It’s week one …
I’m sitting here and thinking of what? Nearing the end of the fifth month of the year, it doesn’t feel like a typical first week to my perfectionist’s mind, which needs everything in line, categorised, and well-organised so that anyone can walk in and see whatever they need whenever they need it. But it’s week one after a life-changing decision, one that can happen whenever and wherever you wish. Honestly, you never see it coming until it’s right on top of you. The crossroads are there when you wake up, and today is the day you have to take a direction.
Life changes so quickly, and if we’re smart, we learn so we can be better at it as our age churns ever higher. We need to understand that ageing is a privilege; not everyone has that opportunity. How we age is up to each of us. We can live on highly processed foods created from chemicals and in a lab, or we can look to the farmer and eat whole foods that have been around since the World’s creation.
Spending time learning how to age gracefully while remaining strong and healthy has been a journey of discovery, understanding and self-discovery. The knowledge and understanding of the mass manipulation we’ve been exposed to since birth, going back for decades and realising that we have a choice to eat processed unhealthy foods (regardless of how they are marketed) and pander to the business and medical institutions that have no idea how to fix the poisoning damage done or we can decide to consume fresh whole foods that give life.
Starting that journey was wonderful, and experiencing what these decisions from the cornerstones of a healthy mind, body and soul could really do for the “Tomorrow” you felt amazing. However, the notion that you have it entirely under control is a myth. Life can hit your shores like the constant battering waves in a storm.
All that work you’ve done, everything you’ve learned takes a backseat as you react to everything that is happening around you … to you … in you … the foundation of your World shakes, and old nightmares arise, old triggers appear and before you know it you’re back to making those bad decisions you walked away from. Why? Why not use the plans you’ve put into place for this precise time. In the eye of this storm, you have a moment to breathe and realise that you did use those plans, but they were not meant for this Tsunami that hit your life. They were meant for a short moment in time until you could find your feet and move on. You find yourself clinging to a few good habits like a life raft, praying that somewhere along the line, you’ll feel the rising ground under your feet, but it’s not coming. You’re adrift, clinging to the last strands of all you’ve worked for and using excuses for your bad decisions until you wake up at those crossroads and realise this is the time you have to stop pretending and drag yourself back into that life raft, catch your breath, find your direction and start paddling toward those good decisions where land is waiting along with a better version of you.
Moving back toward a healthy body and mind is like an addict having to realise all those yummy treats so convenient, so easy to obtain can no longer be part of your daily decisions. It can no longer have that sickening hold on you. Finally, you have to decide to stop being manipulated by the manufacturers and so-called health industry that sell so-called healthy foods that are more toxic to your cell functionality than a glass of bubbly or gin and water.
My crossroads arrived … my choices were to be a vegetable at the age of 80 or be an independent, strong woman who could dress herself, cook her own meals, and take long walks to stay healthy. I was tired of living on tomorrow’s health, and my decision was clear. Turning in the direction of those good decisions has been a difficult mental week of making better choices. Instead of having that glass of red, which I know will end up being the entire bottle, I replace it with a glass of coconut water or freshly squeezed citrus juice in filtered water. No, you don’t get the kick, but something else happens: your body appreciates you more. Starts talking to you more, and finally, you’re connected again.
How has this week been? Hard.
How has my health been? Detoxing and experiencing every bug that has been hiding behind the highly processed, convenient, and toxic foods sold in stores has not been fun. My body is now free to fight what it knows shouldn’t be there instead of seeing everything in it as an enemy.
How has my nutrition been? A work in progress. Roasting chicken drumsticks and having them as a snack, or perhaps a handful of nuts, is a healthier alternative to having crisps and sugar-loaded sweets and chocolates. Feeding your body with protein is what it needs. Your body functions on every level, from protein, so … feed it what it needs, and it will look after you.
Have all junk food items been eradicated? Not yet, but instead of having large bars of chocolate, minibars are in their place. Knowing your weaknesses helps you work through the issue and strive to completely eliminate unnecessary harmful items from your diet.
How has my movement been? Wandering through houses to find the one that will suit you to move to and then working through all the items in your current home to prepare for moving while preparing the current home for selling … currently, that is all the moving I’m doing. I would love to have a moment in the day when I’m not working, packing, cleaning, sorting, decluttering or donating. While sitting and noting what is not currently being done in this part of my life, the lack of movement, such as taking a walk, is evident. Therefore, my trusty YouTube channels, featuring health and fitness experts, are at my disposal. Recognising that my body is no longer where it used to be, I aim to find a low-impact, gentle walking workout and a strength training session. Then, schedule it to do daily.
Scheduling everything that is happening in my life helps. Bills get paid on x date. Grocery and food shopping occurs on Y date or day, and so on. Gaining control over what can be controlled is the key to regaining your footing. Some days, you feel like you’re still rowing toward those good decisions, but you are in the boat, and that is a good start. Don’t give up. Be aware of your thoughts; these lead to actions, and actions make the habits that are good or bad.
This is week one, happening in the raw… look out for week two and hopeful more progress to come.