by Evelyn G. Damian
We all want to enjoy a happy, healthy life! We may know what we need to do but it’s just too hard to begin. Having healthy, holiday habits don’t just happen. You have to start somewhere, practice everyday and persist!
Bel Bontilao is a pastor, a pastor’s wife and a mother to two boys, ZK and Zach. She shares how she developed some simple habits that resulted in a healthier lifestyle for her and her family.
Food
While food is essential to the body, it can also be harmful if we are not mindful of what we eat. After Bel had her gallbladder removed, she had to re-think what to eat. She says, “Natuto akong mag-isip ng alternative sa mamantikang pagkain. Ang street food, kain lang tayo ng kain, hindi natin namamalayan, nakaka-affect na pala sa health natin, besides hindi rin magandang mag-recycle ng oil. Kung gusto mo ng sunny side up egg, pahiran lang ng oil ang pan tapos mahinang apoy, perfect na ang sunny side up! Na-open din ang mind ko sa ibang option like baking, steaming and grilling. Ang fruits kung mahal, we eat more vegetables na lang. I take advantage of what is in season at kung ano’ng nutritious.
Water
When I had Urinary Tract Infection. I was adviced to drink 12 glasses of water everyday. Inaral ko kung paano pagkakasyahin ‘yun so 2 glasses before and after meals tapos 3 times a day ako kumakain, total of 12 glasses na. Maganda din na kada ihi, ay iinom ng tubig. ‘Yun ang nagpagaling sa UTI ko at nakatulong rin ito sa skin ko, kahit hindi ako mag-lotion, moist pa rin at walang amoy ang katawan.
Sleep
I was a night person pero pwedeng i-train ang sarili to sleep early tapos before, ang normal sleep ko ay 4 hours lang kasi I’d wake up early para mag-makeup. So instead of putting make up, itutulog ko na lang. You really have to choose what to give up so you can sleep longer, baka sa iba ay watching TV, playing games or chatting with friends.
Exercise
Be intentional in finding a way to exercise. Hindi naman kinakailangang nasa gym ka. Noon, we used the stairs kaya baba-akyat ‘yun. Patakbo akong umaakyat, iniisip kong ‘yun ang exercise ko. Pwede ring jumping rope, hula hoop, etc. Ang importante ay gumalaw-galaw. The goal is to be fit and healthy.
How to Start a Healthy Habit
Start little. Dapat may plan. Stick to one goal at a time. Ano ang pinaka-doable sa iyo, for example, mas doable ang pag-increase ng water intake kaysa mag-change ng food, so ‘yun lang muna para hindi complicated. Next naman ‘yung pag -increase ng pagkain ng gulay, instead na mas madami ang karne. Develop the habit before proceeding to the next step.
Couple’s/Family Getaway
It’s important na meron kaming “getaway” to relax and keep us mentally fit. Ito ‘yung pinaglalaanan namin ng budget. Ang una ay para sa aming wedding anniversary. After namin mag-celebrate today, meron na kaming next year’s itinerary and we start saving for that. Kung may airfare ‘yan, we wait for “promos”. Next is summer vacation for the family. This is for our children kaya ang masusunod ay kung ano’ng gusto nilang activities and food.
Kapag gusto mong paglaanan, pagkakasyahin mo kung ano’ng meron. Kung ito lang ang na-save namin for the whole year, ina-adjust namin kung saan kami pupunta, pero natutuloy talaga iyan. We look forward to that every year!
