Often, the first thing to go when I hit a busy season, or we return from a trip, is exercise. Though I’d also say it’s tied with maintaining a healthy diet. Once our routines are interrupted, Tony and I seem to gravitate more easily toward snack foods and the couch, than our running shoes and a protein packed smoothie. This makes the summer a perfect time for us to slack off when it comes to taking care of ourselves. And, I have a feeling, we’re not alone. But, fall is coming.
Once our routines are interrupted, Tony and I seem to gravitate more easily toward snack foods and the couch, than our running shoes and a protein packed smoothie.
A different energy will soon overtake the places we work. Organizations or activities we may be involved in, will soon ramp up their schedules. And if you and I don’t do something now about how we’re taking care of our bodies, we’re doomed, at least until after the holidays.
Only, taking care of our bodies enables us to survive our busy seasons. By fueling and strengthening them, they make us stronger, energized, and more creative in all areas of our lives. And, what took me years to figure out, is that when I physically take care of my body, I begin to emotionally care for it as well.
Taking care of our bodies enables us to survive our busy seasons. By fueling and strengthening them, they make us stronger, energized, and more creative in all areas of our lives.
Part of why I think we struggle to return to our self care routine when it’s interrupted, is that deep down, we don’t really care for ourselves. In fact, many of us carry shame over how much we eat or have to work to keep the weight off. We have such a complicated relationship with our bodies that eating well and exercise have become a form of punishment, not care.
The day after eating badly at a cookout, many of us force ourselves to eat lettuce all day. Right after the holidays, we put ourselves on strict exercise plans that literally feel like torture. Then, we tell ourselves we are failures when we can’t maintain them. In this way, the very things that are meant to bring life to our bodies, bring discouragement and shame.
In order for us to get better at returning—or beginning—to live lives built on a foundation of self care, we need to change the story we’re telling ourselves about food, exercise, and our bodies. But where do we begin?
In June, I shared some incredible resources for rewiring our brains when it comes to body image. Only, I believe starting this journey can be much simpler than that. You and I can begin getting our bodies ready for fall with something as simple as scrambled eggs.
Yes, you read that correctly. Scrambled eggs.
(If you hate scrambled eggs, please bear with me)
Almost five years ago now, I did something that changed my life. I did the Whole30 challenge. For thirty days I didn’t eat any sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, or basically, any processed foods. But one of my biggest takeaways from that experience was the power of making myself breakfast in the morning.
As grains are not allowed on Whole30, I had to come up with an option other than cereal for breakfast. The most popular option for this program? Eggs. So every morning, I began taking the time to make myself scrambled eggs.
If you’ve ever made them, you know scrambled eggs require patience. If the heat is too high, they’ll become a messed up omelet. If you stir them too much, they’ll be too crumbly. The secret, is to slowly stir them at a low heat to get the texture you want.
As I took the time to make my breakfast I realized, through my actions, I was telling my body that it matters.
That month, I got really good at making scrambled eggs. But something else, much more important happened. One morning, as I took the time to make my breakfast I realized, through my actions, I was telling my body that it matters. Something inside me shifted.
For years, I had believed terrible things about my body. Starting in fourth grade, I began an unending struggle with my weight. And food began to mean comfort or deprivation to my body. But never before was food about taking care of my body, or fueling it. This one little routine of making eggs began to dismantle all of that.
When it comes to maintaining healthy self care routines, many of us are coming up against more than just the busyness of our schedules. We’re coming up against years of believing bad and shameful things about ourselves. But we can find freedom if we will just begin to find small ways of telling our bodies a different story.
We can find freedom if we will just begin to find small ways of telling our bodies a different story.
This month, in preparation for fall, start making yourself breakfast. It doesn’t have to be scrambled eggs. Just make sure it has enough protein and nutrients to get you through to lunch.
When was the last time you made yourself breakfast?
What is the story you are telling your body with your actions?
Are you in the midst of making a decision? Contemplating a life change? If so, you may be interested in my FREE Making Changes Checklist that I give to all my email friends. Want your free copy? subscribe here.
