January Health Goals For ME and YOU
Y’ALL it has been a really long time since I have written a blog post! With the holidays, life, and an engagement...AHHHH...There has just been a lot going on and I was definitely in one of those phases, where the words were just not happening. Those damn writer’s blocks hit me hard and when I don’t feel it, I really don’t feel it. I try to just ride it out, because I know in the end the urge to write again will come back and it did!!!
What better way to kick off the NEW YEAR than with lots of GOOD stuff to talk about?!?!? It is time to buckle down and write away! It is time to spread joy, love, health, and inspiration, because it is a New Year and let us make it better than the last one. And a topic that I LOVE to talk about is OUR wellness and it is one that EVERYONE is talking about, because it is January, the “Super Bowl” month for the fitness and health industry. It is a lot...It is aggressive...It can be overwhelming...It can be really annoying. I am going to break it down one topic at a time and these are the topics that mean the most to me.
Health
People put a lot of pressure on themselves this month to tackle Whole30, Dry January, fitness challenges, and cleanses...It is a lot and it is everywhere on social media and TV. Companies are pushing all this stuff HARD! It is the SAME routine every time we roll into a New Year! We binge on all the booze and food and then we restrict ourselves and try all the new trends, gimmicks, and even pills.
These THINGS that are being sold “can” be a quick fix, but it is NOT a long-term healthy solution if you are looking to lose weight, gain strength, or just feel better overall. These quick fixes can wreak havoc on your body and almost more on your MIND.
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely indulge, as I am far from perfect and have my slip-ups, but not like I used too. Whether it is getting older or just knowing my body better, my body can no longer handle all that sugar and salt. It rejects it and if I do go overboard, lord have mercy it is not good the next day!
Instead of punishing my body, which I also used to do, by restricting, working out like crazy, etc., I just wake up, drink lots of water, move my body, and eat the foods that I need to fill it back up to feel better. No regrets anymore, because who wants to waste their time and energy on negative thoughts, especially these days!
Let me also just say that it has taken me a while to get to this point. I try to sustain a healthy and active lifestyle ALL YEAR ROUND, not just for a few days or a few weeks. Hell yeah, it takes work, patience, learning, growing, and dedication, but it sets me up for long-term success, while still allowing me to enjoy life!
Instead of signing up for ALL the challenges that you see influencers doing, or whatever is being advertised on TV or Facebook, think about making this a year you change your lifestyle from the inside out. Commit to the entire year to make better choices for your overall health, rather than just committing to 31 days this month!
Fitness
The movement...The sweat...The strength...The community...There is so much to LOVE about fitness these days, as there are SO MANY ways to stay inspired, even if you are working out at home. With all that the fitness industry is offering today, I believe that this is the easiest way to maintain your GOALS for 2021.
What does fitness look like to me this year?
I am doing ALL THE THINGS, but I am doing it with more mindfulness. Last year, I was aggressive and was training way too hard, which led to injury and burnout. It was my way to handle the stress and I overdid it. When I eased back, adjusted my training, focused more on strength, and started to walk more, the shift happened. This took a good few months and it wasn’t until December that I was able to run long distances again and do more HIIT training without pain. This was HUGE HUGE HUGE progress for me. To be able to run again without shooting pains in my knee made me beyond happy.
And who would have thought that walking with Lucy bright and early in the morning, would turn into my favorite time of day. It has become my meditation practice and I think she looks forward to it too. If I am not bundled up walking Lucy, you will find me on the bike at The Method Studios or on the mat at The Works. Since I am still working away at home, I am grateful for these spaces to allow me to escape to, socialize, and to get a good ass kicking. Beyond grateful for these STRONG women who run both of these studios!
With so much to choose from regarding your fitness regimen this year, be open to trying new things. Choose things that make you happy and more importantly make you feel good. Your workouts shouldn’t be painful and leave you not being able to walk for a couple of days after. They should leave you sweaty, tired, a little bit sore, but also smiling. Yes, it is possible to smile after a hard workout, because you accomplished something BIG that your mind and body truly does appreciate.
Food
Unlike fitness, food is just flat out complicated and hard! I think this one definitely takes the most time and patience to establish what works best for you, your body, and your goals. This beast of a topic is something that I could write its own post about, but I am going to keep it short and sweet.
KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! I feel my best when I eat real foods, drink lots of water, take my probiotic, but also give myself grace to enjoy eating out and adult beverages. My body and appetite has changed A LOT this past year and I think stress has played a large part in it, but also just getting older, hormonal changes, and who the hell knows what else. It has been frustrating at times, but I have learned and am learning that when I give myself GRACE, my body responds better and I feel better.
Being very attune with your body can sometimes be a blessing and a curse, but at the end of the day, knowing how to properly fuel my body before a long run...or when my body needs that big ass ribeye...or that sweet tooth craving appears is a big accomplishment. I would not be able to do what I do as far as fitness, if I did not know how to properly nourish this body.
Food is hard and complicated, so be patient, experiment, and if you feel overwhelmed or lost, reach out to a professional. I know a few people!
Self-Care
Take care of YOU this year! When you combine health, fitness, and food, you are already giving yourself a lot of self-care, but don’t forget to do a little more for yourself. Things are still a little uncertain these days and I really don’t do as much “retail therapy” as I used to, but I do make sure to support our small businesses here in Charleston. I still splurge on my hair and nails. And I will never say NO to a good meal that involves good wine and delicious food...Obviously!
Self-Care can look different to everyone! It does not have to be a materialistic thing either. Choose those things that bring you JOY and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside!
Make this the year that you do YOU and YOU are happy. I realized after last year that there are so many things that I cannot control, but there are things that I can control. I want to focus on the good. I want to focus on my relationships with Shannon, friends, and family, because these people are the ones who bring me JOY. I want to just live my best life with what I have! It is about being grateful, happy, and enjoying your life, and doing what works for YOU!
xoxo
