My health journey

Do you ever go on your Instagram account, see a perfect photo of an athlete or model you follow and automatically start comparing yourself to that person? Me too.

It’s hard not to compare and I am constantly reminding myself to only be in competition with myself. I’ve had some set backs recently and knew that I needed to change things up so I could put my energy into something positive.

I started working with the same trainer my husband’s been working with the last few months. He is having a lot of success, and I’m sharing photos for proof.

These photos are taken two years apart. Change isn’t easy and it happens by making small, consistent choices over time to make a big long-term impact. You can clearly see the strength and muscle my husband has gained. What you can’t see is his increased energy. He comes home at the end of the day and still has energy to engage with the kids and play a round of golf. Last week he easily walk/ran a 5k while pushing both of our kids in the stroller.

Exercise and a healthy diet are a big part of our lifestyle (in balance of course). However, I think more important is that we are more cognizant of making time for our own self-care. My self-care includes date nights without the kids, working out at the gym, massages, manicures/pedicures, reading, watching a movie, and more. Easier said than done.

Why does this matter to me? Because I want to be able to keep up with our kids and do what I can to be around for a long time. I also have some pretty tough hikes on my bucket list that I want to accomplish. And because I simply feel good when I take care of my health.

I share this with you in case you are in a spot where you are wanting to make some changes as well. I work every day to make sure my mind and body are in a good place but it is not easy. For us females, there are hormone changes from our cycle, from pregnancy, sleep schedule changes with kids, routine changes, work stress, and much more.

I don’t typically show such personal photos, but I feel this captures some of the physical impacts of my mental and physical wellbeing.

I used to call these photos “before” and “after” photos, but it’s truly all a part of my story. I am learning to get better at focusing on what I can control, and let go of what I cannot. I will leave with a few things I’ve learned that help me make healthier choices.

Move.

Find an activity you enjoy and move your body. It will help you feel happier, reduce stress, and give you more energy. For example, I used to love running. But since having kids I’ve loved it far less and have since pivoted to lifting weights and cross training. It’s great. I feel good and enjoy the competition against myself to lift heavier weights each week.

Read.

Reading self-development books or professional development books is huge for my mental well-being. Reading provides helpful tips and guidance ranging from anything and everything, including: positive thinking, better communication, challenging yourself, embracing change, and more. My recent reads include The Energy Bus and Brave Not Perfect. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to know my favorites. I am also always looking for book recommendations so please share with me as well!

Write down your goals.

Writing down your goals and sharing it with others helps you stay accountable to the goals you set for yourself. One item on my goal sheet right now is to complete an unassisted pull-up. I believe I can achieve this goal by the end of the summer.

Talk to someone.

If you are struggling, talk to someone. If you are excited about an opportunity, share it with someone. If something great happened to you, tell someone. I tend to underestimate my own piece of advice and continue to work on it.

Wherever you are in your journey, I am cheering for you and here to support you. I am excited to continue making healthier choices for myself this summer, and not comparing my story to someone else’s.

Love the game