You are what you... consume.

Finding quotes that inspire me and make me think is something I enjoy doing. While I was on a quote hunt a few years ago, I saw a post that said, "Your diet is not only what you eat. It is what you watch, what you listen to, what you read, the people you hang around. Be mindful of the things you put into your body emotionally, spirtitually, and physically,” and that hit me like a ton of bricks. As I read the quote, I realized it wasn't just about food, but all forms of consumption and how that impacts our health.

In literal terms, a diet is what you eat regularly, but most people think of it as restricting food and losing weight. There is a reason those diets fail to succeed long-term: they target only a small portion of your body. The focus is more on what you should remove than what you should add. Their primary focus is on your body, not the health of your being. This is one of the reasons they fail so frequently.

Honestly, "diet" can refer to anything you put into your body. In the same way that junk and fast food should be eaten sparingly, unhealthy THINGS should also be limited. There are some people who like watching TV. Many people like gaming or gambling. Those activities aren't unhealthy if you do them in moderation, but don't take them overboard.

What You Eat

My eating habits aren't perfect... I like bread, desserts, and fast food. I've got chips and cookies in my pantry. It's not something that happens all the time, though. Most of the time, we cook healthy, tasty meals at home. Basically, I want lots of colorful, nutritious food that keeps me healthy, and I want my son to know what a balanced meal looks like. Healthy eating is important, but it's not something to feel ashamed of. It's all about moderation.

What You Watch

You can't always tell when something you're watching isn't healthy for you. Often shows, movies, and commercials have overt and covert messages that make you feel bad. You can improve your visual diet by watching things with a positive message. I cut out the news several years ago because watching it made me feel anxious, scared, and outraged. Honestly, I'm not mad about it either because I feel so much better. It's important to pay attention to how you feel and limit exposure to things that make you feel bad.

What You Listen To

It's sometimes difficult to tell if the noise in your environment is impacting your wellbeing. If the TV is on and my son is playing and the cat is meowing, I can easily get overwhelmed. Just turning the TV off sometimes calms me down. It's true, even the music you listen to affects your emotions. You can't turn off your ears, but you can notice when you're overwhelmed and eliminate some of the things that are making you feel out of sorts.

What You Read

It can be really toxic for your mental health if you read a lot of negativity. No matter what you read, whether it's a book, magazine, blog, Facebook post, Instagram caption, etc., it's your responsibility to make sure the message you're reading is positive for your health. It's just like watching what you eat or drink. Take a break from social media and unfollow accounts that make you feel bad. Don't waste your time reading things that don't make you happy or positive. Remember, everything in moderation.

Who You’re Around

Whenever you spend time with someone, you also take in their opinions, thoughts, and vibe. If the people you're around are negative, gossipy, or unmotivated, you're soaking up that vibe. It's not that you will take on those characteristics, but it is far better to surround yourself with people who make you feel good. You don't have to cut out everyone with those attributes, but it's a smart idea to limit them.

You're diet is not just what you eat, but everything you consume. Make sure the majority of what you're taking in is helpful to you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's pretty amazing how much difference it makes to be picky about what you consume. You'll feel better if it's better for you! Don't get me wrong, I like to watch reality TV and eat pizza sometimes. Everything in moderation, right?

What area of your diet do you struggle with the most?

• 🍽 What I eat
• 📺 What I watch
• 🔊 What I listen to
• 📰 What I read

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