How did you take care of your body today?
Did you nourish it with healthy food?
Did you get enough sleep?
Did you exercise or get some physical activity that raised your heart rate a bit?
Did you stretch and release tension?
Did you notice your posture and sit or stand up right instead of slouched over?
If you answered no, what’s stopping you?
Work?
Your busy family schedule?
Your community obligations?
The cooking and cleaning?
Your commute to and from work?
Have you ever wondered how you fit into all of these excuses? Not your fault? I learned, not that long ago, that when I place blame I give away my power. I’m stuck, waiting for someone else to take action. Not helpful if you have dreams or goals you’re trying to achieve. Not helpful if you’re looking for a new way to take care of your health.
A big part of feel-good living is taking personal responsibility for your choices and how you treat your body. Your body is truly a temple. Without it you can’t get to work, care for your children, or have fun and enjoy life. Yes, taking care of your body requires thought, preparation and action. Long-term consistent action. But aren’t you worth it?
This week I’m doing something different for my body. My husband and I are participating in a spring cleanse with Kat Ogar of Infinitie Health and Wellness, the health coach I recently interviewed on Feel Good Living TV. The thought of eating raw fruits and vegetables, and water (or tea) ONLY for the first two days scares the heck out of me!
Leaving me to wonder, “What the heck am I so afraid of?”
I suspect that over the next 7 days of spring cleanse I will learn a lot about myself. A food cleanse is so much more than a food cleanse. You learn a lot about yourself when someone “takes away” the food you are used to eating. I already have. A true lesson in attachment and letting go.
Given that April is often a sign of fresh starts and new beginnings, this seems the perfect time to cleanse my body and “reawaken” to the strength and power my body (and mind) holds. This week during the cleanse, we are getting rid of the “old” and making room for the new, in our bodies and in our lives. I need my body and mind to stay healthy in order to accomplish what I want to accomplish.
Taking care of your body is:
good for you
good for your family
good for the community
Taking care of your body is feel good living. Take responsibility for your body, no one else will, and do something good for it, starting today.
How did (or will) you take care of your body today?
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Stacey
Great questions and to answer them all – a happy yes
You know, I always prioritize things that you have mentioned in the reflection questions, but especially now more than ever as we go through our “big change”. More to think about, more to do can always push aside healthy habits, but it is times of greatest “stress” that require even more personal TLC
Hi Stacey, this is Jeremy Johnson and my first time on your website. Very cool place you have here.
You bring up some good points. Sometimes I overdo it with my body by not getting enough sleep. Or I skip exercise because I am “too busy”. I think I echo what Evita is saying above about ‘more to do’ pushing aside healthy habits. The irony is that taking the time for healthy habits will allow you to do more – and do it better.
Thanks for sharing your website!
I run and eat healthy. I did have a some ice cream and strawberries today. I’ve not done a fast in years. I’m wondering what kind of effect it would have on me. Unlike Evita when I’m under stress all my good intentions go out the window.
That’s so funny about the cleanse and your fears around it. When I was ill last week, I made the same decision to “get clear” (and clean) about what I eat. I’ve always done pretty well in that regard, but there was more I could do, and I knew it. So I started eliminating “clouders” (ice cream, too much sugar), and also switched around the times of what I eat. Fruit & clear tea in the morning. Dairy in the early & late afternoon (but not at night). Nothing past 7:30p. I feel clearer already, and it gets easier every day.
Good luck! You can do this, AND enjoy it!
Stacey,
I’ve decided to take up smoking, eat nothing but junk food, pull a couple of all-nighters, and spend the rest of the time slouching around on the sofa… (now, doesn’t that spring cleanse look WAYYYY better than that!!!) (and…not nearly as scary anymore!!!!)
Okay – I lied – I’m not going to do those things. Although, maybe to some degree, I do. And – is that hurting my body????? (well, I’m sure it’s not helping….)
Hmmm…..
And – good luck to both of you on the cleanse. I’m sure there will be lots of good that comes out of it!!!
Hi Evita – I agree. As counterintuitive as it sounds, the more stressed we are the more we need to pause and take care of ourselves
Hi Jeremy – Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I agree – when you pause you can get more done. I think it’s hard to quantify and until you experience that you don’t “get” how it works!
Hi Tess – Thankfully this is not a fast. We do get to eat. And I can believe how it’s affecting me…I’ll be writing about it next post.
Megan – After almost 4 days, I understand the fear. And at the same time I’m “more free”.
Lance – I knew you were lying! (I hoped…) As hard as it’s been, yes, lots of good is coming out of it. Good I didn’t realize would come!
Well, today is a Tae Kwon Do day for me, so as long as I don’t get beaten up I will have definitely accomplished my exercise goals!
Chris – Good luck. I hope you accomplish your goals!
Great post, Stacey! I love your post! I believe that a healthy mind equals a healthy body. An individual can take care of his / her body by having a positive outlook in life. Having a positive outlook in life helps a person get rid of negative thoughts which in turn, can result in stress. One way to have a positive outlook in life is to know one’s passion. I think it’s important for a person to know what his underlying values are. These would help him / her feel more motivated and invigorated.
Hi Kat – thanks for stopping by! I believe that thoughts are connected to how our bodies feel…We have more power over ourselves than we may think.
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