Steps I Would Take To Get Back To Health
“We are either developing illness or developing wellness with our thoughts and actions.” Dr. John Travis
I love this reminder as a nice little kick in the butt to help sober us up to the idea that we are either choosing health or we aren’t. We get to choose how we live this life - let’s choose to live our lives in a way that develops wellness.
Here are a few steps I would take if I wanted to get back to choosing health and wellness in my life.
Determine why I want to feel better and focus on intrinsic goals - not goals from others or external factors
“I am tired of not feeling energetic enough to do the things I used to love.”
“I want to do more than just work at the computer.”
“I want to run around with my kids!”
“I want to feel good in my skin and feel energized.”
“I want to respect my body again.”
“I want to make time for play and movement - I know it will help me in other areas of my life too.”
“I want to feel like I have a choice when it comes to my health.”
“I am ready to feel confident in my choices and own my choices.”
Determine what lies I am telling myself about why I can’t seem to stay healthy
“I am not disciplined enough.”
“My husband always wants to go out to eat and watch TV so It’s his fault that I am stuck with this extra weight.”
“My friends just want to go out and drink every night and if I don’t keep up I won’t have friends.”
“I have just always been overweight and I always will be. Everyone in my family is.”
“I don’t even know where to start so why bother.”
“I don’t have enough time to workout so I guess this is just how I am going to feel and look.”
Fight the Lies - replace the lies - question the lies
“I just need some accountability but I am disciplined enough to make some changes. The changes can be small.”
“My husband can continue to make those choices but I don’t have to make the same choices.”
“I can still hang out with my friends but I just might start going home earlier to get more sleep and I could start to invite my friends to workout classes or out on walks.”
“I get to make new decisions - I get to make changes - I am not my family.”
“I can start with drinking more water, walking once a week, eating nuts and fruit as a snack, sleeping more, being in the sunshine - there are “Small” steps I can take that I know will make a huge difference”.
“I do have pockets of 10 - 20 minutes where I could turn on some music do Squats, Planks, stretches, and lunges. Something will always be better than nothing.”
Add a few healthy habits into my days/weeks - make it a fun experiment - see how you feel! It pays off to be curious!
Carry a water bottle with me everywhere
Keep electrolyte packets in my car
Journal at the end of the day how I feel and what I am proud of from the day
Join a book club or some social club
Order sparkling water at every restaurant for 2 weeks
Walk once a day for 10 minutes
Sit in the sunshine every day
Go on a walk with friends once a week
Try 2 workout classes in a month
Eat nuts and fruit for a snack each day
Eat protein with breakfast each day this week
Invite a friend to go play pickleball, golf, or tennis this month
Stretch before bed for 5 minutes
Read before bed
Invite a friend to coffee midweek to have some fun and create time for connection.
What Experiment do you want to try out?
