Treat Your Body Like You Love It!

This was a post that I wrote for my cousin, Rebecca, who runs an organization called H.I.P.S. (Health Image Power Success) which helps to foster positive self-image among teenagers. I was so inspired by her work and all of the good that she has accomplished that I was so unbelievably honored to be asked  to write this piece about how fitness and healthy nutrition can enhance your life to create a healthy balance! Check out their website and Facebook for more great information and motivation! Enjoy!

Your body is an amazing thing. When you really stop and take a minute to appreciate what it is capable of, it's truly mind-boggling. The inner-workings of your body are made up of such an intricate collection of systems that even the greatest minds on the planet don't fully understand it. One thing they do understand, however, is that if you don't treat it right, there's a good chance it won't treat you right. In order to get the most of this beautiful work of art, there are certain things your body requires of you.

Proper nutrition allows your body, as well as your mind, to work to their fullest potential and give you the opportunity to enjoy everything that life has to offer. The key to making your body run more effectively is fueling it with adequate nutrients and hydration - without this, you can suffer from such symptoms as chronic fatigue, depression, decreased ability to concentrate and a multitude of physical ailments.

Fitness can also enhance your body and your life in ways you may never have even thought possible. When it comes to fitness, it's not about fitting the mold of someone else's idea of perfection. It's about pushing yourself beyond the limits you once thought were holding you back. It's about seeing what you are truly capable of, about breaking personal records, about creating a stronger version of yourself. When practiced in its purest form, the art of physical fitness will not only build a healthier body, but build character and a healthier spirit as well.

Creating a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle first starts with the right mindset - meaning you must want to include fitness and a healthy diet in your life for the right reasons. Instead of making these efforts day in and day out because of self-hate, do it out of self-love. Do it because you love everything about YOU and know how well you deserve to be treated - inside and out!