Rested

Beverly Beach, Oregon

I’m sending this while trailering along the beautiful Oregon coastline. This trip is designed to offer a time to rest, reboot and reconsider.

What’s Actually Happening?

I believe taking a break from the “regular” is tricky, and I struggle to allow these days of - come what may to actually feel ok.

Because, I’m dealing with feelings of not doing something valuable and useful.

Questions Swirling.

1. How will I re-engage with people when I return to my scheduled life?

2. What changes do I want to make moving forward?

3. Do I need a seismic shift or will subtle changes be enough?

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As you can imagine, I’m not there yet, and that’s right where I need to sit to begin to find a healthy rhythm of life as I grow into my years as a real-life senior.

Turning the tables inward is not very easy for me, as I’m much more comfortable telling others what they could do to support their health goals. So I'll begin with one of my usual sub-headings.

What Can I Do?

Take time to consider what’s really important in how to live out the days that are granted each of us.

This can be a monumental project if we keep choosing those really big life-changing goals.

I’m suggesting dialing into the actual daily living practices to yield realistic, attainable results that can be followed for a lifetime.

The goal for me and I hope for you as well, will be to find a few things I'm doing that's working well and keep doing them, and a few things that are not.

Ask yourself;

• How do I feel, really?

• Am I tired most of the time, even after sleeping?

• Do I struggle with feeling “off” after eating?

• Is my digestion [bowel movements] regular and occurring without coffee, Metamucil, or other aids?

• Do I have the energy to do what I love doing?

• Am I sad, blue, or more grumpy than I’d like to be?

During this break from my regular life, I have been thinking a lot about each of these questions and some of my answers are hard for me to accept.

A hard truth to unpack.

"I believe that because I know what to do, I should do it always!"

This roadblock of sorts has flourished throughout this past year, and I believe taking this break is giving me time to accept and embrace truths that can lead me toward a better, healthier place.

My first step in making changes is to actually love and appreciate who I am are today.

I have spent far too long re-living all my mistakes, regrets, poor choices and actions to last a lifetime.

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This hamster wheel of regrets is not productive, and in fact leads to many poor health- related outcomes.

• High Blood Pressure

• Heart Issues

• Low Mood, Depression, Anxiety

• Obesity/ Weight Gain

• Skin Conditions

• Digestive Complaints

• Fatigue/ Low Energy

• Sleep Disturbances

• Body Aches & Pains

I easily made this list, because I’m experiencing many of these issues.

What about you?

We are a Masterpiece, Created by the Master.

I believe this is absolutely true, and I’m working on looking at both how I structure my days and my thoughts to align with what I believe.

Early Learnings.

• Continuing to choose foods that make me feel bloated and bring on digestion problems goes against the truth of who I am.

• Finding activities that get me outside and moving supports better mood and energy.

• Eating meals instead of snacking throughout the day keeps my hunger stabilized and I don’t fight the urge to grab sugary treats so often.

• I experience better sleep when I limit sugary treats.

• Focusing on the quality of how I build my meals works much better for me.

• I’m beginning to see a reduction in my belly size, which has been a huge source of concern both because this is a strong indicator of insulin resistance and my pants don’t fit!

• I’m finding more positive feelings throughout my days when I eat well.

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This is a huge learning for me and it’s a major message I've delivered as a nutrition coach.

Almost everything around our health outcomes can be tied to our insulin resistance and poor blood sugar management.

Truth.

1. I’m just as susceptible to food marketing and manufacturing methods that deliver enticing products keeping me hooked and honestly sick - just like you too.

I know my tastebuds will change and adapt to the taste of real, whole foods but…

This takes time and discipline, which is hard and not fun.

2. Listening to the inner voice that says; I deserve this, one won’t hurt, or who cares, will keep me in the cycle of feeling sick and tired of being sick and tired.

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For Today, Choose Rest.

This post [which is a definite departure] is designed to be a written statement of a desire to change.

My hope is that you, dear reader will consider my words, not as judgement but as a ray of sunlight to expose your thoughts and practices that are keeping you stuck.

I have miles to walk to find my true path toward health throughout my senior years, therefore I’m choosing to use these trailering days that are without any determined schedule to sit and think.

Because I’m naturally a scheduler and a planner, there will begin to emerge some truths and then some ways to become more authentic in my desire around helping you find your path toward lifelong health practices too.

I’m confident in this.

Because;

We are a Masterpiece, Created by the Master.

Thanks for reading,

Jan