Happy New Year! We can all pat ourselves on the back because we finally made it through 2020 and have lived to tell the tale. Even though there were some really good parts, 2020 was HARD and I'm more excited than ever to start anew with healthy goals and a fresh perspective. I {like many others} got a bit sidetracked by that little pandemic last year {and let's not kid ourselves and think that just because 2020 is in the rearview that the pandemic is anywhere close to being over} and while it was tough on my mind and body, I keep reminding myself that I survived a crazy tough year and that a few extra pounds {and meltdowns} are absolutely normal considering the circumstances. While I know I need to get back on track for my health and well-being, I also know that I need to be kinder to myself this year and give myself some grace. Those few extra pounds are ok {it was a rough year - pandemic! social justice! an election!} and meltdowns every now and then are normal {it would be weird to not have feelings when the world seems to be falling apart} and while I may not be completely happy with where I am at this moment, I'm really proud of myself for making it through and having a new perspective on life. I have already been working on the mental game with my favorite meditation app, Calm, and am currently on a 35 day streak of meditating. I love taking 5-10 minutes out of my day to listen to the soothing sounds and guided exercises for the mind and find it helps so much whether I do it first thing in the morning or to help me fall asleep at night. I think we could all use a bit of grounding these days. I also started The Motherchic x Bulldog Yoga 30 Day Challenge {I'm on day 4!} as a jumpstart to getting back into regular workouts {I did the challenge last year and it was a great way to start the year}. While I could not have predicted that my living room would also become my gym, I'm committed to getting back on track with my at home workouts - with no commute time either to work or back, I have plenty of time to get in a yoga flow or online HIIT class with no excuses. And along those lines, I'm going to continue opening up all of those cookbooks that are staring back at me from the kitchen shelves just full of delicious meal ideas. I want to be healthier, but I know that restricting certain foods just doesn't work that well for me, so instead I plan on adding even more veggies, fruits, and lean proteins, cooking more plant-based foods at home, and stocking healthy snacks in the pantry for that inevitable mid-afternoon hunger that always hits. There are still other goals I have for myself including keeping to more of a routine while working at home, purging my home of things that don't bring me joy anymore, getting outside for quick walks or yardwork breaks to soak up what little Vitamin D we get here in WA, and take more vacation from work, but I know that whatever I do and whatever this year brings I need to be kind to myself and give myself the space to make mistakes, take breaks, and get right back on track. If 2020 taught us anything, it's that our health {physical, emotional, and mental} is more important than ever and we must take care of ourselves as best we can. Cheers to a healthy and happy 2021 - let's make it a great year!
xoxo,
stephanie marie
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