Disclosure: Thank you to adidas and Shopstyle Collective for sponsoring today’s post. All products were selected, chosen, and worn by yours truly.
My health journey has been exactly that — a journey. One that has ebbed and flowed, I’ve been equally consistent and inconsistent over the years, with a lot of “figuring out” what works and doesn’t work for me. As we approached a new year [hello 2023], my health was at the forefront of my mind for a few reasons:
- I was at the heaviest point I’ve ever been.
- I was not feeling well in my clothes. At all.
- We are getting more serious about trying for a baby.
I’m not going to lie – that last number had my mindset twisted for a while. In the back of mind, I found myself kept saying “why try too hard on your health when hopefully in a month or two you’re going to be craving [and indulging in] mashed potatoes and ice cream regularly?! I had gotten to an unhealthy mental place where I was telling myself that there was no point in trying to get healthier because if all things went well, I’d quickly be gaining it back because of a baby. Except then something clicked. Every month that has passed where pregnancy didn’t happen, I started thinking the opposite “what if I focused on getting as healthy as possible now so that my body is feeling as great as possible to step into that next phase of life?!”
And so here we are. A renewed mindset with new goals. This perspective shift of “what can I do today to take care of my health – physically and mentally to prepare me for a better tomorrow” has been one that I was very due for and am so thankful to have stepped into.
Let’s walk through what I’m doing this year to become my healthiest, happiest self.
Sports Bra [true to size] // Leggings [true to size, wearing in small] // Sneakers [true to size]
Before we dive in, let’s talk about the gear first [because we all know, that’s a very important step in the health journey process ;)] We joke about it, but I do think it’s true — when you have items to wear that you feel good in, it makes the entire process more enjoyable. I recently stocked up on new [bright, colorful] workout wear for Florida all from adidas. For years I have trusted their sneakers and leggings to keep me moving. If you’re also working on crushing some goals, set small goals and reward yourself with a new piece of workout gear — hint: start here.
Now, back to what I am prioritizing to feel my best.
Sneakers [true to size]
Tennis Tank [size up one, wearing in small but wearing in medium] // Sports Bra [true to size] // Leggings [true to size, wearing in small] // Sneakers [true to size]
Let’s talk about movement for a minute. If this is something I don’t prioritize I can easily end the day with 2,000-3,000 steps total. Working from a computer at home is one of the most sedentary jobs so I’ve learned over the years. Not only that but it makes my joints stiffer from sitting so long and I just feel so much more restless and tired all day. This year, I have prioritized one thing: walking. Whenever I have 15 minutes to an hour of time, I walk. For me, this looks like walking the dogs for 20-30 minutes in the morning, using my lunch hour to walk, and then usually a 20-30 minute walk with the dogs in the evening. Thankfully the Florida climate has helped make this goal easier to achieve, but even if you are somewhere cold and have access to a treadmill, you can get a great walk session in the morning, afternoon, or night. But, like with any new habit – you have to prioritize and schedule it into your day like you would a meeting. My lunch hour has become a non-negotiable “me time” to move.
Long Sleeve Top [true to size, wearing in small] // Printed Leggings [true to size, wearing in small] // Sneakers [true to size]
Long Sleeve Top [true to size, wearing in small] // Printed Leggings [true to size, wearing in small] // Sneakers [true to size]
Let’s talk about the other big piece of the puzzle – nutrition. If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that my diet is one of a four-year-old. Give me a giant bowl of macaroni and cheese, french fries, Doritos, and a giant pile of ranch and I’m good. It turns out, those carb-loaded foods that have no real nutrients don’t do an amazing job of keeping me feeling lean, strong, and healthy. Who knew 😉 This year, I’ve chosen to prioritize one thing – protein. My goal is to eat 100 grams of protein per day and what I’ve found is that when I complete this goal, I go through my day feeling satisfied, full, and not bloated. When you are focusing on getting protein-packed foods in, you don’t find yourself reaching for processed snacks and pastas because surprise: you won’t be getting any further on meeting your protein goal. Here are a few ways I get it in:
- Eating non-fat greek yogurt with blueberries, chia seeds, and natural peanut butter
- Adding collagen powder to my coffee every morning.
- Snacking on beef jerky, protein bars, and string cheese.
- Adding chickpeas and grilled chicken to salads
- Having well-rounded dinners of meat, a veggie, and a baked potato.
In addition to protein, I have been tracking my calories to be mindful of how many calories I’m consuming [I’ve found when I get out of this habit, I start to snack on random processed things throughout the day]. Knowledge is power [and eye-opening].
A few other things that have helped — I aim to drink 1/2 my body weight in water every day, I start my day by writing daily affirmations and intentions, and I have a few friends who are joining me in this journey that we have a text string going for motivation and support.
By doing the above for three weeks, I felt the best I had in a very [very] long time. Several pounds lost, a lot more energy, increased confidence in getting dressed, and a refreshed mind from fresh air outside and regular movement in my day. I’m currently working to get back on track after going on a cruise, hosting friends in Florida, and now being in Las Vegas for work, but like I know, it’s a journey and it will continue to be one. My biggest advice: figure out what works for YOU. Experiment with your own journey and have fun in the process.
Founder and creator of LIY, Erin turned her dream of a hobby blog into a full-time career which she now runs alongside the LIY team! When not in front of her computer screen [with a La Croix or wine in hand] or in front of a mirror taking mirror selfies, you can find Erin spending time on the water, cuddled up with her two pups and husband most likely watching the latest Shark Tank episode, or getting lost in an easy beach read.
