Every time I’m writing my blog posts I always try to give advice and tips from my own past experiences. However we all know life happens and sometimes it gets a bit hard to practice what we preach.
The main reason why I decided to write this blog is that for the past month or so I’ve been finding it quite difficult to keep fully on track. I’m staying up late – not getting enough sleep, no meditation, eating out a lot more often than I’d like to and just a quick workouts here and there. Except my own dance classes, my workouts aren’t really consistent. As I type this, I’m sitting in The Happy Pear Cafe in Shoreline Gym, eating their yummy porridge and drinking my large latte. I do this at least three times a week for the past month and even though I’m here and the gym is only a few stairs away, I still find it hard to get myself up there and do my workout. I sit here and I work on my business.
Now and then when the life get’s in the way, when we overload ourselves with lots of work or simply when something in life doesn’t go the way we want it to go, we tend to neglect our lifestyle of healthy eating and regular exercise. It happens to nearly everyone and it doesn’t make you a failure. If anything, it makes you a human and it’s ok as long as you can recognise it, make positive changes and get back on track again.
I wrote this blog for anyone who would like a little kick in the right direction.
As I mentioned above, I haven’t been living the healthiest lifestyle for about a month. Last week I sat down and I decided to make a plan so I can change it and slowly but surely get back on the wagon. With only five weeks to Christmas, I have decided I’m going to take on a Yoga Challenge (30 days of YOGA) with two amazing teachers Aisling and Casey at Yoga Nest Studio in Kilcoole.
What does the challenge consist of?
I have to take a yoga class every single day. Yes 30 classes in 30 days. Even though it sounds like a lot, I know myself and how I work. When I sign up and take on a challenge like this, I AM IN. I will always make sure I get to the class no matter what. For me it’s a great motivation that I need right now. And the bonus is, I love yoga and it’s benefits. I’m very excited to share this journey with you all so I will write a whole blog about it when I complete the whole 30 days.
I only started it on Wednesday (five days ago) so I’m still finding it sometimes mentally challenging to get to the class when it gets dark and I’m comfy at home but once I’m there I just feel so good. I always leave the class feeling great.
It’s the same with everything, once you get into a regular exercise and healthy eating regime, you start to feel better about yourself and that feeling is addictive. Once you feel it, you then chase it – you crave exercising more, making better diet decisions and just taking better care of your body in general. It’s all about that healthy balance though.
I am a strong believer that there shouldn’t be a fad diet, complete detox or total deprivation.
In my opinion it should all be about small everyday healthy changes and choices that are going to help to make you eat better, have more energy and just feel a whole lot healthier.
Health is the result of a number of different factors including our mental, emotional, and social well-being. I don’t think it’s just about our ability to eat perfectly according to plan.
Here are my eight main tips to help you get on track:
1. PLAN, SCHEDULE & PREPARE
Sometimes you can get by without it but it is planning that helps me to stay on track. It helps me use the time much more effectively when I plan my day. I always do it the night before. I write a simple bullet point list of ‘to do’ things for the next day, which makes me feel not just more organised but also more relaxed knowing I’m ready for the day.
2. BE INSPIRED
Find blogs, programmes and other sources of inspiration to help you get back on track. I find inspiration being one of the most helpful things to give me that little kick I sometimes need.
3. SET YOUR GOALS
“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going” – Earl Nightingale
4. BE ACTIVE EVERY DAY
One class a week or even two classes a week are a great way to stay active, but I believe it’s important to be active every day. You don’t have to go to the gym and kill it for over an hour on a daily basis. There are so many more options, you can go for a quick run or swim or to your dance or yoga class. Or even just a walk with your dog. Being active is so much more than just the gym and I think the key is consistency and diversity.
5. CREATE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD & DRINK A LOT OF WATER
Same as with everything else, food is not just black and white. There is no good and bad food. There are only consistent choices and you don’t have to cut things completely out of your diet and never eat the things you enjoy again. For me it doesn’t make sense. Especially because we wouldn’t be able to keep up with that long term.
In my opinion getting healthy and losing weight is about creating a healthy relationship with food, not the other way around.
And it’s also important to drink at least two litres of water.
“To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life”- William Londen
6. GET SOME ‘YOU TIME’ EVERY DAY
Always make sure you get some time in a day to do just YOU. We sometimes forget how important it is and honestly, it makes such a big difference. Spend that time whatever way you like, whether its meditation, reading your favourite book, listening to music, having a nice quiet cup of tea, go for a walk or a jog or even for a mani pedi. Just make sure those moments are with just you. Without any unnecessary distractions – just you and your thoughts.
“Your body needs rest in order to make progress” – Takacs
7. BE POSITIVE
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” – Maya Angelou. Try and always choose a positive and cheerful attitude and see how your world changes for the better. People are drawn to those with a sunny positive vibe.
I’m not saying that you can’t feel emotions, but if you try and choose to see the bright side, the hidden blessings, the lessons and the opportunities, then you will not be so easily swayed by things that happen.
8. GO TO BED EARLIER
An hour before bed, turn off your phone and have a book in hand to read till you sleep – to be honest this is where I fail most of the time and it’s something I really need and genuinely want to change. Even when I manage to get to bed early, I always end up being on my phone for hours and go to sleep too late. So I have decided to turn off my phone an hour before I go to bed and see how I get on. It’s a bed habit I need to break.
“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise” – Benjamin Franklin
Hope it helps anyone who needs a little push and also if you have any tips that help you getting back on track please make sure you let me know.
Thank you,
Vicky x
Vicky's Not-So-Secret Diary 