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Writer's pictureNahaleh Doroudian
Apr 1, 20225 min read

What Is Your "Why" For A Healthy Lifestyle?

LIving a healthy lifestyle is definitely a journey all on its own. It involves the mind, the body and the soul. We are constantly being reminded to look good and maintain a particular image. This reminder comes from social media, billboards, magazines, tv shows, movies, friends, and close family. Growing up, I was blessed to not have much social media around since there was no Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. Thank God! I did have, however, magazines and my mom to remind me of making sure I didn't get fat. I grew up pretty healthy. I was blessed to have my mom and grandmother make delicious, nutritious, homemade Persian meals for our family. My mom tried her best to keep desserts away from me. Even to the point of my Halloween candy "magically" disappearing every year. She knew I already had a love for chocolate, cakes and candies. When I started gaining weight in high school, I felt miserable. I started working out at the gym at the early age of 16 and had no idea what I was doing. I just knew that I had to lose weight and look fit. When I now look at old photos of me going out to events from my high school days and beyond, I can see how fit I was and actually in great shape! How did I not see that in myself then? It's because I held myself to a very strict standard. It was like I really wasn't trying to be in shape for myself, but for my mom and the other people that I saw in Vegas and other clubs I went to. I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep myself looking fit and it was pretty exhausting. I must say, though, working out definitely helped me feel great mentally. That was definitely part of my why. The best physical workout for me was going out to bars and clubs and dancing for hours. The gym made me cringe every time I went and I had to motivate myself time and time again. I even tried the buddy system but my "buddies" always bailed on me. That's when I knew it was only me I could count on. So the nights I knew I was going out, I was so excited to get dressed up and know that I would be dancing for hours to my favorite music. Sometimes it even involved drinking and that would send me to a higher level of joy because I was already so full of joy. I danced so much my face would literally be dripping sweat and I didn't care. I didn't think about the calories I was burning or how much I was benefiting from this "exercise." See, dancing for me is literally the highest form of exercising that I benefit from. My physical body, my mind and my soul are vibrating at the highest levels. I'm working out for me. Not for the magazines, the actresses on tv, or my mother.


I have tried so many different methods of working out. The most extreme version of working out for me was Barry's bootcamp. It was so extreme that it caused me to go to physical therapy. I was having anxiety every time I drove to my class. It was like my mind and heart was telling me NO don't go. I didn't listen because I felt like it was the thing to do. Since I didn't listen to my intuition, I was removed from that form of exercise through an injury. See, the universe tries to steer you in the direction of what is essential for you and your body and mind. Every form of exercise should be for a release and pleasure it brings you. This also relates to the foods you are eating for your healthy lifestyle. If your body is craving greens, eat them. If your body is craving a dessert one day, eat it! Don't beat yourself up about that either. We are at a critical time right now in which we are removing old habits and old wounds. This includes the times when you wanted a dessert and you were told you couldn't have it. So again I must ask you. What is your why for a healthy lifestyle? Is it for you? Is it for your partner? Is it for others? If the answer is for YOU, then you're right on track. If when you get dressed to go on your nature hike and get excited, you're on track. If you are getting ready for your pilates class or yoga and get excited, you're on track. If you are feeling sad or anxious about any workout you're about to commit to, you're on the wrong track. Listen to your body and emotions. Listen to what it's telling you. Your emotions are the key to everything and always leading you to your victory.


I've begun to realize that most of my why's for my healthy lifestyle was for others for most of my life. It's taken a while to remove so many of those old beliefs and patterns, but the good news is that they are slowly but surely being worked on. I am truly focusing on what my body needs for me. That includes my workouts and my diet. I am balancing my walks and workouts with the foods that my body is craving. These foods even include some chocolate or sweets from time to time. I know that my body and emotions are quite literally directing me and guiding me on what I need for my highest and greatest good. Guiding me to remove self judgement and replace it with self love. Self love is maintaining what you need that's best for YOU. What works for others may not work for YOU. What works for you may not work for others. The beauty of this process is that either way, we are all finding our ways out of lack, fear and hurt, into love, peace and freedom. Freedom from the shackles of doubt and our self image that's projected to others. When you spend more time feeding yourself the foods you need, the inspirational content you pay attention to, and positivity, you begin to see the light. You begin to believe in yourself more and take guided action. You begin to see the beauty within and all around you. Take the time today and ask yourself about your why and start living for you. It's when you put yourself first that the rest of the world starts to compliment you energetically and maybe even verbally. It always starts with YOU.



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