Why be healthy? I've heard this question from others along my journey and have found the best reason I know of is to have a feeling of being in sync with mind, body, soul, spirit and universe. When the body is in a rhythm the rest fall in line. The spirit leads the way on getting a body on schedule.
I started out with a simple routine of eating within an hour of waking then 4 to 5 hours after that until 3 meals are consumed. This easy guide got me started on the path to routine. I discovered the body needs to have routine - exercise, fuel intake, and sleep. When these 3 are regulated the rest will follow.
What rest am I talking about? Organizing, cleaning and socializing. As we meet the basic needs of the body, the mind is free to pursue other interests. To prepare the fuel, organization and cleaning at least in the kitchen, follows. From there the areas that we use each day to get going and stay clean, laundry and bathroom. Now I'm up to clearing away clutter and keeping the floors clean on a regular as you go type approach. I even got the vacuum cleaner involved - used to just do this on a "cleaning" day - well those don't really come easily to me so now every day is a cleaning day. The cleaning has become part of my routine. Next step will be to add areas I don't utilize all the time - coffee tables, side tables, storage bins, file cabinets and computer tables. Once this is in a clutter free state and I've weeded out all the unnecessary paperwork, I'll get rid of extra in my car trunk. That isn't too bad but needs a good clutter removing exercise.
I've discovered that the body works with the mind when it's needs are satisfied and the best way to accomplish this is with regular, good fuel and exercise. Getting the exercise done in the morning has also been key to overall cooperation of the body to get what needs doing done throughout the day. Sitting, standing, walking and doing is easier if the walk workout is completed first thing. This allows for better sleep patterns as well. The main reason is now I chose a waking time that is consistent with my schedule during the work week - out for my walk no later than 5:30 a.m. so I can have meal one completed before the work day begins. This allows me to have more time to do things for my personal living space and life goals on the weekends and holidays. Also saves on setting alarms - always set for same time everyday - routine makes for easier getting up as well which allows for a more even temperament throughout the day. Also, it's true, you can't make up sleep. The body needs its rest time everyday, you can't short it 5 days a week then expect it will be able to heal itself on the weekend by sleeping 10 or 12 hours Friday and Saturday.
This schedule also builds discipline that is self motivated. I know that if I get my walk done within an hour of getting up I feel better because I can have my meal one on time. The body rewards by being available the rest of the day for my other activities, social media, social events in my community, house work, food preparation, paying bills and pursing work and personal goals.
I used to think I wanted to be free of constraints on weekends - sleep as late as I wanted, sit all day if I wanted to. But I realized this isn't what my body needed. My body needs a routine, habits that build a stronger body, mind and spirit through regular nurturing. When you love yourself deeply and completely you will discover how important it is that your physical and psychological needs are met. Only then can you work on the needs of the many or the universe. In so doing I'm now fully awake in the present moment. I see what needs doing and get it done with no added stress.
Yes, I said, with no added stress. I was under much more pressure before because subconsciously I knew that getting off routine on weekends was damaging but couldn't see that getting up earlier was the cure. Not doing what needs doing creates stress whether you allow yourself to realize it or not. That pile of dishes is weighing on you whether you are able to see it or not. It's taking valuable reasoning power to justify not doing them. Why not do them? Same with eliminating dust, clutter, dirty body and laundry. When you take care of these things they are no longer taking up valuable hard drive space on the computer of the mind, so get them done.
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| My Changing Look On my Journey to Wellness |
I know, last July, 2013 I weighed at least 240 pounds for a 5' 1" frame. I couldn't get from the chair to the kitchen sink without effort that taxed. In 2012, I was going door to door to help get out the vote and nearly passed out after going just a short distance and steps were impossible. This extra weight was slowing me down, using up my mental and physical resources just to get the basics done to keep working. The light didn't come on about the weight until I couldn't easily fit in an airline seat. So while on that same trip I found the book, "It Starts With Food" at
Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe. I suggest you read this book - you can do that easily - its well written and easy to understand. It walks you through the 1st steps to getting well. It took me until February to lose enough weight to start exercises about 40 pounds or so. I had to start slow - shoot for 30 minutes easy walking - fit it in where you maybe now watching TV, then later you see the value of morning routines that are sustainable by being set early enough to accommodate working hours.
Remember this is a gradual change - the body doesn't gain or shed weight in a hurry unless you're ill. You need to maintain about a pound a week and remember water weight comes off fast and as your increase muscle mass you will weigh more - fat weighs less than muscles does. I first noticed by measuring myself like I was going to sew an outfit, bust, waist, mid-waist, hips, bicep, and calf. Just remember if you are like me, you'll have fat that hangs down, like the waist and upper arm. The arm you can measure, but the stomach hang is trickier to measure. I gage it by how much of my thighs I can see. I noticed there's an indent on my thighs from where the stomach rested, I can see that the stomach has receded (after losing nearly 60 pounds) - much like a glacier, the fat has melted away. Take note of these things in the mirror, get a hand mirror to check out your butt and back. You have to stay motivated - scale and measurement will let you down but seeing less fat will not - you will know you've made progress if you detail how you look today. It's your body, embrace it, know it, and work with it.
Not just your body will be changing, your mind, soul and spirit will be changing too. Be sure to capture this journey in journals during alone times. This is the time your spirit will talk with you and the universe to give you direction and help you see the direction you need to take both personally and professionally. Keep appointments with yourself for bill paying, journal writing and socializing. As you complete the journal writing you will find other goals you want to pursue, like traveling, learning, reading, and writing. Make appointments for these too and follow through, you matter, your hopes and dreams matter, be true to them.
Its so easy to slip, the main thing is don't fall back into the bad habits. Keep your focus on what's doable, execute and remember your checklists and appointments with yourself are even more important than those at work. As you take care of your basic needs, you'll be able to start work on your To Be list. Your mind will have the resources to begin finding out what is it you want to be, to yourself, to the world and to the boss. Remember, what you are is as important as what you do. Be the best you can be.
Your comments are welcome. If you need someone to run ideas by you can reach me at mblanchdev1@gmail.com. Sometimes you just need to have someone listen to your ideas. I've also found that talking into a recorder helps me work through my thoughts easier than writing at times. Its a great way to sound off. The mind and body want to work for the good of the soul and spirit so learn what's good for you, apply it and good health will follow.
