HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL
CREATING HEALTHY EXPECTATIONS
30-DAY CHALLENGE FOR GREAT HEALTH
Healthy Habits for Fall – Just as I’d suspect, I’m rolling into another Nicola Valley November without a plan in place—healthy or otherwise. Flying back to Merritt BC from Italy this summer, I had all the best-laid intentions. Meanwhile, my fantasy dream life took a hiatus as real-life chaos slipped in again. Oh well—at least the comfort zone is exactly that “comfortable.”
CREATING HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL
“Tell me again, would you like to pay for 6-month upfront or go on a month-to-month plan?” I find myself standing in front of the reception desk in the expansive room with a large number of workout machines. That is to say, in the space of my 10-minute automatic car wash, my mind had gone from “let’s get an ice cream cone!” to “let’s create healthy habits for Fall!”
Blending soups and greens for extra nutrition! || Photo Credit: Tia Delaney
30-DAY CHALLENGE FOR GREAT HEALTH
Subsequently, I had just unknowingly started a 30-day health plan. The story of my life. Impulse control = 0. Shiny new project = 1. However, this time the shiny new project was…me?! Most importantly, I was about to launch the New-to-You spiritually, emotionally, and all-around physically aligned model of this beautifully being—whoop whoop, get it!
YOU ARE PERFECT—JUST AS YOU ARE
Okay, so let’s get some things straight. Jumping into new habits and expectations for our lives is “the norm” in most humans’ lives. We gravitate to creature comforts and backslide on our goals, time and time again. But, there is one big exception—we forget we are entirely within our means to stay just as we are…that’s okay too!
COUNT DOWN TO THE NEW YOU
In my opinion, I am amazed by the people who can keep up a determined pace and fast-track their goals. I watch spellbound as they balance their schedules with seeming ease as I, speaking from experience, have a shall we say, “relaxed view” of daily life. Impulse guides the way, so taking the scenic route to complete tasks is my natural course of action.
A BRAND NEW VIEW ON CREATING HEALTHY EXPECTATIONS
Most importantly, I no longer penalize myself for “cheat meals” or “falling off the wagon.” However, creating healthy habits for Fall is truly only ONE action away. In speaking with my coach she shared this gem: “When in doubt–take an action!” I get to put away all my self-doubt and negativity I feel in failing (Again!), and just Be in Action. Coaches are a great way to keep accountability!
30-Day Challenge Accepted
Adding a dash of ‘Sparkle’ to my smoothie! || Photo Credit: Tia Delaney
BRING ON THE HUMOUR
Likewise, since I’ve decided I’m already carrying around a few extra pounds…there’s no more room for extra baggage too. Subsequently, as a Self Proclaimed Self-Love Guru, ahem, I find the only way I follow through for myself is if I’m having Fun. No FUN? No ME.
SIMPLY PUT—YOU ARE ROYALTY
Firstly, when was the last time you intentionally gave yourself a treat? Secondly, who was the last person you made laugh? Thirdly, how many “some day-one day” tasks do you have taking up precious brain cell storage? If these don’t seem like simple questions, try writing a bullet list on “How I value my time…”
BREAKING THROUGH TO A HEALTHIER YOU
Above all, you know what’s best for you. Taking on this mission, Healthy Habits for Fall, has me trying new things that I’ve often been hard-pressed to keep up with at all. Perhaps it’s time for you to break out the Mental Checklist and see how many Fabulous Fall activities you have already completed without being aware! Isn’t it brilliant, when we find out how absolutely brilliant we are?
GETTING IT “WRITE”
Like Blog writing…l adore putting pen to paper, yet the structure of writing consistently is like an albatross around my neck. Until I flip it on its head and think…”Wow, how fun to share my words with the world!” Then “BOOM” the words fly to the page—and every day I commit—I’m that much closer to establishing this healthy career goal while enjoying all the Nicola Valley has to offer.
When Smoothie Bowls take on a life of their own! || Photo Credit: Tia Delaney
ONLY YOU GET TO SAY—“I AM IN”
In other words, creating these Healthy Habits for Fall are like the first time I ate sushi. I wasn’t a fan of the slimy texture of raw fish, yet with time, I discovered how each of the layers bring out a new delicious flavor. Choosing where to place a priority or value depends on my “lens” or view of life.
I SAY I AM IN CONTROL
When I live by the seat of my pants—I get chaos, instability, and spontaneity. Spontaneity is a value of mine…so, I’m getting 1 out of 3 with that lifestyle context. However, when I live intentionally—I get balance, peace, and simplicity. Peace being my no. 1 value… so I also get 1 out of 3 with this context.
LIVE 1% BETTER RULE
Most importantly, here’s how I have learned to make life 1% better…I make choices that are simple for me to execute. For example, I buy a Gym Membership. Now I show myself I’m committing to my health—time to make a plan I can commit to. Planning to hit the gym 5 days per week for 1 hour at a time is like asking for $1M to fall in my lap. Not likely to happen.
REALITY VERSUS FANTASY
Getting there is ALL the battle! || Photo Credit: Tia Delaney
In the same vein, I’ll aim to stop by the gym every day, and stay for 1-5 min. I can stay as long as I like as the goal is to create the habit or expectation to “show up” to the gym. Which is usually my largest hurdle, as when I’m there—I’m ready to Goooooo!
HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL…THAT STICK
If you are anything like me, you’re ready to throw in the towel at week 3. The newness has worn off, those chocolate sweets are looking delectable all over again…and the most damning, the number on the scale hardly moved so, “what the heck!” Similarly, your friends want you to go out, and you’re tired of cooking extra meals for yourself and your kids.
SMART GOALS AND FINDING TIME
I’ve heard it said so many times…find time for yourself. Love yourself. Choose yourself. Likewise, I’ve been a Party-Starter raising the roof and slinging this same positive rose-colored optimism. Yet, how do we actually make it happen? Come on down, and discover how you will build those healthy habits for Fall weather, and keep them pushing into Spring!
THE $10M ANSWER
Yes, even in our questions and answers we’ve experience inflation…so as you’d expect the answer to the $1M Question has gone up to $10M. You’ll agree, it’s only fitting as everything else in our life has gone up exponentially. But I digress, the answer you seek lies within young padawan…oops wrong script…but it does lie in You.
TAKING THAT DEEP DIVE INTO HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL
Your actions and inactions are the sum total of you. As a result, me or you taking responsibility for what is out of sync in our lives is not actually a boiling pot of shame, guilt, and “shoulda-coulda-woulda’s.” It’s a place to discover why we are resisting “going to work” on a part of our lives that we are not completely over the moon about. This is the “juice” for establishing successful and healthy habits for Fall and Winter months!
FINDING THE GOLD
However, striking a healthy balance between meditation queen and terrified solo traveler, I had 29 days to get lost in my own head. Not everyone has this privilege, so here are the nuggets of “Gold” I found helpful that may bring you success in planning healthy habits for Fall and honouring your goals.
Firstly, if my body, heart, mind, and soul have to flow—everything is possible.
BUSTING DIET MYTHS
Secondly, my body has a plan—lean into it.
I’ll eat when need it. I will also eat when I’m not sure what else to do. Then I’ll eat when my mind is bored or feeling anxious. Plus I eat for pleasure. But, denying my body food will only prolong the inevitable. So I have now given myself permission to be a “foodie”…no foods are off limits, ever!
Nutritious Salad + Tuna Melt || Photo Credit: Tia Delaney
CREATING CONSISTENCY AND HEALTHY HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL
Thirdly, a creative mind is my happy place.
Most importantly, my mindset creates the space for my body to feel safe, content, and at ease. If I have an expectation that is too large, that’s a breeding ground for disappointment. For instance, cooking a healthy meal and hitting the gym all in one day, will lead me to disaster. I know from experience that when I am starting out again, “slow and steady” progress creates long-lasting results.
AFFIRMATIONS AND POSITIVITY
Time and time again I have taken the advice of others instead of trusting my inner voice. Even when that voice says, “I can’t do it,” I no longer try to change it with seemingly helpful toxic positivity or Band-aid affirmations. Instead, I add a caveat at the end. “I can’t do it right now, but I’m a work in progress, and in time I’ll find a way.”
HAPPINESS IS IN SEASON
Try it out—all of a sudden that item on your list may not seem so heavy to lift.
All unrealistic expectations are simply putting your happiness on hold. It’s time to give up the old ideas that “practice makes perfect” and “just do it” will sustain the day when you’ve planted one foot in a mud puddle, spilled pumpkin spice latte on your shirt, and are 5-minutes late due to sleep deprivation. You are allowed to be a “work in progress.” Moreover, please don’t throw your plan to build healthy habits for Fall out the window!
I CHALLENGE YOU TO CREATE HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL
Lettuce Wraps are my powerhouse Go To! || Photo Credit: Tia Delaney
Raising a toast to you—the CEO of your life, the “Big Kahuna”, the one who matters most. Whatever you think self-love is…here’s the expanded version. Committing to yourself for 30-days is a recipe for a chef’s kiss to your body, a head nod to your mind, and a warm fuzzy hug for your heart.
Imagine just how utterly delighted your soul will feel…absolute bliss!
A YEAR OF REFLECTION
Instead of marking time on Netflix and mindless scrolling—look back to one year ago. To clarify, look at the exact month and date. How have you grown? How have you stayed the same? Can you happily picture yourself doing exactly what you’re doing now, no richer, no poorer, no happier, no sadder, no bigger, no smaller?
WELCOME TO YOUR NEXT LEVEL
If so—you’ve unlocked level one. Being content with what is—so you can find a way to move forward without angst.
If not—you may be still resisting letting life be what it is. Try on a new pair of lenses…shift that paradigm. After all, it’s not about messing with perfection, it’s about discovering what you can do and that the current model of you is actually pretty great!
HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL IN MERRITT BC
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