Hi friends! How is your week going? I hope you’re having a great time. It’s been a very hectic week, as usual, working during the day and chasing the kids around in the evenings and nights. I feel like the summer was very quiet and the school year is total chaos. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance everything, especially since the kids are busy with their own activities and a ton of homework.
In today’s post, I wanted to talk a little bit about my personal journey to health and wellness and some of the things I had to learn the hard way. If you’re a reader of the original blog (Hellooooo! Thanks for being here for so long!), you’ve had a front row seat to how things have changed over time. You’ve seen the cardio queen days, the raw food days, the pregnancies, the good, the bad, the weird, and everything in between. 🙂
It’s funny because as health and wellness professionals, it’s easy to assume that we have it all together most of the time and that we follow our own advice. The reality is that many of us try different things, fail, and learn along the way. Even the things you *know* (like the value of sleep, stress management, and eating a damn vegetable) can still be a challenge for those of us in this industry.
Here are some of the things I had to learn the hard way.
Things I learned the hard way about health and wellness:
– Not everything is for everyone. As someone who has tried pretty much everything (except swimming-related activities, because I like floating on a raft and swimming doggystyle), I’ve learned that my body doesn’t like every type of exercise class or format. Since I’m still in my healing process and trying to keep inflammation at bay, I know I can’t do much sprinting or HIIT right now just yet, and that’s okay. I find barre and yoga a million times better than box jumps and burpees, and I don’t feel like I need to take a nap afterward.
The same goes for nutrition and supplements. Some people do very well on a high-fat diet, while others do not. Some people need more B vitamins and protein, and less carbohydrates, while others need more carbohydrates and do not digest protein as well.
Probiotics can be amazing tools, but if you have an overgrowth of gut bacteria, they can make things worse.
Cold therapy can take the edge off an already full bucket of stress.
And so on… It’s really about finding out what works well for YOU 🙂
– Good shoes make a big difference! I remember my first long distance runs in kids-sized Nike shoes. I’m glad I upgraded my footwear!
I have tried many shoes and my #1 favorites right now are I live barefoot. (<— that link gets you 20% off) I'm going to write a whole post on barefoot shoes, but I love that they allow you to use more muscles in your feet, grip the floor, allow your toes to fully splay, and are super lightweight for traveling.
– Workout attire doesn’t matter that much, but it can be fun for motivation. I used to spend a LOT of money on workout clothes, but now I only dress up when I take a class at the studio. If I’m at home, I’m usually barefoot and in my pajamas. Sculpture society It’s my favorite pajama workout.
– Many raw foods can be difficult to digest. When you don’t consume much fiber, it can be difficult for your digestive system to add lots of salads and raw vegetables. Steaming, baking, sautéing and roasting vegetables makes them easier to digest.
– It is worth skipping the night waiting time and rest to sleep. After a long day, I used to feel like I had earned staying up late, drinking wine, watching TV, or browsing on my phone. I suffered from extreme fatigue for years. Now that I’ve become super protective of my sleep, I’m a happier, more energetic person.
– Just pick up the weights. I used to be a huge fan of strength training, but now it’s something I force myself to do at least 2-3 times a week. I think I got so burned out by constantly programming for others, and the last thing I wanted to do was program for myself. When I do lift heavy weights, it’s usually on an F45 strength day.
As a woman, strength training is very important. When I neglected strength training and overdid it with cardio, I was unhappy with my body composition. From a vanity standpoint, it makes a huge difference, and from a longevity perspective, it is invaluable.
– Alcohol doesn’t like me. I love wine or a margarita, and I still enjoy one from time to time, but it generally makes me look bloated, makes me sleep horribly, and affects my blood sugar levels for the entire next day. For me, it has to be worth it. Here’s more information on how I cut back on my wine consumption over time.
– Consistency trumps intensity, any day. When I was a youngster, it was all about quantity and intensity. More hours, more sweat, more classes. No wonder I was hungry and cranky most of the time. I also used to get injured quite a bit from overtraining. Now, exercise is a box I check every day. It’s not as intense as it used to be, but I’m very consistent in moving my body in a way that makes me feel good. Before, exercise felt like a punishment; now it feels like a joy.
What would you add to the list, friends? Something you’ve had to learn the hard way on your path to health and wellness?
I look forward to reading your experiences in the comments section!
Have a wonderful day and see you soon.
Kisses and hugs
Gina
