I was at a 'koroga' get together this past Tuesday (for the non-kenyans, a get together where guests cook for themselves usually Indian style cooking). It was a public holiday, we always look for excuses not to work, this time the excuse was that our new president was being inaugurated.
There was a lady friend who said that my 'walking' really was working on my body. I know she works out a lot. The last time she saw me working out, I was walking, that was three months post baby and I was just starting out. I told her, these days, I run....and a lot of other things. Then Robert (Baba Njoki) called me a fanatic....This is my reply.
What you call fanaticism I call dedication. When I chose not to miss a workout, or not to spare myself when working out, it is because I know each movement I make, each minute I sweat, it all adds up. It is not one day that makes a difference in this journey, it is the sum total of very very many days.
Consistency is key. Consistency is what makes a difference. Consistency is what gets me the results I want. I also like using the word conscious when I talk about healthy living. Being conscious about what I eat every day. Being conscious of factors around me that are unhealthy. Which means, keeping my relationships with my family healthy, and thriving. Which means, keeping my living space clean and organised. Clutter disorganises my mind. Which means, getting my daughter to sleep enough so that she grows up strong and healthy, and she is a happy child, which means I get enough sleep. It becomes a routine, such that I do not think twice about offering her fruit instead of candy. When I open my pantry, I see no junk. Just natural food that I need to prepare myself. I don't think twice about it, it has become habit, but I begun by consciously choosing not to shop for junk food. Dedication.
And so, I share with you some things I do to make it easier to continue living healthy. Some of which I have already mentioned, most of them common sense.
1. Plan ahead. Sounds easy doesn't it? On your day off, or when your spouse or baby sitter is around, take a half an hour to plan your family meals, work, workouts, weekly targets, housework for the week. You become more efficient at this planning as you see what works for your family and what doesn't. It also avoids wastage. I plan what laundry I do on what day, that way, nothing gets neglected. Meals are planned down to how many dinners one chicken can give (the first, the salad after, the sandwich from left overs....).
2. De-clutter, do not procrastinate. It is difficult to find anyone who loves cleaning up. But we do love the results. I am more efficient when I do not have to look for my notebook under a pile of clothes...or wash a glass just before I use it.
3. Celebrate even small gains. We can be hard on ourselves. We shouldn't be. We are, after all, human. I added half a kilometer to my run this week....I was so happy I was telling anyone willing to hear about it. They were probably thinking this is such a small thing, why would she be so happy? Because a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Small achievements lead to bigger ones. Do not be so modest.
4. When you don't have the full hour, take advantage of the few minutes you have. We are actively forming this habit. Excuses will not work. I have alternatives for when I do not have a lot of time, both for cardio and strength training.
5. If you think you cannot do it, you won't. Take "I can't" out of your vocabulary. Try. You will never know what you are capable of until you try.
Have an active day!
No comments:
Post a Comment