I am trying to work out "as usual" during this crisis and it is not working. I need my gym and the routine that I loved for over 2 years. Today, I want to share my struggles to give you hope and encouragement to continue working toward optimal health....no matter what the situation! Do not let your circumstances stop you COLD!
When I was studying for my Health Coaching certification, I was making many changes to my nutrition as well as lifestyle. I cannot even tell you how many things I changed. At one time I had a list going and it was over 60 things I changed or added to my life over a 1 year period. It was never about deprivation, but about adding new things in or taking things out that were no longer working for my health.
This may sound overwhelming. I did not change 60 things in 1 day, like we do on New Year's Eve. When we overwhelm our human selves to change everything at once (like New Year's Eve) we break our resolutions 3 or 4 days later and think we have failed.
We need to love ourselves and be patient with ourselves over time.
I remember at the end of that year, I felt the best I have ever felt in my life. I had absolutely no aches or pains. I had so much energy from morning till night and could not wait to jump out of bed in the morning. I WANT THIS NOW!
I realize part of this new found energy came from helping people get healthy while also making many changes to my lifestyle. It was an amazing season in my life.
Here are some of the 60 things I changed:
- my thyroid medication
- stop drinking tap water
- stopped eating gluten
- stopped eating dairy
- started eating coconut products
- added avocados to my diet
- stopped dieting
- started eating real food
- stopped going to the gym
- started moving my body naturally (bike riding, walking, yoga)
- started gardening and growing my own food
- sleep at least 7 hours
- started seeing a functional medicine doctor
- I connect with many people
- I get massages/chiropractic sessions
- I am grateful
- I have a spiritual practice, I trust God
- I practice kindness and forgiveness
To be honest, I am struggling to get back to that place of pain free living, with boundless energy. I know that I can do it because I have been there before. That old ugly stress comes piling on us and we stop taking care of ourselves. We stop paying close attention to what we are eating. We are not sleeping well. We let some old dietary habits slip back in (dairy because it is so delicious!). We would rather have two large coffees than two large waters. We let our minds go to negative places and start doubting ourselves and our resolve.
Does this sound like you?
I challenge you to take a step in the right direction today. I beg you not to go crazy trying to change everything over night. No one can sustain that type of deprivation. Deprivation leads to bingeing. Over time using that strategy will send you right back where you began or worse off than before.
Perhaps this list below could help you get started to make a few changes a week. Pick two that are manageable for you right now. By the time you turn around, it will be November and you will have made many changes. We can never get today back so we might as well do our best here and now.
- Drink more clean water - 1/2 your body weight in ounces (if you weight 130 lbs. just drink 65 oz /day and stop at 7:30 p.m.)
- Eat green veggies at every meal of the day
- Do not skip meals
- Eat smaller portions
- Minimize eating out (this is working for all of us right now!)
- Cook for yourself/prep your meals a day in advance to control portions
- Ask a friend to be your partner in your journey to health
- Try eliminating dairy
- Try eliminating gluten
- Add good fats into your diet: olives, avocado, nuts and seeds, coconut oil, coconut flakes, avocado oil, olive oil.
I wish you the best health!
Denise Lovat
Certified Health Coach
"Change Your Life with Food"
"Change Your Life with Food"
You can reach me at deniselovathealthcoach@gmail.com
