I was a bit of a loose unit when I was young. And quite the nutcase when it came to my health and wellbeing. One month I’d be playing ridiculously hard, shaking my booty on the dancefloor, forgetting to eat and smoking for England. The next month I’d be on an extreme diet only eating cabbage and eggs (pong). The next month I’d be on the couch, watching telly, drinking red wine, ordering takeaway and eating giant bags of chips. The next month I’d be doing yoga daily and meditating in silence. Poor body.
These days I hang around far more towards the middle, I’m mostly moderate and mostly Sensible Sally. But I’m not and athlete and am still prone to overindulging with food and enjoying a jolly time with champagne and friends. I just love being with my homies, cooking up a storm and necking the vino. So every now and again I feel a bit bloated and gross and decide it’s time to give my body a bit of a rest. These days for me it’s ALWAYS about nurturing and big love. It’s NEVER about punishment and self-loathing. I’d rather be happy and curvy, than miserable and hating myself.
Here’s what a day-in-the-life of me during Winter Wellness Week looks like:
- Eating 7 + 2 fruit and veg
- Counting calories and sticking to about 1200 (I’m allowed one day to do whatever)
- Drinking 3 litres of water
- Exercising for at least 20 minutes (I find ways to up my incidental exercise, such as catching public transport, or walking to school pickup)
- Avoiding alcohol (I’m allowed one night to get on the sauce)
- Dry brushing before my shower (don’t ask me why)
- Taking my supplements (I remind myself everyday to have my B group multivitamins, zinc and fish oil)
- Being grateful and giving thanks
- Taking at least one #champagnemoments break
The way I see it these day is that it shouldn’t be about anything extreme or anything you know you are going to fail at. Just focus on being kind, loving and bringing good energy to your mind, spirit and body.
I made a downloadable a while ago which you can use as a bit of a checklist. You can download it from this post about a previous Wellness Week.
I have been known to flip flop too lol. For just over three weeks, I have eating my own version of Paleo – no grains/alcohol/processed food/refined sugar. I can’t give up coffee, but have cut down. Offal – no! Basically I am just eating a lot healthier, and suffer with IBS so the no-grains has been great. I feel a lot better than I have for a while, and my joints aren’t as stiff. Less bloated, haven’t weighed myself but I ‘feel’ lighter. I like your plan, sounds do-able. Being kind to ourselves is so important. Love this post, Kathryn x
This is such a fantastic, balanced approach to hitting the reset button on our bodies in a kind, gentle and more regular fashion. Love it! x