Planning is the Key to Success
One of the first lessons I learned on the wellness journey, is that success in wellness does not just happen. This seems to be common sense, but I found it was not at all how I functioned when it came to wellness, food, and exercise.
Before this journey, I would rarely pack my lunch and if I did, it was a little haphazard what I would put in my lunch bag. I did not plan for physical exercise. I really thought that it would just be natural - go for a walk when you get a break from work, etc. The problem is that we do not get breaks at work where we would choose to incorporate something very new into our schedule...unless we plan.
Planning became the key to success in several ways. I would enter workout times, even taking walks into my phone calendar. Sometimes I would put in several options in one day (e.g., a class at the gym, and a workout time at home) in case one of those did not work out. I also would plan out, the day before, my food for the next day. I would pack my protein shakes, meals, and at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies for snacks. I would set the bag to be ready to just grab the next day.
Planning is easier if you make things readily available. I had my own drawer in the cabinet and the refrigerator of "my" food. The boys had cheezy puffs, crackers, and graham cookies in their drawer, but I didn't go in there when I was hungry (another lesson I will talk about later!). Keep things easy to access and easy to plan.
You also need to be very realistic in planning for the mind and body that you have today, not the one you wish you had. For example, if you have a long, grueling day at work, do not expect that you will come home and want to exercise. One way to combat this at first is to work out in the morning when you have more energy, even if it means less time and getting up a little bit earlier. I promise that you will not regret it. If you have energy when you come home, you can always do something more. But, you will be proud that you already accomplished wellness first thing in the morning and have more time at night when you have less energy.
I also KNOW I'll be tired at work and wanting something fulfilling. Potatoes are a "vegetable" that I enjoy sooooooo sooooooo much. Yes, it would be great to eat 2 cups of raw spinach with diet dressing, but I will not enjoy that when I am stressed, busy, and in need of emotional comfort. Now, a baked potato with salt and some hot sauce (I am strange, I know) makes me pretty happy and is healthy. The lesson here is DO NOT try to plan for perfection. Plan for what will keep you eating healthy and moving towards your goals, in a way that is fulfilling to you RIGHT now. Maybe later, that spinach will be super good and you'll crave it. If you do not, do not force it! Find healthy options that you enjoy and will be consistent with eating.
Bottom line for wellness: PLAN for the mind and body that you have today. Set yourself up for success by making things the easiest that you can in the moment, by putting in the work in advance in preparation and planning.
Before this journey, I would rarely pack my lunch and if I did, it was a little haphazard what I would put in my lunch bag. I did not plan for physical exercise. I really thought that it would just be natural - go for a walk when you get a break from work, etc. The problem is that we do not get breaks at work where we would choose to incorporate something very new into our schedule...unless we plan.
Planning became the key to success in several ways. I would enter workout times, even taking walks into my phone calendar. Sometimes I would put in several options in one day (e.g., a class at the gym, and a workout time at home) in case one of those did not work out. I also would plan out, the day before, my food for the next day. I would pack my protein shakes, meals, and at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies for snacks. I would set the bag to be ready to just grab the next day.
Planning is easier if you make things readily available. I had my own drawer in the cabinet and the refrigerator of "my" food. The boys had cheezy puffs, crackers, and graham cookies in their drawer, but I didn't go in there when I was hungry (another lesson I will talk about later!). Keep things easy to access and easy to plan.
I also KNOW I'll be tired at work and wanting something fulfilling. Potatoes are a "vegetable" that I enjoy sooooooo sooooooo much. Yes, it would be great to eat 2 cups of raw spinach with diet dressing, but I will not enjoy that when I am stressed, busy, and in need of emotional comfort. Now, a baked potato with salt and some hot sauce (I am strange, I know) makes me pretty happy and is healthy. The lesson here is DO NOT try to plan for perfection. Plan for what will keep you eating healthy and moving towards your goals, in a way that is fulfilling to you RIGHT now. Maybe later, that spinach will be super good and you'll crave it. If you do not, do not force it! Find healthy options that you enjoy and will be consistent with eating.
Bottom line for wellness: PLAN for the mind and body that you have today. Set yourself up for success by making things the easiest that you can in the moment, by putting in the work in advance in preparation and planning.
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