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This is the lovely Julia who receives a GoodnessMe Box and inspires us each month by sharing her health journey. We were so excited to get to know Julia better and find out about the simple changes that have transformed her health.
What is your food philosophy?
Eat to nourish. Your body is a working machine and needs the right amount of good fuel. There will always be time in your life to eat sweet or unhealthy foods so when it’s not that time, it’s important to keep your insides happy and healthy and your body will thank you for it!
Tell us about your eating choices now compared to a few years ago? How different does your shopping trolley look?
Oh wow! Looking back, my year 7 lunch box looked like a Woolworths back-to-school snacks ad. Fresh fruit was not a thing, but brightly coloured packages full of sugar-laden snacks with an ingredients list longer than an average Instagram caption definitely were. Over the years the quantity and quality has improved drastically, and my eating habits now generally include smaller portions of healthier and fresher food. I tend to avoid sugar wherever possible and I love too cook when I have the time! I still have treats but I try my best to keep them minimal.
What was the turning point that made you sit up and make a change to your lifestyle?
Probably around year 9 when I started noticing I was becoming rather round for a teenager and it was affecting my body image and how I felt both physically and mentally. So when I started exercising more for the exercise itself rather than for the participation of school sport, healthier eating naturally followed as I didn’t want to counteract all the hard work I did at the gym.
How do you feel now compared to when you were eating differently?
It feels good mentally to know that I’m doing a good thing for my body rather than filling it with food that has no nutritional value. I do tend to notice that I sleep worse when I get into dips of unhealthy eating so that’s a factor that does improve. I also just feel happier overall – not always hungry or feeling sick anymore. I still struggle with weight loss even after eating better but that’s just the way my body works. The important thing is that I consciously make an effort to be good to my body and I feel good!
Is there anything you do now that you once never thought possible?
Decline sugar. That was a big thing when I went without sugar for 3 months. And nobody knew about it; I didn’t make a big deal but I would just kindly decline the offer and after a while it became a habit and it wasn’t even hard. Compared to past me who ate little more than sugary rubbish (I’ve been addicted to sugar before) I never thought it possible to turn down such a common thing in day-to-day life. It also made me realise just how often sugar creeps into your day and how much it’s really in! It’s crazy to find that your oyster sauce for a stir fry has sugar! Why is this acceptable in society?
How has GoodnessMe Box helped you on your health journey?
GoodnessMe Box has been really great in introducing me to so many health products and brands that I otherwise would never have known about! Each month also comes with so much great, healthy stuff that snacks and usually breakfasts are basically covered for the month! The amazing value for money also means that I can eat really well at an affordable price and I really appreciate that.
What are your ultimate favourite health product finds that you have discovered through GoodnessMe Box that you recommend to help others?
- Wholey Foods Cocoa Breakfast Smoothie
- Fine Fettle Brek flats (any flavour – they’re all great!)
- Jimmy Blacks Organic Black Bean Powder
