We all know that taking care of our mental health is just as important as looking after our bodies. So getting our thinking right is the first step to making changes and forming new habits.
I regularly talk to women who want to make changes to their overall health. They want to feel better. They want more energy and they want to feel confident.
Often, the hardest part to making a change is getting started. We love to complicate things don’t we! We spend way too much time ‘researching’ the best plan or waiting until ‘this or that’ is aligned.
The truth is, the barriers we put up are often just our way of procrastinating or avoiding something new. Ask yourself, ‘What am I afraid will happen if…’
… I become super fit?
… I am wildly successful?
… I become the healthiest I’ve ever been?
… I put myself first?
Maybe there’s an underlying fear that you’ll become too busy for your family? Or that your friends won’t understand you if you change? Are you worried you’ll have to sacrifice too much to reach the goals?
I find that when you get clear on the deep concerns, you can give yourself a talking to and reassure yourself.
That’s where good quotes and affirmations can help. Here’s a good one to remind ourselves that if we want to have certain things in our lifestyle, we first have to be a certain way.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle.
If we want to have a body that moves easily, then we have to be the type of person who stretches daily.
If we want to reduce inflammation in our bodies then we need to be the type of person who eats well.
We actually have to BE the type of person who HAS what we desire. (Even if we’re not there yet!)
But friends, I do know what it’s like to struggle to find time for myself. I also have days when I feel too tired and when I have too many other demands shouting for my attention! I’m sure you know exactly what I mean!
What if I told you that choosing to take time for yourself actually makes it easier to get all the things done and makes it easier to look after the ones you love.
Here’s what happened this morning in my house.
I had decided to do a 20 minute pilates stretch in the morning before I got into the day. But the distractions are never far away! My daughter is sick with the flu and needs fresh sheets on the bed, the dog is super hyper and needs a run, my son has an assignment due and wants me to look over it and the washing needs to go out!
It’s easy to drop everything for the ones we love. I get it. How hard it was to go into my room and take the time for myself.
But here’s what happened. I felt calmer. I was able to think clearly and get all the jobs done. I feel on top of my game. I have more energy to care for my family and I feel like I’ve respected myself.
I’m telling you the truth. What you focus on is SO important. Your focus will guide your thoughts. Your thoughts create your beliefs, your beliefs influence your feelings, your feelings drive your actions and your actions create habits. Your habits are what shapes your character which ultimately determines your destiny.
(Read that again if you need to, and let it sink in)
“What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind.”
Take some time to journal your thoughts. Get clear on what you want for your life. Write down all your dreams. Think about your relationships, success (and what that looks like to you), your health goals and lifestyle dreams.
Then imagine who the woman is who has these things. What does she do each day? How does she carry herself? What is her character like? How does she show up each day?
Living the healthiest life you possibly can starts with small decisions you can make today. You don’t have to change everything all at once, but make decisions to BE the best version of yourself one day at a time.
Take some time for yourself today and let me know if I can help you get started with a pilates program to follow.
I’m cheering you on!
Beth