Okay, so let’s be real, too busy is a pretty shit excuse. I’m not too busy, I just haven’t prioritised it, and sometimes that’s ok too.
So recently I feel I have put on a bit of weight and I’m not spending as much time on myself in terms of leading a healthy lifestyle. I got into a good routine a couple of months ago, where I was tracking my calories, increasing my non exercise active time and bullet journaling. That’s all gone out the window. Although I have been busier, I guess upon reflection, ‘too busy’ is definitely not the reason, as I’m averaging 4 hours a day of screen time – shocking!
If I’m being honest, it’s down to motivation, and where I’m at mentally with it. I know I want to get back on track, and I absolutely plan on doing so next week, but isn’t that always the case? In order to combat the slump, I am going to set some goals – and I guess if they’re written here, I have to do it right? I’m going to set goals that are measurable but also not based around my body image, no scales or measurements this next month.
Starting Monday, I aim to will achieve these 3 things weekly:
Hit 70,000 steps a week.
Limit calories to 16,000 a week (with a focus on protein intake)
5 things, I will do, to ensure a positive start to my week…
5 ways to make
Walk the dog
Before work, I head out with my partner and our dog, Costa. A half hour or so of fresh air first thing really makes the difference for my productivity and positivity for the day. Usually my alarm rings and I have a right battle with myself over whether to take the extra half hour in bed or not, if I do so, I always always regret it. Especially now the mornings are lighter and the weather is dry, I’ll pop my coat on and start the day with a short walk, without my phone.
Costa the Cavapoo
Coffee and a singsong
Firstly, does any day start without coffee? And if these days exist, they are unknown to me! So I usually have my protein porridge first thing and have a coffee in takeaway mug for the car journey and queue enough songs to get myself through my 22 minute journey to work. Quite often I go for something I can belt out, feel good tunes or often I search ‘happy hits’ on Apple Music and trust I’ll get the good stuff. Below is another of my go to playlists, nothing beats Miley for me.
Initiate 3 positive conversations
So, I can’t say this is a tried and tested method but something I am going to start now. I will try an initiate at least 3 feel good conversations, so whether I ask a pupil their favourite thing about the weekend, or a friend something they are looking forward to most, I am going to try and focus on the good stuff. This will be a mindset shift for me, as often I spend my mondays moaning about it being monday, or about being tired, or being in work. I think maybe, if I encourage more positive conversations, not only will it help my mood, but hopefully help others too!
Have a colourful lunch
Now I don’t mean I am going to go out of my way to make sure all 7 colours of the rainbow feature, but what I do mean is, it won’t be just beige. Maybe, I’ll just use a bit of side salad to make it look a bit posh if I’m rushed for time, but I’d like a plate of food that looks fresh and healthy. Even though 50% of my diet is currently chocolate (I blame Easter and a birthday), I do really enjoy a good salad, so I think I’ll try and do that, some meat, some eggs, and maybe some of my favourite Moroccan couscous for good measure.
So, I suppose I should explain what that means incase any of you aren’t totally obsessed with Mrs Hinch?! A ta-da list is like a to-do list but backwards! Keeping a list of all things you’ve achieved during the day. On days when I am not totally organised (most mondays) it’s a great way of having a list of accomplishments and to keep motivated throughout the day. Science tells us ticking off something on a to-do list releases small amounts of dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure or reward. So do not let an unorganised monday take those dopamine bursts away from you, write a tada list – and even tick them off instead!
Let me know if you have any feel good song suggestions for next weeks Coffee and Sing Song sesh!
So hopefully by now, you’ve read the intro, learnt a little more about me and now you want to know the real interesting stuff right?
I’m a female athlete who has recently lost her ‘way’. I don’t really know what I mean by that, but to put it in simple terms, I don’t feel like I have any answers lately. During the first lockdown I worked hard on myself, getting myself into shape, training hard and fell in love with the process. I guess since returning to team sport, there is less opportunity to do so, time is stretched (understatement) and I don’t feel like I have the time to commit to myself like I used to (or the energy to do so).
I wanted to start this blog so I can share a bit on how I feel, set some goals and give my something to feel accountable to. After all, you are 42% more likely to achieve a goal if it’s written down. It also gives me opportunity to reflect, engage with likeminded people and hopefully become part of a community that pushes each other. Don’t get me wrong, I have an exceptional support network, but given the opportunity, I make everything about me anyway, so maybe this will take some load off them!
Let’s start small, with a plan for the following week, I am still in competition phase for the next 3 weeks, this coming week we have our last international match of the current tournament, and then 1 club match to do, then I’ll press reset.
So for now, the aim for this week is:
Aim to blog twice more after this one.
Get some ‘extra’s’ in; including a mobility session on Wednesday.
Play for ‘her’
“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her.”
