Written by Changing patterns and behaviors during the holidays can prove challenging as it is a time in which patterns and behaviors are already off-kilter. My goal this past week – the first week of my reset – was for progress and not perfection. I sought to focus my efforts on time with family and not get bogged down in whether or not I was able to get to the gym every day. I focused on ways to move that involved family and were in the spirit of the season – we walked outside. Yesterday, on Christmas Day, we walked for nearly 1.5 hours completing the full circular loop of the main road in our neighborhood. I told my daughter and her boyfriend we were giving our dog the Christmas gift she would have wanted – a long walk and time outside. And, maybe we did, but we also managed to give ourselves a gift of fresh air, sunshine and movement. It was blissful. I’m looking for ways to incorporate this long walk into my routine at least a few days a week going forward as I enjoyed it so very much, and believe my dog also found it thoroughly enjoyable.
I’ve tracked my eating daily which has been a plus and a minus. It’s a plus because I’ve. been tracking it, but a minus because I’m seeing that I’m over on my carbs and fat – and also my calories – on most days, and under on my protein. That said, I’m not beating myself up about it and instead using it as a barometer for where I need to focus my nutrition. I’m also not that far off, but enough to know that I need to continue to watch and see where the extra carbs are sneaking in and how I can replace them with protein.
I’m 100% on track with my no-alcohol which has me feeling both mentally and physically amazing already. I purchased two bottles of non-alcoholic sparkling wine to enjoy the last couple of days and it has been an excellent substitute. My local wine-store offered two choices and transparently shared that one was much better than the other. I opted to take that sage advice and purchased two bottles of the one they recommended.
I learned (since starting to write this post) that Gran Palas is a Spanish sparkling wine. I’ll likely buy it again, but would also like to try some of the recommendations from a friend who’s also given up drinking. She started well before me and has tried a number of options. I may start rating them and sharing the reviews as they make their way from my glass to my tummy. I’ve enjoyed being able to enjoy the sparkling and bubbly drink in a lovely champagne glass, but not have to feel the effects of the alcohol. I’m thrilled at the idea of detoxing my body and my mind for an extended period of time and believe it’s already having a positive effect on my sleeping.
Spiritually, I’m on track. I enjoyed the Advent reflections on my Hallow app and am looking forward to what they offer next over and above the daily Lectio Divina. While I enjoy the Lectio Divina immensely and find it grounding, slowing and thought provoking, I had also become fond of the longer reflections I listened to over and above the Lectio Divina. Either way, the continued consistency of my spiritual life is helping to keep me focused and grounded – and, ultimately, positive, in what could otherwise be a stressful time. It is stressful, for sure, but the spiritual combined with the healthy nutrition, fitness and freedom from alcohol is contributing greatly to an ability to manage through.
I’m going to avoid the scale for at least another week as I suspect I may be unhappy or saddened by what I see. Rather than subject myself to that kind of negativity right now, I’m going to focus on getting back into my fitness routine and improving my nutrition even further for the next week with the goal of a positive outcome!
Overall, a great first week in spite of the challenges of the holidays. Welcoming the seeming boredom that comes with the slowness of the month of January to see the positive outcomes of the reset.