By now I am getting the hang of things and I am feeling more energy I m even sleeping a little more and waking one or two times less in the night. I can feel the impact of the exercise in y arms and legs and in my skin. I have seen some adverse reactions and strange faces pulled by the food on people’s aces at night. Leonnie doesn’t like salad or indeed most fruit and vegetables but I am serving them up anyway because a body needs more than refined carbs and chocolate to thrive. Her headaches and lethargy scream at me that she needs nourishment as we are what we eat. The food is our fuel.
I have a little pain and aching in places. This is a reinforcement that these muscle groups do exist so it is a “sweet pain”; not too much but a sign my body is doing what it should do. In my mind I se my breathing improving and my body lengthening and strengthening.
My aim is NOT to resemble a supermodel, rather I am striving to be the best ME I am able to be. I am loving myself and nurturing myself in the way I have nurtured everyone else for as many years as I can remember.
TODAY:
- I will write in my journal: I will begin writing five things I am grateful for in my morning journal. The first thing I am writing is the simple fact that “I can breathe!” Being grateful lifts me from any negativity and reinforces my chosen way forward in thought and in deed.
- I will meditate: his morning I will mediate as I walk, in silence: no music, no friend, no mobile phone. I will allow this quiet to still the constant commentary that runs through my mind and my life. I will be aware of my breathing as well as the sounds and sights around me. I will take 40 minutes outside before the day turns into a humid summer furnace and take in the small things that so delight my soul and being.
- I will do 15 minutes of yoga: I begin with breathing and bringing my awareness back to breathing and do my salutation to the sun and add a lunge sequence. I keep the flow of my breath even and steady.
- I will do 40 minutes of strength and stretching, following the flow that has developed in the past 3 days.
I WILL EAT:
- ON WAKING: A glass of hot water with a squeeze of lemon.
- BREAKFAST: I will fry half chopped onion and 1 minced chili in 1 tbs virgin olive oil over medium heat until soft and not brown ( 2-3 mins). I will whisk 2 eggs with salt nd paper in a bowl and add them to the fried onion, chili mix and stir until almost set. I will then add 1 chopped tomato an a small handful of coriander leave and serve immediately.
- LUNCH: I will mix 50gm shredded white cabbage, 50 gms shredded lettuce, 200gm cooked and drained black beans, 1 diced tomato, i/4 cubed avocado, 10gm shredded chicken ( with no skin) 1 tbs olive oil salt and paper, and topped with 1 diced tomato mixed with a tbs chopped onion, handful of coriander leaves – minced, a dollop of minced chili and salt and pepper. This last I blend in a spice grinder and just put on top of the salad. YUMMMMM.
- DINNER: Fish kebab including courgette, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes serves on a bed of finely shredded white cabbage drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
- TREAT: Watermelon frappe. Blend several pieces of peeled watermelon with ice until smooth and serve immediately. This can be done with any seasonal fruit and is light and delicious and healthy.
CHALLENGE: Today I will count my blessings!! There are so many gifts to be thankful for that I often overlook in the business of my daily life especially when I am feeling stressed out and sorry for myself. This life change is all about empowerment. I am taking charge of my life and this manifests in my eating choices and my exercising and thinking positively can help me achieve all my life goals. Above all I am grateful for my body,a nd that I am able to move and exercise and make these choices. I am enjoying this journey into health and nourishment and fitness.
INDULGENCE
I will brew two cups of green tea and pour this into a small spray bottle which I will store in the fridge. It is over 80F degrees today and 90% humidity and this will continue for a couple of days – at least! I will enjoy a few spritzes on my flushed and overheated skin after I exercise. this tea is rich in anti-inflammatory agents and soothes the skin leaving one rejuvenated and refreshed rather than hot and winded.
