Masters Health Journey

Set yourself up for success by starting small.  This doesn't mean your goal has to be a small one, what it means is you have to break your goal down into smaller more manageable pieces. For  example, when I started working out again on my most recent journey I started with 7 minute workouts. On previous attempts, I would start out with 30 minutes from the get-go and that usually only lasted for a week or two, maybe a month at best. Baking with my best friend and her kiddos!  Develop a plan of how you are going to deal with that overwhelmed feeling  (you know the one, where it feels like the walls are closing in and you don't know which way to turn). The truth is, your anxiety is always going to find a way to creep in and since you don't know when it'll happen you need to prepare for it before you are in the midst of it. Figure out what works for you, is it meditation, a walk around the block, counting to 10, journaling, listening to music,  spend time w...

Determine the  why  behind your goal.  Think about ALL the reasons why you are working towards your goal and then write them down! Writing them down is key because you are going to need this reminder sometimes daily. When I decided I wanted to be healthier, which included working out on a regular basis, I wrote down everything I could think about why I was doing this. I wrote down things like having more energy, ability to concentrate and focus better, less anxiety and depression, feel more confident, walk up stairs without being out of breath, joints won't ache constantly and diabetes prevention (runs in the family and I was headed down that path too). Of course I wanted to lose weight but I didn't write that down as my why or my goal because I needed to really dig down deep and figure out what was truly important to me. Sit with your goal for a bit and really think why you are wanting to achieve this goal. Keep it in a notebook with you or a list on your phone and ...

Do you want to start working out or getting in shape? Do you want to be more alert and engaged in your daily life? Do you want to stop letting your depression and/or anxiety control you and instead be in control of it? Chances are you answered yes to at least one of those questions and maybe even all three. Now you might be thinking "so how to do I find the motivation to do those things while struggling mentally on a daily basis". I'm here to tell you, finding "the motivation" is a myth, especially for a lot of us who are struggling with a mental illness. I say "finding motivation" is a myth because some days the struggle to get yourself out of bed, showered and ready to face the day takes all the energy you have. So how in the world are you supposed to find motivation for something more?   Okay let's say you decide, I want to start working out to be healthier and in better shape. Great! Now what? Maybe you talk about it with a friend or fa...