Tag Archive for: health

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!”

Healthy Habits for Fall in Merritt BC

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

30 Day Exercise 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.

Creating Healthy Expectations in the Nicola Valley

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

Gym in Merritt BC

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!

Delicious and nutritious

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

Green Goddess Salad

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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Considering Participating in Movember in Merritt?

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Movember Musings from a Goatee Greenhorn

 

I remember hearing about Movember in Merritt BC. Some called it “No Shave November”.  However, back in high school I thought it was an awful idea. No, I don’t mean the millions upon millions of dollars in charity raised each year for vital causes like mental health and cancer treatment! I just meant that I was a scraggly teenager. I had inadvertently participated in every previous Movember without much to show for it. But times have changed.

Wiser Movember in Merritt

I’m a twenty something year old man now. I have my own place and I drive around in a responsible midsize sedan.  Perhaps most surprisingly, after a recent camping trip when I forgot my shaving kit, I looked in the rearview mirror as I got on the highway back home and decided I had begun my clumsy foray into the world of ‘stache ownership. Therefore, I had to decide? Was I in or out on this ‘stache movement? 

My Movember in Merritt

While I can’t say that my newfound crumb catcher is a result of a Movember pledge – this was more of a mid-September thing. The convenient thing about being early is that I can pass some potentially life-saving advice. Advice passed down to any readers who might be considering, or already well on their way through a no-shave challenge. Without further ado, here’s the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of participating in Movember’s most popular campaign, a month without shaving.

 

merritt movember blog intro picture

I got this nice picture while out camping. Let us know if you’d like to hear more about this spot!

The Good: New (and Bizarre) Compliments

I was lucky enough to get by the most awkward stages of stache development. Hiding  in the woods for nearly a week will do the job. If you’re not able to isolate from society for 3-6 days and let the “did your shaver break or are you keeping that?” days roll by that way, just try to tough it out! You’re doing this for charity and to look more like Chris Hemsworth; both very honourable causes. 

No-One Recognizes You After No-Shave

Anyway, regardless of how long it takes you to grow your ideal facial hair. Do not worry, and especially during these bizarre COVID times, friends and acquaintances will be seeing the new look for the first time anyway. We tend to recognize people by their faces, so significantly changing up that familiar face has a way of getting people to really tune in; what I’m trying to say is that you were always a handsome son of a gun – they’re just noticing it more!

merritt movember blog post camping

I had gone a few days without shaving by this picture. Luckily I got to spend those days outdoors!

The Bad: Patches, Invisible Hairs, and More

I was fortunate enough to have spent the formative days of my goatee journey toasting up marshmallows and reading by the campfire. However, once I got back to work, I realized just how out of sorts the whole thing was panning out. While I was gunning for a tidy, definition building goatee, I was a bit more Inigo Montoya and a bit less Walter White. There’s a few things going on here. Therefore it is important to note any burgeoning beard is going to come with a handful of patchy and uneven spots. And yes, these do eventually fill in! Perhaps more interesting however, is the breadth of colour that the average mustache is likely to represent.  

Reality

In real life, you’re liable to see your regular hair colour, about three or four shades on either side of it, gray(!), black and “invisible hairs”.  This mix-match of colour is easily remedied in the movies with a little beard dye. If the colour does not suit the cause then you can deal with it, either by taking matters into your own hands or consulting a pro. Local beauty salon TC Hair & Medspa offers an intriguing one hour long beard colouring service that’s likely to assuage even the most picky among us. Check them out and tell us how it goes!

The Ugly: Remember Those Marshmallows I Mentioned?

As you might have surmised by the title of this section, you’re going to be sharing your food from now on out. In other words the good news is you’ve got a tea strainer with you wherever you go! The bad news is, it’s also a soup strainer, crumb catcher, marshmallow shredder, and a few other things I won’t get into. However, you can style your stache and rein it in to prevent some of this. Although long term you’re going to need to learn to keep on top of this new problem. I’m serious about this one. There’s an entire YouTube channel online dedicated to keeping food out of the face furniture. In addition,  you’re going to eat a little bit of mustache hair. Sorry. At least you know all those famous bearded celebrities are, too!

In Conclusion

There we have it – everything you probably never wanted to know about Movember participation. Jokes aside, participating in a fundraiser challenge or even just a show of solidarity like this is a very commendable endeavor. This cause has been supported in many different and interesting ways by the Movember Foundation since it’s inception and we’re lucky to have a challenge on our hands that is arguably even more do-able in the current COVID situation. Consequently, and unfortunately,  other raffles, runs, and competitions have had to take the year off

Movember in Merritt BC

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COVID-19 IN MERRITT BC

HOW TO SELF ISOLATE IN STYLE

Fun Things To Do in Merritt To Break the Boredom
 

The COVID-19 in Merritt BC has citizens embracing the directives from our health authorities.  For my wife and myself this means self isolating ourselves. We are not quarantined, so we are able to go out for essential services such as groceries once a week or so.

GETTING THINGS DONE

  1. Converting CD’s

COVID-19 in Merritt BC

Gathering the materials

One of the nice things about self isolating during COVID-19 is that you now have time to tackle some jobs that you have been putting off because other things take you away from these tasks.  For example, I have wanted to convert my CD’s to digital and store them online. Ditto goes with my photos as well.

However, my procrastination has caused me some grief because technology has moved on and my computer does not have a CD drive.  To solve this problem I resurrected my old computer that did have the necessary drive to carry out this task.  This machine was extremely slow and was several releases of Windows 10 behind the times.  Despite these problems I persevered and the task was completed. 

2. Resurrecting the craft room 

We have a room downstairs that was originally going to be our craft room but overtime it became a storage room.  We had luggage, Christmas decorations, boxes of memorabilia and all kinds of other stuff which left no space to actually do any crafts.  This project is massive and is therefore still on going.

Emptying the storage room

Emptying the storage room

Putting the Craft Room back together

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Spring Cleaning in Merritt

What better time is there for tackling those cleaning exercises than when you can’t go anywhere.

Getting ‘er done

4.  Yard Work

Thatching the grass

The early Spring is a great time to get a jump on your gardening chores.  Things such as clearing out the winter die off, pruning, weeding and de-thatching.  The rewards will show within weeks.

Not all self isolation activities during COVID-19 is work!

1. Baking

This is one activity that is lots of fun and has great rewards when finished.  I myself am not a great baker but I can whip  up a great plate of Rice Krispy squares.  This time I added some crushed candy cane to add a little tasty addition to the recipe.

Rice Krispy Squares

Chili and Hamburger Soup

“I love food”-Shirley

My wife is a much better cook than I am.  She whipped up some of our favourite dishes, hamburger soup and Chili.

2.  Reading

Reading is one of my favourite things to do any time.  However with the COVID-19 in Merritt BC we have more time for reading.  I see one problem looming in the near future and that is the library is closed and so are the thrift stores that I get my reading supply from.  I guess I will have to step into the new age and get my books online.

Reading time

3.  Walking

Since we are not quarantined we can go out for walks.  There generally is no one  around but if we do meet someone we keep our separation of 2 metres.  It’s a great time for walking as Spring is beginning to show up everywhere.  We could use many of the trails around our house but it is tic season and so we are keeping away from these areas for now.

Out for a walk

4.  Games

Games are a big part of our life so it is fitting that we spend time doing this. We play card games and board games but not computer games.  The only downside is that we love to play games with our friends and that just doesn’t work during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Playing Canasta

This is serious

The Covid-19 in Merritt, BC is a serious matter.  There are things to remember  such as the pandemic will end, especially if we follow the advise of our National, Provincial and Community Governments.  There are many ways to keep in touch using such things as FACETIME and other equivalent programs or, even try,  the old fashion way by using the phone. 

COVID-19 Important Links

COVID 19 in Merritt BC

British Columbia COVID-19

Canada COVID-19

BE SAFE

COVID-19 IN MERRITT BC

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