I wouldn’t call this week’s wellness post holiday-specific, but based on how much I ate on Thursday for Thanksgiving… it could be! Basically, because of the holidays and how busy with work I am right now, I have gotten really off track with my eating, my exercise, and my general self-care routine. I’ve found that this happens after I travel, too. So I was brainstorming ways that could help me get back on track and figured that you may benefit from this list, too! And, as always, let me know in the comments if there is anything that works for you that I should add to this list.
How To Get Back on Track with Eating, Health, & Exercise
Give yourself a break.
If there is one thing I’ve learned over and over again in therapy, it’s that I am incredibly hard on myself… and I’m sure you are, too. We are all so incredibly hard on ourselves and, really, you just need a break sometimes. If you’re too tired to work out, listen to your body instead of pushing through. I learned that lesson last week after I went to a spin class despite a really terrible night’s sleep. Afterwards, I ended up feeling way too exhausted to even work and had to take a two hour nap. Then I was in a fog for the rest of the day. Moral of the story? I should have listened to my body and rested a bit more.
Get back to the basics.
It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed and guilty about how you’ve gotten off track, but the key is to start small. If you want to get back to eating healthier, start by deleting delivery apps from your phone and stocking the fridge with healthy alternatives. If you want to work out more, schedule a fun class with a friend.
Use the buddy system.
I suck at working out on my own. It’s just something I’ve learned about myself… so I make sure to have a workout buddy. This helps me to stay accountable and also it’s just way more fun. If you struggle to find the motivation to do something and get back on track, try setting up a buddy system with a close friend.
Just start.
I know it sounds so super-simple, but forcing yourself to take the first step ensures that you’ll take additional steps after that. Whether it’s eating healthier, working out, cutting back on drinking or anything else, there is power in that first step toward your goal. Embrace that uncomfortable feeling and use it to power you toward progress and growth.
P.S. you can find even more self care and wellness tips here, including:
