We have to really make our health a priority

Health & fitness is something I really aspire to, but sometimes I really want that cheeseburger... or a nap. A group of friends I have begun to get involved with encouraged me to get a membership at the local YMCA. They all love the classes and the childcare that comes as a membership benefit. Almost reluctantly, I joined. I only took advantage of the cardio rooms for a couple of weeks until some of those moms urged me to join them in the classes. Talk about being outside of my comfort zone! Despite how nice and wonderful the instructor was, and how much I tried not to compare myself to the ladies in the class, I felt like a fish on land. Keeping up was brutal and I struggled to breathe. Despite my desire to walk out and never go back, I have actually made it a couple of other times. (YEAH me!!) I have even started to attend an Aqua Bootcamp once a week. It kicks my booty, but I really like the class.

My husband and I are both making serious strides to improve our health. We have been making (slow) progress for about a year now, but we know we have to really make our health a priority. We have tried to eat much healthier (and cleaner) foods, and have eliminated a lot of gluten from our diets. We have also made huge efforts to rid our home of many dangerous chemicals and toxins. While we are loving the results, we aren't just doing this for the sake of doing it. Nutrition (and over all health) plays a large role in reproduction and we are trying to give ourselves the best chances possible of conceiving. We know, we have been told we can't do it 'naturally' but, I'm not one to give up.

Here are some of the ways we are helping ourselves that you might want to also implement.

1. BOUNTIFUL BASKETS
I LOVE this co-op! You can order up to three of the conventional baskets at a time, and there are always fantastic add-ons, like sourdough bread, cases of blueberries, kits for making pie, etc. There is the option for purchasing a 100% organic basket, and instead of the $15 charge for the base basket, you pay I think an extra $10. All the products are significantly cheaper than purchasing the same product at the grocery store. Right now they are working to Bring Bountiful Local. Optimizing their routes and using local produce vendors, so they have temporarily halted the program while they improve it. I can't wait to get my next basket.

2. MY LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
After I get my Bountiful Baskets on Saturday, I love to go to the local farmer's market for anything else I might need. Not only do I get a chance to fill my fridge with yummy, locally grown food, but I get to support local farmers and artisans. Even if I don't end up purchasing much, a trip to the market is always a fun experience. There are local crafters and artisans and the live music is usually pretty good.
I did try growing a container garden a few years ago, but after nursing 175 plants from seeds, I ended up harvesting a couple handfuls of veg and decided it wasn't worth my time. Some day I will live where I can have a nice, big garden.

3. MY FITBIT
It seems silly, but that little tracker really keeps me on my toes (literally.) I am usually in a competition with at least my mom and sister, and it keeps me accountable for my activity level. A couple of times I have been challenged by some dedicated runners who are in training, and I am proud to simply be in the top 3 or 4 of that group - winning isn't even an option. I usually average 13k steps a day when not in a challenge, but I set my goal at 9k. I know this is reverse psychology, but it works. I get a little encouragement and reward from my tracker as it buzzes on my arm, saying, "You can do it, you are almost there!" I am just a *little* competitive and I have gone on more walks / runs simply to get steps than I ever did before using the tracker.
Also, I had used a separate program for tracking my calories, weight, etc. but have recently switched to only using my FitBit app. I have a 16GB phone, and I never have enough storage on it - too many pictures of the kiddo - so it was nice to streamline my health apps.

4. WATER
Another feature I love about my FitBit tracker is that I can track my water intake. I try to get about 70oz. per day. Sometimes I do it, some days I don't. I should probably get more than that, according to the link above. (And I'm a nursing mama.) When I am drinking all the water I need, I don't have the cravings I would have without the water. My muscles feel better and I actually have more energy.

5.OUTSIDE
Despite the HOT HOT HOT summer we have had, my son and I have spent a lot of time outside. We are usually at the park, a friend's pool, or the local public pool. My son is a water baby and begs to go swimming. Not only is this good for my muscles and skin (I love that I am tan for the first time in years!) But we are getting our vitamin D in the most natural way possible. My mom's Dr. told her that getting outside for only 20 minutes per day without sun block (which we don't use as a rule) is fantastic for your health.

6. SUPPLEMENTS
We are currently taking a magnesium supplement morning and night, as well as our Young Living supplements. We have found that we love the supplements listed below. We sometimes switch them out for other options, and admittedly, sometimes we forget to take them, but when we are diligent to take our supplements on the schedule we have created for ourselves, we feel much better. Several of these are specifically for the gut. In all my research, I have found that the gut is incredibly important factor in our over all health.
Life 5 Probiotic
Essentialzyme
Essentialzymes-4
Digest + Cleanse
Balance Complete
NingXia Red & NingXia Nitro

What have you found helps you in your health goals? Feel free to share below!