EveryBody Is Unique

Consider the fact that no one fingerprint is alike. It’s amazing to think that no one in the entire world will ever share your same fingerprint. Your fingerprint is your identification, your unique marking, your signature. Just as your fingerprint is one of a kind, so is the rest of you. No one thinks exactly like you, no one talks exactly like you, and no one is you! Even if you have an identical twin, you are still an individual with an inimitable soul, body, and mind. This one and only you holds the answers to your perfect health.

When it comes to your health and eating, it’s easy to forget that you are a unique being. In your quest for the perfect, flawless body, you assume that the latest fad diet advertised on the newsstand must be the way to a better-looking you. Twisted notions come to mind such as, “If it worked for my friend Jane, then it will work for me!” and “If my coworker can lose ten pounds fast by eating nothing but cottage cheese, so can I!” But when the peanut butter and celery diet fails, you are left wondering what went wrong. So you jump on the next diet roller coaster that barrels into the public eye. Stop! Don’t blame yourself. There is an answer.

The truth is that there is no one right diet that will work for everyone. Despite all the dietary information available today—Vegan Is Victorious, Macrobiotic Is Marvelous, Low Carb Conquers, Raw Food Rules—you remain utterly confused. You are left with only one tool. That tool is your body’s own wisdom. Yes, the answer to what and how to eat lies within you, not on the cover of your favorite magazine.

It’s fascinating to think of everything you learn in your life. You learn to wake up on time and arrive at school before the bell rings. You learn either to get good grades or fail. You learn to operate bikes, automobiles, computers, and more. But when it comes to your own health, you may never take the time to learn how to operate your own system. It’s your body’s wisdom that will tell you when you are hungry, what you should eat, and for how long you should sleep. You just need to learn to listen to what your body is saying to you.

You may be wondering, “Why can’t I hear any of this then?” Well, your body speaks to you every day. It whispers to you quietly, though, and if you’re not listening, you may miss it. Somewhere deep inside, as you are craving that hot fudge sundae, your body is talking to you. Perhaps it’s really saying that you are scared, lonely, tired, depressed, happy, angry, or sad and that what it really needs is some physical touch or a listening ear. But the hot fudge sundae is easy; it will work to cover up your feelings . . . until the next craving.

So how can you begin to listen to your body’s inner wisdom to achieve your perfect health? Do you want to reach your ideal weight, feel comfortable in your own skin, or increase your energy? There are four steps to getting in touch with the inner wisdom of your body that will send you on the path to a healthier you.

1. Slow Down

Consider that the world is not as fast paced as you think it is. By changing your belief about the world, your view of it will change. Begin to picture your world as slower and calmer. When you begin to experience stillness throughout your day, your body will thank you. Take a few moments to meditate during your daily routine. Most people avoid stopping to reflect because they are fearful of what they might discover within themselves. When you step out of your daily routine and take even just a moment for peace, you quiet the endless chatter in your head and allow your body’s wisdom to speak up. Pick two times during the day to stop what you are doing, breathe, reflect, and give thanks for your incredible body that breathes, sleeps, and operates each day.

2. Chew Your Food

If such a simple step sounds insignificant, think again! If you come to the table in a rush, your body will remain in the stressful state of the fight or flight response. Imagine your body as it tries to digest food, thinking that it is going to fight a war. It’s impossible! Your body will choose to store the food for later. (Huh! . . . So that’s how all of those extra pounds got packed on!) Chewing your food allows your digestive juices to do their job by helping you properly assimilate food and absorb nutrients. And also, chewing your food and experiencing the taste, texture, and smell of each bite will lead to a more enjoyable experience. You can be eating the best food money can buy, but if you are disconnected from the process of experiencing your food, you will never be truly satisfied. When you relate with your food in this way, you will be less likely to go looking for something else in the pantry an hour later.

3. Eat and Listen

Now this is not your everyday food journal. Keep a log of what you eat every day and how you feel two hours after eating it. Are you still hungry? Are you too full? Are you satisfied? Is your stomach settled? What are you craving? By listing not only what you are eating but also how it makes you feel, you will begin making a connection to what you eat and how it affects your digestion, your energy level, and your mood. You are learning to turn on your inner radar so that you can listen to what your body is telling you. Most importantly, you will create the mind-body connection that is often missing in today’s dining experience.

4. Honor Your Body

Start by making your health and your body a priority. Try a new exercise routine, go for a brisk walk, or participate in a yoga class. When you take time for your health and well-being, you send positive messages to your body such as, “I honor you and my health. I am in touch with you so that you can be in touch with me.” Begin to talk to your body as the home of your soul. Eliminate the negative messages that you subconsciously send to your physical body. Try this exercise: begin by standing in front of the mirror naked. Stand there for five minutes and notice what you love about your body. Then state it out loud. Repeat this several times a week until you feel connected to both your physical and emotional self. When you concentrate on the beauty that you have, you will by law attract more beauty.

When you slow down, chew your food, eat and listen, and honor your body, you will reconnect with that inner voice that tells you each day all you need to know about what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. There is no one, single miracle diet that will tell you what your own body needs to be happy, fulfilled, and healthy. You are your own guide for healthy eating and living.

** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health”, visit http://selfgrowth.com/healthbook3.html