I’m feeling great.
I just got back from the gym. This used to be a daily routine for me, but over the last several years, that has faded out. Covid, stress, aging, mindset, and feeling like I just don’t have the time has put exercise and my general health on a back burner.
And my body is telling me, in many different ways, that was a very bad idea.
And throughout this timeframe, I would tell myself lies like:
We’re supposed to gain weight and slow down as we age, right?
Get brain fog?
Need to buy larger sized clothes?
Want to sit and “relax” more?
Well, I don’t want to partake in any of that. And yet I have. Covid sent me to a mental and physical place that I’ve never visited before. And now, 4 years later, my body is screaming at me to do something about it.
Now, I know I have not been making the best choices over that time. Sure, I could blame it all on Covid, but I made some pretty solid bad choices….I’m talking grilled cheese at 11pm type of choices, ok? And don’t get me started on the wine. I love my wine!
But those choices pushed me over edge. And I know that my weight, brain, and energy are different as a result. Yet somehow, while it was getting worse and worse I was able to push that aside and ignore it.
Ignore it??!!
Yep. I just slid it under the rug and looked the other way. Or looked in the mirror from the waist up. Or just didn’t look very much at all.
And now I’m in shock at what I see and how I feel. And seemingly overnight, I’m on medications I’ve never had to take, I’m experiencing physical issues and going to doctor appointments more than ever before.
Is this me hitting rock bottom?
Yes. I’m making it so.
As a result of all of this, I’m obsessed with creating better health. And I know that this is a fork in the road for me. If I choose to stay on my current trajectory, I’m in trouble. My productivity, creativity and energy levels will suffer. And my later years will be painful, possibly sickly and definitely sedentary.
Or….I can choose to live a healthy life right now.
Seems like a simple choice, doesn’t it? And yet it is not easy to execute because it means we have to take time from something else to do it. And let’s face it, we all have jobs, responsibilities like kids, pets, and bills to take care of. Or TV shows to watch. Or just time sitting on the couch surfing the internet. Who has time to exercise every day?
So I ask you, what would your life be like if you made healthy living your number one priority?
Even if you’re a parent.
Even if you have a demanding job.
Even if the bills are stacking up.
Even if you just don’t want to?
Just ask yourself the question: what would my life be like if I made healthy living my number one priority?
That means you eat healthy foods. You exercise regularly. You get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. You practice stress management through meditation, yoga or other means. And you dedicate time to yourself, your hobbies, your family and your friends each week.
Just think about that for a minute.
What would change? What would improve?
Do you think you’d have a better job? Do you think you would enjoy your work more? Would you feel better about yourself? And actually like your reflection? How would you use your free time? How would you show up for your family and friends? How would you feel when you went to bed each night?
I think it is safe to say that when we take care of ourselves, our entire life will improve: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual.
And yet we don’t do it. We find every excuse in the book to set it aside. We’ll do it tomorrow. We’ll start on Monday. Oh, it’s almost the end of a month? I’ll start on the 1st. Sound familiar?
“Acting as if” is a powerful tactic you can try to force yourself to begin a new habit of healthy living. Ask yourself what would a healthy person be doing in this situation? Would they carve out time in their morning for exercise? Yes. Would they pack a lunch so not to be tempted by the unhealthy lunch options at the office? Yes. Would they take walking meetings instead of sitting in the office all day? Yes.
Although you may not do this naturally today, ‘acting as if’ will highlight the choices you could be making. And I’m telling you, it works!
And really getting in touch with how you are feeling after a workout or a healthy meal is important. I feel so good when I’m coming back from the gym….and I remind myself of that when I start mentally protesting the next day. (Which I do…pretty much every day). But I know that….
Your health is the foundation of your future.
And only you can create vibrant health for yourself.
And if you choose to make healthy living your number one priority, you will create a better life and a better future for you and those around you. (Because people watch you.) Isn’t that worth a try?
I think this is a good place to remind you (and me): Our habits are creating our life.
Oh, I hate being reminded of that….
But it is the truth. What you do consistently is what shows up in your life: both positive and negative. So this is how you take your power back and take responsibility to create a fantastic life….a fabulous life!
They say nothing important is easy. And I’m not going to try to put icing on this….making yourself and your health your number one priority should be the easiest choice we make. But it’s hard. It takes a re-commitment each and every day. But it’s so worth it.
Do you want a great life? Do you want to laugh and feel good?
Yeah, me too. So choose a healthy You. Choose to live your life at the highest level. Choose to live a life you are proud of and one that you love.
You can Emerge Positive.
Positively,
deanne
