N.E.S.S Model for Healthy Living

Hello everyone!

This weekend, I attended Black Alumni Weekend for my alma mater - the University of Virginia. While there, I took a seminar by a graduate of UVA, Dr. Deborah Stroman who is a professor at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. She presented the 4 components of the N.E.S.S model for healthy living which are:
1. Nutrition
2. Exercise
3. Sleep
4. Spirituality

Now, I've heard of all of these things in terms of living a healthy lifestyle, but I wanted to share a few things with you all that I think are encouraging. I know we all know about eating healthy, but I think that this weekend - it really hit home for me. She discussed the dangers of processed foods, sugar, etc and I realized that I could have probably been at my goal weight by now if I cut back on my sugar intake! If we really make a conscious effort to THINK about what we eat and really evaluate if we're fueling our bodies or trashing it - it can really impact how we see food. When we eat junk, we look like junk!

Another key component that stood out to me was spirituality. I know that on MFP, we all have different religious beliefs. However, for those of us who are Christians - the Bible reminds us that our bodies are our temples. When I think about an actual temple, where services are held - I remember that temples are clean, they are decorated and they are kept in excellent condition. When I asked myself if I treat my body that way - I had to honestly evaluate if I was treasuring it the way I should. She shared an interesting point in general - regardless of religious beliefs and simply said that spiritually, we have to be positive, encouraging and mentally focused on living a healthy lifestyle.

Just wanted to share a brief summary of a few of the awesome things I learned this weekend... Remember, we are in control of our goals and how we accomplish them. It's mind over matter! You a stronger and powerful than you may think. Fuel your bodies for LIFE and exercise to live longer.

Stay encouraged pals!

Replies

SexyLovinmeCook

Thanks for sharing and sounds like it was an amazing experience. This is a reminder why and what we do this for! I will definitely start looking into my sugar more on logging....I am sure it possibly could be slowing my process up to.... Thank you!

Addicted2_fitness

AMAZING post! Thanks so much for sharing with us!

eazieske

Thank you for sharing yes this is so true about how we are treating our bodies.. i will be looking at the amount of sugar i eat and cut back... thank you again

DCpaleochick

thanks for sharing...I have to watch my sugar intake as well....along with sodium. If I eat as clean as possible I find I can do this with no problem! So the thing is eating clean.

suthernbelle

This is very insightful! Thanks for sharing!

1RareJewel

Thanks for posting

tgmoore34

Great post. Thanks for sharing. I know I need to reduce my sugar because I am a bonafided sugarholic:) I am motivated to reduce.

BridgetForFitness

Amazing post. I haven't been much attention to my sugar intake lately but I will start. Thanks hun.

Question for anyone who would like to share their thoughts: Do you think we should also pay attention to how much sugar is in our fresh fruit?. I LOVE fruit and eat it on a daily basis and know that there is a lot of sugar in it. I have had the attitude of as long as its sugar from my fruit, I'm not gonna worry about it being high.

FabulouslyFitTam

Amazing post. I haven't been much attention to my sugar intake lately but I will start. Thanks hun.

Question for anyone who would like to share their thoughts: Do you think we should also pay attention to how much sugar is in our fresh fruit?. I LOVE fruit and eat it on a daily basis and know that there is a lot of sugar in it. I have had the attitude of as long as its sugar from my fruit, I'm not gonna worry about it being high.

I actually heard that we should monitor fruit intake. I usually stick with 2-3 servings/day. Fruit is also high in carbs too. But, as always - fruit is always better than a candy bar! lol

BridgetForFitness

Amazing post. I haven't been much attention to my sugar intake lately but I will start. Thanks hun.

Question for anyone who would like to share their thoughts: Do you think we should also pay attention to how much sugar is in our fresh fruit?. I LOVE fruit and eat it on a daily basis and know that there is a lot of sugar in it. I have had the attitude of as long as its sugar from my fruit, I'm not gonna worry about it being high.

I actually heard that we should monitor fruit intake. I usually stick with 2-3 servings/day. Fruit is also high in carbs too. But, as always - fruit is always better than a candy bar! lol

Lol. Thanks. I heard that before too. I crave it a lot.

KAY1BELLE

I bet that was a great seminar! I am currently restricting fruit kinda like phase one of atkins. I have reduced my sugar intake since Nov of last year this includes white bread products & juice products. I have seen the greatest reduction in my body fat.

FabulouslyFitTam

I bet that was a great seminar! I am currently restricting fruit kinda like phase one of atkins. I have reduced my sugar intake since Nov of last year this includes white bread products & juice products. I have seen the greatest reduction in my body fat.

congrats - that is awesome!!! I'm definitely trying to lose about 8% more body fat so I know that I gotta get rid of the white sugars and reduce a lot of the carbs. you definitely gave me some confirmation of what I need to do!

jmhunter84

Very true! Good stuff, and I need to cut back on all the hidden sugars