Being Intentional??

I have missed my blog! I had a blog post all ready to go a couple of weeks ago as I was sitting in the airport and it just would not post. Technology is so awesome sometimes! I spent a week in Tahiti with my husband...wow, true wellness! Relaxing, reading, eating yummy food and resting. We all need to find ways to do that in our lives. Obviously Tahiti is not a reasonable trip for most of us but there are plenty of local ways to get away with your spouse to reconnect and rest.

I have had some interesting conversations with people lately that have prompted this post. Sometimes I don't realize what is actually driving change in my own self and I was realizing that most if it is intention. We have to be intentional when we make changes. They do not just happen. I have to be intentional everyday with my eating, exercising, organization, etc. Everything in our lives requires intention. The funny thing is, when it comes to making a major healthy life change, we want it to come easy and not have to be intentional.

Have you noticed how unplanned and unintentional behavior just causes us to spin our wheels and, often, make poor choices? My husband and I had a long conversation about this on our trip. We discussed the organizational systems in our house . . . mostly what is not working. Much of the problem is lack of intention and planning. The amount of time, energy and money we would save by planning meals weekly is huge! Though, how often do we take the time to sit down and plan those meals? I know we are horrible about it. We know the problem and yet we still continue the poor pattern. It is ridiculous too because we both know how incredibly miserable it makes us! We are scrambling at the last minute, eating the same things we are bored with, and causing more chaos in an already chaotic household! If we would simply choose to be intentional in our planning, all this ridiculousness would be saved! Funny that we keep doing something that is harder in the long run.

Thankfully, we took the time to discuss this. One of the great benefits to being away from the chaos and together in a relaxed environment...you can have productive conversations! We both are committed to being intentional in our meal planning, organization (back to a paper calendar for the family), etc. I am going to create a system when everyone in the house can see the meals for the week, calendar of the week and to do list so anyone questions can be answered without always asking mom! Once I accomplish this, I will post a picture.

The conversation I had yesterday with the friend I am coaching was primarily surrounding intention. He was discussing some of the challenges of changing eating habits. I know so many people who struggle with eating because you are bored and eating at night out of habit. These are really tough habits to break! We work so hard all day long that by the evening we are tired and worn out. It makes is  it that much harder to change the habit. I talked with him about being intentional, planning ahead and making the decision not to indulge out of boredom at night. It will be a daily challenge until the habit is broken but worth it in the long run! Right now he has to consciously make the choice everyday to not give in to the habit.

We all struggle with intention and how we fit it in our lives. It is difficult to commit to change but is doable when we make the choice and back it with intention. The definition of intention is 1. a thing intended; and aim or plan. 2. (Medicine) The healing process of a wound. Interesting medical definition. . .the healing process of a wound. With intention we are changing something or healing a wound in our life! I love that. I also love the "aim or plan" part as well. Notice that none of this said any of us are perfect and that we will not cheat or mess up. It is an aim, it is a plan, it is moving in a forward direction. We will all mess up. We will all have bad days, weeks, months, etc. But it is how we journey moving forward with intention to being well.

Have a wonderful weekend! I highly recommend you check out the website, facebook page and cookbook called Against all Grain. Danielle has an amazing story as well as awesome recipes. Very inspiring for all of us on our Journey to Wellness!

Partner in crime?

I am so excited to write today! I have been honored to have conversations with many of you about your health and wellness. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories with me. I love talking with you and brainstorming ways to work through the situations you are dealing with.

I believe there is power in sharing journeys. We are all on our own adventure in this world and I know it helps me when I can connect with others who have a similar experience. How many of you have tried and tried to get yourself on a health and fitness plan only to give up each time you slip? Or you beat yourself up so much from the guilt you feel that are totally unmotivated to keep up with it? From the sounds of conversations I have had recently, I am not the only one with these experiences.

I recently had somebody reach out who is fed up, frustrated and ready to improve his wellness. He is ready for the journey and wants the support to move forward. I am honored to be partnering with him. We have put together a plan and he started yesterday. He was ready for a pretty intense change so hit the ground running. Some people are not as ready so baby steps work better. My goal is to help put together a plan that will challenge each person to accomplish their goal while not being so impossible they give up. When we were talking today, one of the comments he made was that he was happy to know he gets cheat meals each week. If you are allowed a few cheats, you don't feel guilty and quit. Eventually you will be less inclined to eat those guilty pleasures because they just don't taste as good as they used to. Another interesting thing he realized is he was not hungry and it was hard to eat as much food as he needs to get his body in fat burning mode. I think we often think that if we change our eating plan, we will be starving! One of the best things he is doing is keeping a food log. I know, we all hate doing that but it sure does build accountability!

I have mentioned before and will say it again...if you had told me years ago that I would be eating and working out like I do today, I would have thought you had lost your mind! It has been small changes over time. We are a nation that eats horrifically. The norm for so many is soda and fast food. Our bodies are not meant to consume all these chemicals and fake foods. This affects all aspects of life even if you do not realize it. I think one of the biggest complaints I hear from people is their sleep. I know many people have sleep issues and some truly need medical support but, I would encourage you to first consider changing your eating habits. The healthier I eat, the better I sleep. Not every single day but for the most part.

The hard thing can be feeling like you are alone in the journey. Having the person to partner with you who will build you up and encourage you is essential to your success! Each time I have made significant changes in my life, I have not been successful until Brad or somebody was partnered with me. Get rid of the nay sayers! You can do it!

I will keep you posted as my friend shares his challenges and successes! Let me know if you need a partner on your journey. I am thrilled to walk beside you on your Journey to Wellness!