From the category archives:

health

Whoa! July really sneaked up on us, didn’t it? How did it get here so fast? Where did June go? I’d like a do-over, please.

Aaargh! I am not ready for July! Our vacation is quickly approaching, and I am nowhere near bikini-ready, and that’s causing me to freak out a little. Or a lot.

Tell me, how would you feel if I told you “Hey, you know what? how about we also organize a high school reunion while you are on vacation? Or maybe a nice reunion with all your ex boyfriends?” What’s that? No friggin’ way? Ha! Exactly. Now you get how I feel about going home on vacation.

Imagine if once a year, instead of having a relaxing time to look forward to, you had to prepare for the chance of meeting up with old school mates, old neighbors, old friends, old boyfriends… which brings me back to aaaargh!

Ok, clearly my first resolution for this month should be

1. I will NOT freak out about my upcoming vacation.
Instead, I will do my best to see it as something to look forward to. Gorgeous views, lovely beaches, plenty of opportunity to take photos, the chance to spend time with my family, and hello! Italian shoes on sale. Focus on the positive!! I don’t have to see anyone I don’t want to see, and if I do see them, I most definitely shouldn’t feel like justifying myself for anything. If they are not in my life, why does it matter what they think?

I think Dr. Seuss had it right when he said “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

So enough. I am done caring about what other people might say, I am done preparing for a vacation as if I was going to war, and my last read (the one I told you about here) inspired me to approach things differently, which is why I have decided that

2. I will stop punishing myself with these ridiculous, constant diets and instead focus on eating wholesome foods and consuming reasonable portions. And if I have a small treat now and then I won’t kick myself for it, I will simply enjoy it and then go back to my healthy eating.

Seriously, this is getting ridiculous. I am done feeling bad about not being perfect all the time. I am done kicking myself for having a cupcake with a friend. I refuse to run for the hills screaming “aaah! CARBS!!” when I feel like munching on a carrot or having some brown rice or quinoa. And I am done with those damn protein shakes. It’s summer, damn it! Let me bite into a juicy peach without wondering how many calories are in it.

I no longer want to be perfect. I simply want to feel good. And I no longer believe that my worth is linked to my weight – hurray!
So f@!* Tracy Anderson and her promises of a “teeny tiny body” – just thinking about her workouts and her speeches makes my blood pressure shoot up.
I need a workout that makes me feel strong and empowered, not one that makes me feel anxious and like I am not good enough. Which is why, starting this month

3. I will start practicing yoga again. The deep breathing, the variety of poses, the stretching and unwinding, the mind-body connection… aaah, I feel more relaxed just thinking about it :-)

What about you? What do you want to accomplish this month? Share your goals in the comments below – or, if you decide to blog about it, add your post to the Mr. Linky, so I can find you and come cheer for you!

 

 

 

 

Image credits: 1. n/a; 2. imgfave; 3. Athleta; all via Pinterest.

{ 17 comments }

April weather in Switzerland is a little… well, let’s say it: it’s completely psychotic.
It’s rainy and miserable and dark for days, and just when you start considering moving  because ohmygodIcannothandleitanymore, you wake up in the morning and the sky is blue, the birds are chirping, and it’s warm enough to leave your coat at home.

This year April is even warmer than usual – still psycho weather, but up several degrees. I don’t know if it’s the warm weather or if my husband got hold of a “domestic goddess” potion and slipped me some, but I have been feeling like spring-cleaning.
And not just in the house, either: also my personal schedule and lifestyle habits. I know, shocking. Almost suspicious. (Hence my wondering about my husband dabbling in the dark arts.)

It started last month, and although I didn’t quite follow through with #1 and I’m still working on #3, I did manage not to bitch at my husband. A lot. Ok, only once did I bitch, when I had a migraine and had to make three different dinners. That doesn’t count, does it?

This month I want to really make the best of the warmer weather. Which is why my first resolutions is to

1. Do at least one outing a week for the express purpose of exploring Zurich (and surroundings) and taking some good photos.

In the past couple of months I have been spending more time at home because of the cold weather, but you know what? No more. There’s so many things I could be doing.
I got a yearly membership for the museum but haven’t been there at all since the beginning of the year.
I also haven’t been inspired to take photos because of the gray skies and rainy days, but now there’s no excuse!

Another thing that changes with cold weather? My eating. As someone from a warmer climate, cold weather never feels natural, no matter now many years I spend in Switzerland, or in New York – and as a result, cold weather makes me want to just curl up on the sofa and enjoy warm, creamy, comforting foods.

But spring brings more fruit choices and lots of fresh veggies perfect for big salads and juicing, so I can get back to my warm-weather habits, hence the next resolution:

Homemade Tropical Salad

2. Pack in as many fresh and unprocessed  veggies as I can throughout the day and stay away from sugar, coffee, and alcohol as much as possible – except for special occasions (Sundays don’t count as special occasions, however Marisa‘s birthday party does!)

One thing I love about the warm weather is that eating “cleaner”, lighter, healthier foods doesn’t feel like a diet. When it’s hot out, a big salad and fresh fruit are just what I crave – which thankfully makes the local farmer’s market more tempting than the many chocolatier in my fair city.

Even Starbucks fare is less tempting than usual – I was there on Monday for the English book swap and I had no problem ordering a simple chai tea, instead of my usual Soy Caramel Macchiato or sugary Earl Grey with a Blueberry Muffin (I know, I’m a saint ;-) )

And now, because the first two resolutions are all about me, I feel I should include something someone else will benefit from – so in the spirit of Spring Cleaning, this month I vow to

3. Finish decluttering/re-organizing the bedrooms and do two more rooms before the end of the month.

After all, getting rid of clutter is the very first step in the application of feng-shui, and we all know I need to get my chi together. Not to mention the fact that leaving the house a bit tidier before I leave for my London trip will make me feel better about leaving my hubs and kids for a purely selfish long weekend away with my bestie :-)

What are you up to this month? Are you also planning some Spring Cleaning, or are you avoiding it like the plague?

 

Image credits: 1. Pix11; 2. Phuong, on Flickr; 3. Country Living (UK edition), via The White Verandah
New Month’s Resolution graphic courtesy of Pokidots. Used with artist’s permission.

{ 7 comments }

Copyright Elisa Bieg, 2008-2009.