I made myself a Green Juice this morning. I had planned to sleep in today so I bought the ingredients last night. Enjoy the video of the making of my Wellness Green Juice. This week will also be my Green Juice week.
I made fresh Beets Juice last week but, sorry, no photo to share.
Make or Buy It
I had never thought of owning a juicer. I thank God for Robeks, the smoothie chain store. They also make and sell fresh juices and are my preferred place for fresh juices and smoothies.
Juicers are now easily available and operable. They used to be huge, cumbersome, complicated to use, and expensive. But, I still don’t have one. I do however have a spare blender that I can use. I’ll use it as long as it works. After all, if it ain’t broken, why fix it?!
As you can see from the video, using the blender is a three-step process compared to using a masticating juicer. I enjoyed my Green Juice which is one of my wellness rituals. Drinking freshly-pressed juice has various benefits, including giving you an inner glow.
This leads me to a question that I always pose: “Why didn’t I do this religiously before now?” “Why do we wait to receive a bad medical report before amending our diets and incorporating exercise regimen?” “Why?” “Why?” “Why?”
Read on … 🙂
Personal Health
I recently had some skin issues (flare ups) which I, at first thought, was dry skin from dehydration. Then I thought it was eczema, then psoriasis, then … the doctor couldn’t tell me what it was. No creams nor pills prescribed worked. So we were all playing guessing game. I had to now take charge of my health; not that I never did. But more so now. I went through some processes of elimination and substitution with my food. I saw the greatest difference when I did a green juice cleanse for a week. I fed on solely green juice, green tea, and water. It was hard, but it produced the desired result.
Suddenly, we realize we’re not invincible, and those habits we’ve been ignoring are now staring us in the face.
Why Do We Wait for a Bad Medical Report to Fix Our Diets or Start Exercising?
We’ve all heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” For many of us, this mindset tends to sneak into how we treat our health. We’re doing just fine—no symptoms, no alarms going off—so why overhaul our diet or break a sweat when lounging on the couch is so much more fun? Unfortunately, it often takes a bad medical report to finally convince us to make changes we probably should’ve started years ago. But why? Let’s break down this classic human tendency with some truths.
The Power of the Illusion: “I’m Fine!”
Humans are remarkably good at living in the moment, especially when things are going smoothly. If our bodies aren’t screaming at us, we assume everything is in perfect working order. No symptoms? No problem! It’s easy to dismiss the idea that years of junk food, late-night snacking, and sitting all day could eventually catch up with us.
We might even convince ourselves that we’re an exception to the rules of biology. “Sure, everyone else might need to eat their vegetables, but I’m built different!” And thus, we skip that extra serving of greens and pass up on regular exercise in favor of…well, anything else. That is, until the doctor hands us a less-than-flattering lab result.
Denial is a Comfortable Place
Let’s face it: denial is cozy. The idea that our lifestyle choices won’t bite us back is so much easier to digest (pun intended) than facing the reality that our habits might be steering us toward trouble. For a lot of people, bad news in a medical report feels like a lightning bolt, but in truth, it’s more of a wake-up call after years of snoozing the alarm.
“But I Feel Fine!”
A bad medical report can feel like a betrayal. “But I feel fine!” you might protest. It’s one thing if we’re experiencing warning signs like constant fatigue or chronic pain, but when everything seems to be running smoothly, it’s tempting to think our health is invincible. This thinking is a major reason people wait until something goes wrong before making changes. If you feel okay, why stop indulging in that triple-layer cheeseburger or your third slice of cake?
Unfortunately, our bodies are masters at hiding issues until they can no longer be ignored. Many serious conditions—like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes—can develop quietly over time without immediate symptoms. The body often whispers before it shouts, and the whispering phase is when we should be making changes.
The “Tomorrow” Problem
Ah, procrastination: the oldest trick in the book! The idea of starting a new diet or incorporating a workout routine is always appealing… tomorrow. After all, today is too busy, and we’ve already had pizza for lunch, so what’s the point of starting now?
We’re experts at coming up with reasons to delay healthy habits. Tomorrow, the fridge will be stocked with healthier choices. Tomorrow, we’ll finally dust off that yoga mat or try that fitness app. Tomorrow will be the start of our journey to a fitter, healthier us…until tomorrow comes, and suddenly it’s next week. Unfortunately, “tomorrow” is a fickle thing, and before we know it, our doctor is the one nudging us to get serious.
The Motivational Power of a Bad Medical Report
There’s something about seeing a negative health report in black and white that forces us to confront reality. Whether it’s high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, or even a warning about our heart health, bad news has a way of cutting through the noise and getting our attention. Suddenly, we realize we’re not invincible, and those habits we’ve been ignoring—our love for sugary snacks, our sedentary lifestyle—are now staring us in the face.
The fear of a potential health crisis can be a powerful motivator. That same triple cheeseburger that used to be the highlight of your week suddenly seems less appealing when you’re reminded that it might be contributing to something serious. And that gym membership card, which was collecting dust, starts looking like a lifeline.
And to add, one doesn’t really need a gym membership to stay healthy. I love the outdoors and would rather walk outside or hike than stay two hours in the gym! We also need the weights for toning. You can buy those to save money paying for gym membership that you’ll hardly visit.
Why Wait? The Benefits of Acting Now
While a medical report can be a great wake-up call, why wait until you’re forced to make changes under pressure? Proactively taking care of your health not only helps prevent those scary moments but also has a ton of benefits right away. Here’s why it’s worth making the switch sooner rather than later:
- More Energy: Regular exercise and a balanced diet can give you more energy throughout the day. Who needs that mid-afternoon slump when you can feel vibrant and focused?
- Better Mood: Moving your body releases endorphins, making you feel happier. Plus, cutting back on sugar and junk food can help you avoid the emotional rollercoaster that comes with sugar crashes.
- Improved Sleep: Eating better and exercising regularly often lead to better sleep patterns, meaning you’ll wake up feeling refreshed rather than groggy.
- Long-Term Savings: Making healthier choices now can save you from expensive medical bills down the road. Consider it an investment in your future health.
Conclusion
The Time to Act Is Now!
While it’s totally human to wait until things get serious before changing our habits, we can avoid a lot of heartache (and heartburn) by taking action before a bad medical report arrives. No need to wait for your doctor to deliver a grim verdict—your body is giving you all the signs you need to start making positive changes today. So, let’s ditch the “tomorrow” mentality, grab that green juice or smoothie, and start moving before our bodies have to force us into it!
Your future self will thank you.