All this time I’ve been giving fitness and nutrition advice I’ve tried to write to everyone and be cognizant of so many different schedules and seasons of life. I’ve wanted to give value to you whether you are a young mom with those children all over the place, one who works a full time or part time schedule, and even those in or beginning the empty nest stage of life. The point is that I’ve wanted share what the latest science and trends say, what I’ve struggled with and how I’ve personally managed to find that healthy balance, as well as what I’ve read or seen works for others.
If I’ve been touting the latest workout, giving you exercise tips and encouragement, or sharing a favorite healthy reicpe and you are a nurse on call, or a teacher, or have an office job with long, long hours, I can see you might roll your eyes at me. You are scrambling to get to work, manage your children, feed all those humans in your home, take care of that home, fold the laundry, and somewhere in there make time to exercise and find a way to not order take out three nights a week. You might be thinking that I have no business telling you what you should be doing since I have the opportunity to get to the gym, train clients or lead fitness classes every day of the week. I get that. That is one reason I do try to not come across as that person with no clue of the real world.
If you are wondering about the point of all of this rambling, here it is.
I am back at work in an office most days of the week. Back “lawyering”. Eeeeek! Yes, it’s a little crazy since it has been a REALLY long time since I have worn that hat. (That’s a post for another day (; ). So, the point of this post is to say I’m back in the trenches with you.
So, here’s the deal. My schedule is a little different now. I haven’t given up all of my fitness work, but I am not teaching as many classes during the week, writing here as often (have you even noticed??), and have stepped away from some coaching for now. With any new thing, there’s an adjustment period until you get your groove going, right? I’m kinda in that stage. So, I’m making a plan. I’m big on scheduling, writing it down and doing my best to not “bail on myself”.
Here are some of the things I am doing to stick with my health and fitness goals and just keep this whole healthy lifestyle going strong.
- Make a plan and stick to it.
- Make Sunday afternoons a grocery, and meal plan day. Sunday afternoons I get to the grocery store and prep for three healthy meals for the week. They have to be quick and simple. I’m still cooking a lot off of my Mindful Meals Plan and this helps because it’s simple and effecient. (Shameless plug, I know!) I also make sure I have go to lunches that I can take to the office. If you have followed me on Instastories you have seen I’m still eating my Big Ol’ Salads at lunch – they are just typically at a desk and oftentimes they are packed from home or are pre-made salads from the grocery store. (no excuses)
- Chug lots and lots of water all day every day.
- Focus on good, intentional workouts. So, this, obviously is the biggest change and I’m still tweaking it. So, here’s what I’m doing now:
These days I treat Mondays as an active recovery day since it’s an office day followed by teaching Pilates. (My Mondays used to be teaching all day long so this is a big change) Tuesdays I teach class, work from home, teach yoga. Wednesdays and Fridays I get in early morning short 12 – 15 minute mini workouts (weights, burpees, planks, pushups), Thursdays look a little like Tuesdays as far as teaching and training. Then Saturdays and Sundays will now be good workout days. My plan is to tweak this schedule to add in an early morning full workout at least once a week.
5. Focus, focus, focus on nutrition. I love following my carb controlling way of eating from the Better & Beyond Program. That really hasn’t changed but I do want to make sure I don’t let it slide too much. (I’ve confessed to being an emotional eater so I want to make sure I don’t get tripped up)
6. Make sure I get off my fanny and up from my desk to walk around. Get in as much movement as I can on a daily basis. Stand more, park farther away, take the stairs, walk the dog, stretch before bed, you might even catch me doing squats while I blow dry my hair. You might!
7. Focus on getting in bed and getting good sleep (such a challenge for me!!)
8. Give myself lots and lots of grace over all the things that might not be getting done the way my micro- manager, perfectionist self would have them. This is such a freeing thing, ya’ll! If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it!
Like I said, I’m still tweaking. I look at myself as a constant work in progress. But, I’m here to tell you that if I can do this, you can too. You know I am a firm believer in scheduling your priorities. If it is important to you, you will find the time and a way. Whatever your schedule, whatever your job, you can make healthy, intentional choices that will keep you feeling good, reaching goals and living your own balanced lifestyle.
Check out My Non-Negotiables as they are haven’t changed.
Live Well!
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