A Healthier You? Where to Begin on Your Wellness Journey
Starting a health and wellness journey can be daunting. Often, we know we need to make changes, but soon find it overwhelming and get stuck trying to make ALL the changes at once. A quick browse of social media wellness pages can leave you feeling bombarded with infinite possibilities, there’s products like shakes, vitamins, packaged meals, new exercise programs, and enough nutritional information to make your head spin. All of this can leave us on information overload and confused about where to start and what will work best.
When I started my wellness journey, I had just reached 50. I had lived a rather healthy life up until that point, but suddenly my body seemed to have plans of its own. My normal healthy diet suddenly left me fighting extra pounds and feeling tired and sluggish. My regular exercise program left my joints hurting and results slowed way down. My skin became dry and itchy, getting restful sleep became a battle, my energy was low, and my mood was even lower. Add in those pesky hormonal changes, and I literally thought I was going to lose my mind; Something had to change!
As a nutritionist, I looked first to my diet. I thought I’d always eaten super healthy, but after keeping a food diary for a few weeks, realized that I was consuming way too much sugar (OK, it was WINE, lol, but sugar nonetheless!) Sugar consumption causes a myriad of negative issues in the body including weight gain, inflammation, mood swings and it really messes with your hormones. My first “step” in my journey was to reduce, then cut sugar from my daily diet. The results were super-fast and inspiring, and I was ready to take the next step rather quickly as I was already feeling MUCH better in about a week! My second step was changing up my exercise program. My supercharged cardio was replaced with gentle Pilates, a bit of yoga, walking, and basic strength training with light weights. Within about 5-6 weeks, I saw and felt the difference in my body-and my energy level. Just these two small changes to my life left me feeling like a different person! I was excited and ready to make new changes and see how fabulous I could feel!
Starting your health and wellness journey doesn’t have to be daunting-you don’t need to make ALL the changes overnight-in fact, studies prove that taking small steps and building on to them as you feel stronger, healthier, and happier is the way to success!
Ready to start (or restart) your journey to a more amazing, energetic, happier YOU? Here’s some nudges to help you be successful, along with some past blog post links for added info and ideas!
~Start with Small Steps: Begin by introducing small, achievable changes to your daily routine. For example, you could start with a short morning stretch, drinking more water throughout the day, or setting aside a few minutes for mindfulness or deep breathing exercises. Set reminders on your phone to help create these habits.
~Set Goals: Establish specific wellness goals that are realistic and measurable. Whether it's increasing your daily steps, improving your sleep quality, or reducing stress, having clear goals can provide direction and motivation. Set one goal at a time to keep from being overwhelmed.
~Create a Routine: Incorporate wellness habits into your daily routine. Set specific times for activities like exercise, meal preparation, self-care, and relaxation. Consistency and structure can help make wellness habits feel more natural and automatic. If you feel that your schedule is already full-try “habit bundling” march out some extra steps while on a phone call, spend a few minutes doing some yoga stretches instead of scrolling your phone before bed, do an exercise routine while binging your favorite show.
~Prioritize Self-Care: Make self-care a priority by allocating time for activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation. This could include activities like taking a warm bath, reading a book, practicing meditation, or enjoying a hobby that brings you joy. Show yourself some love!
~Stay Active: Regular physical activity is essential for overall wellness. Find activities that you enjoy and make them a part of your daily routine. It can be as simple as taking a walk during your lunch break, attending a fitness class, or engaging in home workouts. Ask a friend or family member to join you and keep each other accountable.
~Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your eating habits and make mindful choices. Focus on consuming nutritious whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues and aim for balanced and portion-controlled meals. Need to brush up on the basics of nutrition?
~Get Sufficient Sleep: Prioritize getting enough quality sleep. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and create a sleep-friendly environment. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. And most of all-turn off those electronics!!!
~Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and make it a habit to sip water regularly. Set a reminder on your phone if you have a hard time remembering to drink (I do!) Getting enough water in will absolutely make you feel SO much better!
~Manage Stress: Incorporate stress management techniques into your daily routine. This can include practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling, crafting, spending time in nature, or engaging in activities that help you unwind and relax.
~Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your life. Take a few moments each day to reflect on things you are grateful for, whether it's a small accomplishment, a beautiful moment, or the support of loved ones. Make sure to give yourself props for taking care of YOU!
Incorporating wellness habits into daily life is a journey will absolutely change your life. It's important to be patient and kind to yourself along the way. Start with small steps, be consistent, and celebrate your progress. The rewards to a healthier lifestyle are HUGE! I promise you-making consistent small steps in your overall wellness will be the best thing you’ve even done for yourself.
Are you ready to make these awesome changes in your life but want guidance and motivation from someone that has the education, training, and experience to truly get you where you want to be? If it’s time to put YOU and your health and wellness at the forefront of your life and truly take the best care of YOU-then let’s talk! No pressure, no sales, no products, no gimmicks-just straight up conversation about your goals, your needs, and your questions and concerns about being your healthiest. My life has completely changed for the BEST, and so can yours!
Let’s do it! Contact me:)