Health Check-In

Hello friends and welcome to our Wednesday Health Check-In!

The Bessette’s are enjoying a week of more “normal”. A sweet friend over the weekend asked me what does normal really mean anyway?? Good point….but I guess I mean we are not in the hospital and in turn required to do things like go to work and laundry. The odd thing is this week is just a little stop on the track to some new things heading our way. Life is about to change and we will have yet again another new normal. This means the health journey gets a chance to really be integrated into a new phase of life. And the best chance for a dedication to health, is to make it part of everyday life - HOORAY!

Switching gears from hospital is hard. You go from lots of down time, waiting, not really planning, and trying to sleep/eat when and how you can….to the real world where you need to use the hours you have to try and get your to dos done, run your errands, work, eat and maybe grab just a little bit of sleep. The shift is always welcomed, but also an adjustment. This week presented some unplanned events and some changes as the week has gone on….but the key has been to jump back in and do our best.

Let’s break it down:

EXERCISE

Last week I discussed my two largest goals for exercise: 1. just do it and 2. be positive. I am happy to say that I have ben doing something….maybe not it - running - but grabbing the dog for a walk, choosing to take the stairs, focusing on getting exercise where I can has been a priority and I am pretty happy about it. Once we get into a better long term routine (here’s hoping that is very soon!!!), I will then ADD running. Mixing that with my variety of walks and little exercise efforts throughout the day, I am bound to keep breathing deeper, feeling my muscles, and releasing those much needed endorphins.

Goal 2 - be positive….positive about doing it, positive about the journey, positive about my future. In some ways that has been harder. Isn’t that amazing…it is such a mental game?? I have had to consciously stop myself from being sarcastic about my working out or let my mind spiral into how I will never be a runner, I will never feel fit, I will never achieve my goals because I am still not sticking to my 100% schedule. However, I have been aware of it, trying to address it, and when I want to get down on myself - instead I try and turn it to excitement. The chance to really run, to really test my will is there. I want it so bad that I am sad it has not happened….so if I keep trying I will do it!

Is this perfect ….no. Is this progress - yes. The kind of progress I want or expect to see from myself, not quite….but hey its not Cheetos no the couch, right? P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S

DIET

Last week I shared with you my family’s secret back up plan - Juice Plus, the whole food nutritional product we used to help bridge the gap between what we are eating and what we should be eating - and my favorite healthy activity - H2O! I love me some water….and that has only increased this week. Thanks to some awesome friends and my favorite personalized camelback water bottles…I am just logging the liters. As fas as Juice Plus it is part of my life, but if I am being 100% honest, I am good about it 80% of the time (SORRY MOM!!!). But being on a health journey - how can I not literally not just take a capsule to consume some of the healthiest foods out there - so I am being religious about it. It has really helped to make my energy better and keep me healthy under a stressful time.

So what else am I doing? As I have shared my diet never used to be a concern for looking or feeling a certain way….but those days are gone-and truthfully I know better now. But as much as I know and as much as a crave change - diving into a vegetarian world or green smoothie diet just isn’t me. I like variety and taste and the experience of food. I love my Starbucks and wine! Being restricted or crazed about my food intake makes me grumpy!! And if the exercise journey is teaching me anything, its about being positive to get results- I am realizing I need to apply that to food too.

In the same way I know I love variety and food is such a fun theme in my world - I also realize that if I leave it up to chance, I almost always choose incorrectly. If I plan to just “grab something on the go” it is never a salad or smoothie….and it often involves fries. So what is the solution - PLAN AHEAD (disclosure: this may also be because I feel better when I plan…PERIOD). When I think ahead of time, when I pack my lunch or plan my dinners - I will eat healthier than if I will just “see what happens” and end up with take out in front of me. So this week I made it to the grocery store - step one. The food I bought is easy, accessible and sounds good - step two. And what is step three? Improve the food conversation. Say what? I am eating when I am hungry, waiting a few minutes before going for seconds and just trying to listen to what I really need to fill up versus what my tastebuds want.

What is the best secret weapon I have at my disposal for ease of food that meets the health and taste requirements? Juice Plus also has complete power for shakes. This stuff is really awesome and although I am the kind of person that prefers to actually eat something, I have come to really appreciate the Complete shakes. And they taste good - that combo has taken me pretty far in using these for lunch most days. No thinking involved and just tons of health to be had!

We are still settling back in at home…but I am happy to say I have all the good food choices, my Juice Plus and my water….being able to meet the need is a huge step to cleaning up the diet.

Until next week….keep on going!!