Belinda Norton believes a healthy body starts from within.
The Gold Coast PE teacher, who looks better in her 40s than she did in her 20s, has shared the three things she swears by that helped transform her body – leaving her in the best shape of her life.
“The hardest thing for a woman to overcome is this – ‘Genuine love of the body we live in’… We are our worst critic,” the mum-of-two, 45, said in a lengthy Instagram post.
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“There are three things that truly helped me find genuine love and gratefulness for my body daily.”
The first on her list is eating a well balanced diet.
“The exterior body is only a good paint job – it is the body function that really matters,” she explained.
“So lots of vegetables and earth grown food. Hydrate more than you think – magnesium and salt water are the best supplements.”
Not only is her body a reflection of what she eats, but she also uses her mind to improve her health.
“Let go of your external body and be the most successful internal system,” she said.
“Watch as your whole body ignites. This includes your mindset and how you respond to others.
“When you love yourself, you never make judgements or create unnecessary negativity toward others.”
Finally, she said you should stop worrying about what others think of you.
“No one judges your body – no one,” she said.
“It is your thoughts. It is your expectation. Take nothing personally.”
She added: “Please absorb it deep into your internal body.”
Many thanked Norton for sharing her positive words, with one saying: “Very much needed to hear exactly this right now.”
Another said: “This really speaks to me. I often worry about other people thinking bad things about my body. But really I am the only one who thinks anything bad of it.”
While one added: “Love this so much!”
Belinda’s anti-ageing secrets
1. Less cardio more light speed weights
Try less running. I appreciate a good run but I have found excessive running to be counterproductive to our best body shape.
Over the years I have significantly shortened my running distances, rather completing quality speed sessions.
I used to run and run and this created such stress in my body that I began to age faster.
I run only 3km–7km distances now unless I am completing a race.
Otherwise I vary walking, sprints, or complete high-quality weight speed circuits with short run efforts in between.
2. Eat foods that enhance skin health
Try to eat spinach at least five times a week, in salads, added with eggs in the morning or within dinners eg. tacos.
Snack on almonds daily – approximately one handful.
Eat salmon at least twice a week – high in protein, fish oils and good fats for your skin.
Eat vegetables in every meal.
3. Wash your face every day
Always wash your face at night; never sleep in any makeup.
Ensure you exfoliate every three days with a high quality exfoliate containing lactic acid.
Moisturise morning and night.
4. Avoid ALL processed foods
Less processed foods and avoid the calorie or macro rating as it is a ridiculous way to live, especially if it involves you eating processed food.
(Avoid) food made in a factory filled with chemicals and with items that should not be consumed nor be processed within our delicate bodies. It will not create a highly functional body nor it is nutrient loaded.
Think about the food you (eat) as it actually is. How is it made? Where did it came from? These two factors will help you to avoid it.
5. Stop the ‘diet’ regime and start the ‘body positive boost’ regime
Eat health foods that nourish your body regularly.
Eat six meals the size of your two fists daily.
6. Limit sugar of all types
When the dessert crave hits that peak after dinner, slice up apple – ensure it’s (cut in) deliciously fine crispy slices.
And if you still crave more, dip in peanut butter or even add some flavoured almonds.
7. Walk every morning
Upon waking, get dressed and get out for a walk before breakfast, then eat upon return.
It will evoke the waking of your body and your metabolism.
It helps your body to revive and start up correctly in the morning.
Energy will remain higher all day and you will feel a buzz of certainty about yourself.
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