From Charlie’s Angels to The Body Book, Cameron Diaz is a celebrity icon with an exemplary wellness and fitness routine that is repeatedly evident in her words, actions, and figure. Taking a look back when she starred in the popular movie by the name of Charlie’s Angels (at the age of 26), until today (at the age of 43), Diaz has upheld an incredible physique and should most definitely serve as an example of how to care for your wellbeing and whole self.
Leaving her smoking addiction, weak build, and poor diet (which lead to excessive blemishes) behind, she committed to change and has been about it ever since. She began this new lifestyle as she trained for her role in the crime/thriller film at the age of 26. No matter what age you are, you are capable of making a change. In fact, she sheds more light on this in the April 2016 issue of Women’s Health magazine. So keep an eye out for any further insight!
The Body Book was published a little less than three years ago by Cameron Diaz in hopes of inspiring readers to make changes to enrich their lives by sharing her advice, experiences, and passion for health. This is a guide to the proper mindsets and practices for success in every aspect of life. Not only is Cameron Diaz a stunning Hollywood star on screen, she is a strong woman with incredible work ethic and discipline. That being said, I have pulled a couple of quotes from her book to gain an understanding of, and hopefully inspire you in such a way that compels to create a call to action.
Choice
“The responsibility to be healthy is in your hands—no one else is going to do it for you. So ask yourself: do you want to live in a body that allows you to do the things you want to do, a body that is full of health and capability, that you are proud to call your own? Because it’s your choice.” (Diaz 2013)
This may seem incredibly obvious, but if you really break it down you will find that this quote has a lot of depth. Each new day that we wake up, we are faced with making thousands of decisions. Decisions are made amongst choices. In every situation, every action, and every thought, you have a choice. Upon waking up you have the choice to get out of bed or not, to stay awake or fall back asleep, these are amongst the simplest of choices that we are faced with. If you were to take a typical Monday and breakdown everything that occurs, you would be overwhelmed by the amount of choices you make (whether they were thought out or subliminally by routine). To live the life you yearn to live you must have a healthy mind and healthy body. They are a team and work together to make all that you do, actually happen. Choosing to take the best care of your body that you possibly can is your own responsibility and needs to be a choice that make you make each day just as simply as the choice to get out of bed. Once you choose to uphold that responsibility day in and day out, in every decision you make, you will create a habit and find yourself at your optimum potential.
Nutrition & Activity
“When it comes to your nutrition, you are what you eat. When it comes to your fitness, you are how you move. Movement shapes your muscles, strengthens your heart and lungs, sharpens your brain and elevates your mood.” (Diaz 2013)
Indeed, it is as simple as you are what you eat when it comes to nutrition. If you make healthy decisions with the food you consume, you will be rewarded with energy, positive emotions, motivation, and confidence. Whereas if you choose to splurge on unhealthy foods, it will eventually reflect negatively in your health issues, feelings, self-image, and overall attitude. Then again, if it were that simple, we all would be extremely healthy and this would not even be a discussion. The problem that we all face is the temptation of immediate gratification. From eating sugar to kicking back on the couch watching our favorite reality T.V. shows, we are fulfilling an immediate gratification that will do everything but better us in the long-term (long-term being just a few hours later). As with all things in life, balance is key. By making the choice to eat sugar you will immediately have a boost in energy, happiness, and will have depleted a craving, but then you crash and feel lower than you were before you even indulged. Never mind all the psychological and digestion issues with having a poor diet. On the other hand, when it comes to exercise: If you choose to rest on the couch for an episode of Real Housewives more times than not, you are not enriching your life and routine. This is fine to do from time to time, but these are not the sorts of choices you want to make a habit of. Take a minute to write out a list of healthy nutritious foods that you enjoy, and make a habit of eating clean. As for exercise, repeat this process and make a list of activities that you enjoy and that intrigue you. The more you indulge in the good, the less room there is for the bad. When you have exhausted these lists, do it again with a new list. Approach each day knowing what you will become with the decision of proper nutrition and movement.
Will Power
“One of my favorite sayings is “Pain is weakness leaving your body.” Isn’t that such a great thing to know? When you push through to the other side of pain, you are stronger for it; you let go of weakness and build resilience in your mind and body. Because the more you resist giving up when you can actually keep going, the more your mind will also adapt—it will learn that it is capable and it will power you through the pain.” (Diaz 2013)
Never overdo it, but most definitely push yourself to new heights. The feeling of achievement that comes along with reaching new goals is one of the best there is. Not only will you physically be helping your body to be in better shape both aesthetically and in building up endurance, but you will also be empowering your mind and taking control of the negative thoughts. When we give up on ourselves, we are falling victim to our mind. By pushing past such hindering thoughts, you expand your mind and will explore more and more. This exploration will become a habit and in turn the willpower to achieve more than you had ever imagined, will be inevitable.
Choice, nutrition, activity, and will power are the four pillars that have the power to change your life. You may not be able to excel at all four of them simultaneously, but if one thing is for certain, do not give up. Make slight adjustments to each category and in due time the results will stun you. Be patient as your dreams will not be reached over night, but that is the beauty in creating positive habits that will foster your grow into becoming your absolute best self. Taking such advice from a woman of the caliber that Cameron Diaz has created for herself is a great way to begin!
Resources:
Ramsdale, Suzannah. “So This Is What We’ve Learnt About Cameron Diaz After Reading Her Health And Fitness Book…” Marie Claire. Web.
Diaz, Cameron. The Body Book. 1st ed. Harper Wave, 2013. Print.
Morril, Hannah. “No Matter Where You Are in Life, Cameron Diaz Has Some Advice for You.” Women’s Health. Web.
