Category: 1 Year

I Stopped Counting Calories

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For the entirety of my life I’m pretty sure I’ve been on a diet of some kind. That or denying that the food I was putting in my body was causing turbulence. THAT or I just didn’t care about it all and pretended that none of it mattered.

Then, a year ago I had fainted in a public area with thousands of people at an event. It was just me and my partner and we were in the thick of the moment and I just dropped to the ground as I was trying desperately to get out there. I maintained enough consciousness to get out and get back up after the collapse but it was in that moment I knew I needed to take better care of myself. The first place I started was my plate.

I kept track of macros, calories and the works. And for a long while, it really worked! I could see my clothes getting bigger, my frame getting smaller. I was feeling a little better because I was getting the nutrients I needed. It was good. The trick is that no one tells you how all-consuming calorie tracking can be.

Now, let me say this first: I am not a professional. I am a person. This is just my personal perspective and relationship with calorie counting. For some, calorie tracking can really work and be no additional negative effects. I love those TikTok’s of those fitness girls crushing their protein goals and measuring stuff out for the week. I love getting to see those people rocking that lifestyle!

But I am not one of them. I simply can’t be. My brain gets too obsessive and then everyone goes home cranky because I didn’t feed my brain enough and get snippy. No one is happy, including the body I was trying to take care of.

So why keep doing it? I didn’t. I learned a lot about portion control and listening to my body’s need versus wants in that time so I’ve been able to carry that over to now. I think a more intuitive approach is beneficial for me because it’s less restrictive- I don’t limit food choices. I don’t put limits on types of foods, good or bad. I eat and when I’m done, my body gives me the heads up.

There’s always something that works for everyone. Each body is different and you need to find what works for you. Have you?

Until Next Time,

Dana

Hard Body Days

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Most don’t know, but I’ve been on a health journey. Well, I think I’ve been on some sort of health/weight loss journey my whole life. I’ve always had more fat on my body and as a woman, always been told to suck it in and eat less. As we all know, this is garbage, so my health journey has been about restoring my relationship with food and exercise to be something I enjoy and feel good doing rather than a form of punishment.

But some days are harder than others. Because I spent a lot of my childhood and early 20s trying to lose weight in unsafe ways, I sometimes tend to fall back on that mindset- the deadlines, the calorie cutting, the increase in cardio. I do all that because I look in the mirror and I don’t see progress. I don’t see change or something to be proud of in that moment.

And I have to remind myself that it’s okay. I do not have to be a constant work in progress. I can just exist. I don’t have to fix or adjust or maneuver my body to cater to others eyes despite all the things my brain keeps saying I have to do.

A great tip I picked up on restoring my relationship with my body is that body love sometimes isn’t possible. Sometimes you’ve hated your body and your outward appearance for so long that switching to love isn’t going to happen right away. For some, it may not happen at all, but working toward body neutrality? Now that’s something we can all work towards. Not hating. Not loving. Just finding a peaceful existence with your body.

It’s days like these where I take this tip to heart and find neutrality with my body. I find some clothes that I’m comfortable in and give it what it needs so it can fuel me. I don’t worry about what it looks like in the mirror or the way my body is shaped. I re-establish that neutrality towards my body because love is unattainable that day. And that’s okay. But I don’t hate my body. It’s gotten me through some pretty remarkable things and deserves some respect!

You’ve got this. Take care of you on those hard body days. I definitely am!

Until Next Time,

Dana

Mondays are Trash

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I will be the first to admit it: Mondays are garbage. You spend a whole weekend doing all of your favorite activities only to be met by your way to early alarm clock on Monday and dragging yourself out of bed to repeat the dreaded work cycle.

I do it every single week, too. I wish I could say that I had the financial stability and freedom to not have to go to my 9-5 every week, but I do. I’m working on reaching that path to financial freedom, but until then, my Monday alarm is my enemy and we honestly should have a duel.

How do you deal with it? There are tools to help every person out there to make the screeching time box next to your bed more manageable and I’ve collected a handful below:

Create a Monday morning you’ll look forward to.

Whether that’s setting out your clothes the night before, presetting your coffee pot and putting your journal out to write or making some banana bread for breakfast, creating and establishing a routine can help bring your brain into focus and be more ready for the work day.

For me, I always I try to preset the morning coffee. My partner was a saint this morning and made it this morning when I completely forgot to. I also try to hop in the shower right away to wake my eyes and brain up. I find I’m usually more functional when I’ve cleaned up before getting the day rolling. But knowing that routine helps get me on track to start a good week.

Get yourself going with your favorite motivational podcast.

Or not a motivational podcast. Maybe not a podcast at all. Maybe it’s some rage tunes or Queen or some light lofi beats. Whatever it is that makes you happy to listen to to get your state of mind right for the new week.

I’m a big fan of Hozier on the car ride in, but I also try to listen to a podcast for my gain. What I mean by that is that if I’m going to be working my 9-5 for a company (which I very much enjoy doing don’t get me wrong), I’m going to use my personal time for me and my growth. Currently I’m listening to Financial Feminist on Spotify. I highly recommend to any person who is new to investments and financial savings.

PERFECT time for a quick journal session.

Again, taking your time for you. Be selfish with your you-time! Don’t sit there and answer emails before your clock starts or responding to coworkers business inquiries. That’s what the 9-5 timeframe is for. You are still a good employee if you aren’t a slave to your company every moment of the day.

Before and after your shift is time for YOU and what YOU want out of it. Monday morning is a great time for a mental check-in and refocus. My personal journaling method is intentional journaling, but whatever works for you is what works!

Do NOT miss your coffee or go-to morning drink

We all know the morning drink isn’t for our safety, but for everyone else’s. If my partner hadn’t made that pot of coffee for us this morning, there is no telling my level of destruction. Better safe than sorry, especially on a Monday.

Breakfast. Eat, you hooligans.

Seriously, what is it with people not eating in the morning? I don’t get it. Eating breakfast improves your metabolism and gives you brain food that makes the rest of your meals more sustainable throughout the day. Eat something you like.

And a bonus tip here: HYDRATE. We all need the water as much as the morning caffeination. Bring your water bottle with you! Water can help with the morning brain fog.

Balance your checkbooks and your calendars.

Don’t really feel like the emotional check in is where you’re at? That’s okay! Then go pay your bills that are due this week and check your calendar for your personal upcoming events. Maybe you can squeeze a beach day in after work this week. Personal care also comes in the form of keeping your finances and calendar in check.

Mondays are a rough time. The alarm, the upcoming work week, all of it. Use that personal time to help yourself however you need it. We can’t just stop working because we have bills to pay. But we can optimize our personal time to benefit ourselves. We invest so much in our work, why not in ourselves too?

What are things you do to make your Mondays better? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Maybe try a few out!! Share in the comments below or feel free to write me an email. You know where to find me.

Until Next Time,

Dana