by Ja’Kemia Price, The Queen of ODU

With so many fad diets, new ideas, and different trends on the rise, the thought of getting and staying in shape can be overwhelming. As we ease into the New Year of 2018 and the world makes big changes, so should you.

Staying healthy all year long means finding healthier and more natural ways of living so you can become the best version of yourself. Here, I’ve shared proven ways to get in shape and stay in shape — the same practices that have worked for me and for many others I’ve served through my business. After all, I played a little “Russian roulette” with my body for two years to discover what really works.

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#1 Drink Water

I can’t express enough how important water is for our bodies. Every part of us depends on it to function properly. Water renews cells, removes waste, delivers oxygen to the brain and body, helps manufacture neurotransmitters and hormones, and regulates temperature.

Up to 60% of the human body is water. According to H.H. Mitchell in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (Vol. 158), the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, the lungs about 83%, the skin 64%, muscles and kidneys 79%, and even the bones contain 31% water. These numbers don’t even include the cellular and genetic components that depend entirely on water for survival.

Water truly is the most essential element for life.

We should always drink natural spring water when possible, as it often has a higher pH balance and fewer harmful chemicals that strip the body of stored nutrients. Water holds memory — it responds to your words and energy. Just as it cleanses the earth, it will also cleanse and flush toxins from your body.

“If you want to flush it away, drink at least half your body weight in water a day.”
– Ja’Kemia Price

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#2 Eat Fresh, Natural, Organic, In-Season Foods

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy physique is to eat fresh. This simple shift changed my life forever.

Early in my nutrition education, I learned about S.O.U.L. foods — and no, not cornbread and collard greens (well, maybe the collards).
S.O.U.L. stands for Seasonal, Organic, Unrefined/Unprocessed, and Local foods.

When you remember this acronym, you automatically increase the quality of your life. Eating S.O.U.L. foods ensures that your body receives the best vitamins and minerals in their purest form. The closer your food is grown to home, the more compatible it is with your body. You also absorb some of the same energy and messages from the environment that the food gathered during its growth.

The shorter the travel distance, the less decay — and the better the taste. Simply switching to a S.O.U.L.-based diet instead of packaged or processed foods can lower the risk of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases.

When you eat fresh, you can season your food naturally with herbs and spices instead of relying on processed ingredients loaded with sodium and preservatives — ingredients you often can’t even pronounce.

Really, what’s the point of adding yellow dye to canned corn when it’s already yellow? We don’t need another chemical or cancer-causing additive on top of the industrial materials used to seal the cans.

The advantage of eating fresh is knowing exactly what you’re putting into your body — and because the food is whole, you receive every essential nutrient it has to offer.

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#3 Become an Intuitive Eater

Becoming an intuitive eater helps you become more aware of what you’re putting into your body. It’s one of the best ways to shed stubborn pounds and keep them off.

When we take time to eat without distractions (no TV, no phone), we practice mindfulness. When we slow down and truly savor our food, we eat intuitively.

Intuitive eating is about knowing when you’re hungry and recognizing when you’re eating out of emotion — boredom, stress, sadness, or habit.

When you take time to reflect on your feelings before eating, you can catch yourself when your body isn’t truly hungry and find a more meaningful way to respond. Intuitive eating allows you to enjoy food on a deeper level and appreciate how it supports your overall well-being.

One of the best resources I’ve found on this practice is Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works by Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole.

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#4 Plan Your Meals with Meal Prepping

Meal planning can feel like a headache at first, but I promise it’s worth it.

The benefits of meal prepping are incredible. You know those lazy days when you don’t feel like cooking, so you grab fast food — the same food you swore you’d avoid at the start of the year? When you prep ahead, you already have healthy options waiting for you.

If you have a family, prep for them too. You don’t need fancy containers with fruit and veggies portioned out for the week — those are just for show. Instead, choose one or two days a week when you have time, plan your meals, shop for ingredients, and cook.

Be creative! You can reuse ingredients or leftovers to create new meals later in the week. Whether you’re single or feeding a family, meal prepping helps you make healthier choices and saves time and money. It can even help you lose weight.

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Other Ways to Stay Healthy All Year Long

Start a Daily Routine or Ritual.
Routines help organize your life and create more time for what matters. For example, start your morning by drinking 32 ounces of water at least 30 minutes before breakfast. It helps your body wake up and begin flowing — congratulations, you’ve just broken your nightly fast!

Get Moving.
Set aside time each day to move your body. Even 15–30 minutes of cardio is enough. Not everyone can make it to the gym or yoga studio, but there are many ways to stay active — take the stairs, walk the long way, or download a quick 7-minute workout app. Any effort is better than none.

Document What’s Working.
Keep track of your habits and progress. If something’s working, stick with it. If you don’t notice a change after 6–8 weeks of consistent effort, try something new.

Get Your Mind Involved.
We’ve all heard the saying “Mind over matter” — and it’s true. The mind controls everything. Without mental balance, your physical and spiritual efforts won’t reach their full potential. Learn to manage your thoughts and emotions.

One of the best ways to stay healthy all year long is to start a meditation and/or yoga practice. Yoga strengthens the body, focuses the mind, and nurtures the soul — all at once.

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Try these steps, and I’m confident you’ll notice a tremendous difference in your overall health and wellness.

Thank you for reading my blog — I truly appreciate every one of you.
Visit my website: www.queenofodu.weebly.com and subscribe to my weekly newsletter for new recipes, spiritual guidance, health tips, and more.

You can also visit my YouTube channel for guided meditations and holistic living videos:
👉 Queen of ODU YouTube Channel

Namaste,
Ja’Kemia Price, The Queen of ODU

Resources:
U.S. Geological Survey – The Water in You

This post was originally written in 2018, during the early stages of my personal healing journey — a time when The Queen of ODU was still just a seed of faith, love, and vision. I’ve chosen to keep this post alive as part of my “Returning to Wholeness” series, which honors the growth, wisdom, and lessons gathered over these past seven years.

The message remains the same, but the words have been gently polished for clarity and flow. My hope is that it continues to inspire you — a reminder that your journey toward health, peace, and spiritual alignment is always evolving, just as mine has.

✨ Healing the mind. Grounding the soul.
— Ja’Kemia Price, The Queen of ODU