Yea! A new year begins. What will it hold? What will you make happen this year? So, this post is a bit different than my normal posts. I know I usually give you an awesome, delicious, nutritious recipe (and there will be plenty of those to come). But, as I continue on my path to become a nutritionist, (I’m in the home-stretch of my courses!), I’m realizing more and more that so much of improved nutrition is not really at all about the food itself, but about the obstacles that prevent you from pursuing what you already know to be best. I don’t think there’s anyone out there that honestly doesn’t believe exercise is good for them, or who would argue that vegetables are a waste of time and doughnuts are where it’s at. The more I talk with people about nutrition and health, one of the top reasons people don’t cook homemade meals, prepare nutritious options, etc. is because of time.
Between getting to work, taking care of the family, going grocery shopping, packing lunches, checking homework, walking the dog, doing the laundry…the list goes on and on…trying to figure out how to make (and clean up after!) a meal can seem nearly impossible. So, this post is about overcoming obstacles, because the best New Year’s resolutions, the best health intentions, they can all be derailed if you don’t know how to spot the obstacles and surmount them.
Now, I by no means want to suggest that I “know” all the obstacles or don’t fall prey to a number of bumps of my own. Life, nutrition, health…it’s all a work in progress. But preparing, planning, and taking action; you might be able to put some of those obstacles behind you! Here are just two starting places that have worked for me; perhaps they’ll help you start climbing those hills, or at least making them more like molehills and less like mountains.
1)Get organized. Don’t say you “will” workout…schedule it. Write it down, find an exercise buddy, tell yourself that you’re going for a run, a 3-mile run at 6am tomorrow. Making plans, setting a schedule, it’s not a punishment, it’s your friend! Your support! You wouldn’t build a house without a plan, doesn’t your life deserve the same consideration?
2) Prioritize. Some things seem so desperately important, but in reality, they are mostly distractions from the life you really want to be living. I’m going to throw some major cliché’s and such your way, but they became that because they probably have a good part of truth to them. Don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Go big, or go home. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present; yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. The point? If your health and happiness aren’t worth your time, energy, and attention, what really is?
I recently implemented a new little “routine” to our household. While both my husband and I really want to keep our house organized and clean, sometimes it feels like there’s just too much to do and too few hours in the day. So, I made, printed out, and posted a cleaning chart. Granted, we’ve only implemented it for a few days, but so far, it’s awesome! Seriously, I feel more organized, the house is clean, the chores feel more manageable…I actually look forward to completing the “chore of the day”. In case you’re interested, I’ve attached the document here. Make it your own, for what suits your family. Or find a totally different one. The thing is, when you start to feel more organized, more in charge of your life, new challenges seem more manageable, more achievable. Take charge, whether it be of your exercise, your nutrition, you house-cleaning – just take one step forward towards the life and you that you want. You’re an amazing work-in-progress, enjoy the journey, don’t worry so much about the destination.
Now, I by no means want to suggest that I “know” all the obstacles or don’t fall prey to a number of bumps of my own. Life, nutrition, health…it’s all a work in progress. But preparing, planning, and taking action; you might be able to put some of those obstacles behind you! Here are just two starting places that have worked for me; perhaps they’ll help you start climbing those hills, or at least making them more like molehills and less like mountains.
1)Get organized. Don’t say you “will” workout…schedule it. Write it down, find an exercise buddy, tell yourself that you’re going for a run, a 3-mile run at 6am tomorrow. Making plans, setting a schedule, it’s not a punishment, it’s your friend! Your support! You wouldn’t build a house without a plan, doesn’t your life deserve the same consideration?
2) Prioritize. Some things seem so desperately important, but in reality, they are mostly distractions from the life you really want to be living. I’m going to throw some major cliché’s and such your way, but they became that because they probably have a good part of truth to them. Don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Go big, or go home. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present; yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. The point? If your health and happiness aren’t worth your time, energy, and attention, what really is?
I recently implemented a new little “routine” to our household. While both my husband and I really want to keep our house organized and clean, sometimes it feels like there’s just too much to do and too few hours in the day. So, I made, printed out, and posted a cleaning chart. Granted, we’ve only implemented it for a few days, but so far, it’s awesome! Seriously, I feel more organized, the house is clean, the chores feel more manageable…I actually look forward to completing the “chore of the day”. In case you’re interested, I’ve attached the document here. Make it your own, for what suits your family. Or find a totally different one. The thing is, when you start to feel more organized, more in charge of your life, new challenges seem more manageable, more achievable. Take charge, whether it be of your exercise, your nutrition, you house-cleaning – just take one step forward towards the life and you that you want. You’re an amazing work-in-progress, enjoy the journey, don’t worry so much about the destination.
