How I Get Back In The Groove of Making My Health a Priority
I want to start out by saying I wholeheartedly believe in moderation. I don't think it's helpful to your mental health or truly benefits you if you're super strict with yourself about fitness and nutrition. We're human. There may be days, weeks, or even months when calling for a pizza and saying no to the gym is easier on your mental health than cooking the chicken and veggies and hitting up spin class after work. And no, you don't need to double down once you come out of that season. I know it can be tempting because you just want to get back on track, but you don't have to cut out pizza and ice cream and workout for 1+ hr 7 days a week to consider yourself "healthy" again. It doesn't have to be all or nothing!
Another thing I wholeheartedly believe - routine is SO powerful. Especially when it comes to taking care of yourself. I don't know about y'all but I crave routine and the past 2 years I've really focused on implementing healthier habits in to mine. When I'm throw out of my routine for too long, I feel like things start to slip and it causes me to spiral, and when I find myself in that position, I have to take a step back and start with the basics.
Here are a few things I incorporate in to my daily routine when I'm focusing on making my health a priority again:
Working out 5x a week for 30(ish) minutes. I usually try to make at least 3-4 of these workouts weight based workouts, because that's what I enjoy most. The other days I listen to what my body is craving, whether it's cardio, yoga, boxing, or something different - the main goal is always movement in some way, shape, or form!
Drinking water. Wow I'm so bad at this. Whenever I complain about a headache or feeling lethargic my husband always says "Well how much water did you drink today?" because he knows I'm a slacker lol. It's crazy how much of a different it makes in the way I FEEL when I'm getting enough water each day, both mentally and physically! I usually aim for 60-70oz each day, and can tell the difference in my health when I'm hitting that goal.
Keep healthier snack options in the house. I eat nutritious foods for my day to day meals about 75-80% of the time, BUT I love to snack. Well, I just love to eat in general. So keeping healthier snack options in the house is key for me when getting back on track. When I'm eating like crap I feel like crap, it's simple. Being more intentional in the kitchen leads to feeling better throughout the day!
Getting enough sleep. This one doesn't need much of an explanation... When ya girl doesn't get enough sleep, it shows. I feel tired, my energy is low, I'm cranky... blah blah blah. This is a must!
Write in my journal and read first thing in the morning instead of grabbing for my phone. I started doing this a couple years ago and it is key to starting my day on the right foot. I feel like most days I'm pulled in several directions and have a to-do list a mile long, it can feel paralyzing before the day even starts. Taking 30 minutes for myself first thing to write in my gratitude journal and read, instead of checking emails and social media, makes a huge difference in my mindset each day.
Here are a few things I try not to do when I'm focusing on making my health a priority again:
Putting a stop to eating out and drinking. I enjoy a beer or glass of wine at night when relaxing with my husband and I, personally, don't feel the need to cut alcohol out. Again, everything in moderation! I also enjoy eating really good food and sometimes that means ordering out from, or going to, a local restaurant with friends. Or getting taco bell LOL! When I put strict boundaries around food and drinks it makes me take steps backward. When I feel deprived I just want more, so that's never been a solution for me.
Measuring my progress and beating myself up. This is probably the most important thing I've written in this entire post. I will not be weighting myself. I will not be taking measurements of my stomach, legs, arms, etc. No matter what I do, or don't do, while getting back in the groove, the last thing I need is a lecture from the mean girl in my head. Some days I rock at everything I listed above, other days only 1 or 2 of those things happen. Either way, it's okay.
The important thing here is you make a conscious effort to put one foot in front of the other with your health. Tackle one goal one day at a time. Listen to your body, it knows what it wants. And for the love of all that is good in this world, be kind to yourself along the way.
xo,
B
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