely concerned. And I am an outlier by bucking the system.
Healthy deviant choices vs common choices
Common sleep pattern–stay up late to “get things done”, drag yourself out of bed and survive with lots of caffeine. Healthy deviant–I allow for a good 8 hours or even more because I still struggle with insomnia. I prioritize sleep and realize my next day will be more productive if i’m rested.
Common grocery shopping–read nutrition labels but priority goes to convenience. Healthy deviant–I buy very few convenient packaged foods. I buy fresh veggies and meats and take the time to make my own meals, including broths and ferments.
Common stressful lifestyle--try to “have it all” and keep juggling, even as stress mounts. Healthy deviant–I make time occasionally to de-stress by walking in the park, deep breathing, doing yoga, spending time on the water. I try to keep my priorities straight, and my family is way up at the top.
Common exercise strategy–the most common is not to exercise at all, but many people, women especially, try to burn off calories with endless cardio. Healthy deviant–I prioritize strength training and try to get in some cardio too, but for health, not to burn calories.
Common eating strategy–count calories and go low fat. Healthy deviant–I never count calories. I look for nutrient density instead. I don’t go low fat; I eat plenty butter, sour cream, and coconut oil. I never put my salad dressing on the side; I pour on the healthy extra virgin olive oil.
Common beauty routine–slather on the lotions, creams, and makeup. Healthy deviant–I use coconut oil as my main beauty product, for brushing teeth and moisturizing. I use argan oil to de-frizz my hair. I buy chemical free beauty products for the rest of my needs. It took some trial and error to find products that work, and they can be pricier, but that’s better than ruining my health with chemicals.
Common community–your friends are virtual and you spend so much time at work that you don’t spend much time with friends in the real world. Healthy deviant–In New Orleans, people tend to value friendships. My issue is that I tend to be a healthy deviant among my friends. So I formed a meetup group of others interested in functional medicine. And I have a virtual community of health coaches that I keep in touch with on Facebook. They’re deviants too.
Common sickness strategy–grab some over the counter medicine or get a prescription from your doctor to treat your symptoms. Healthy deviant–my first line of defense is always food, sleep, and de-stress. Then I move on to essential oils, herbs, or supplements. I see a doctor who looks for the root cause of my symptoms and I take medicine as needed.
Do you want to try becoming a healthy deviant? Yes, that sounds really hard. But, if we work together, I can make it easier. I can help you find healthy choices that work for you. I won’t make you struggle; we’ll ease you into the healthy lifestyle. And the reward for your effort? Living your healthiest life. Contact me. I’m a National Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach.
Comments: Do you have deviant tendencies? Confess here.
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