Passion Project | Wellness Journey

At the beginning of last week I decided to open up a private Instagram account I had started sometime last year to document health and fitness related stuff: https://www.instagram.com/ae_wellness/. I had used it for awhile after my blood clotting issues and then it stalled - well, I stalled - my focus being pulled in different directions as usual.

But I'm ready to do something not "as usual" for me.

You might remember how in the post about our first Story Camp event Katie remarked that it was a game-changer of a weekend. Even though this is not directly related I feel like that was truly a springboard for opening up a new chapter for me. I honestly have no idea how the actual story will unfold but a spark was ignited and this focus on health + wellness feels directly in alignment to living my best story.

This adventure into wellness is so much about owning my own story. About taking care of myself. About getting to know myself better along the way.

My hope in making this Instagram accountpublic is to make myself a little more accountable and give myself the opportunity to share this journey alongside any of you out there who might want to work on this in your own life right along with me.

I'm calling this a wellness journey because I want it to be more than just fitness and food - I also want to include the spirit (mind & heart) portion as well.

I'm including a bunch of instastories (click on the circle icon with my picture on my profile to view any stories that might be available - this is via the mobile app) on that account where I'm sharing more of my overall story. I'm trying to include a morning story as I start my walk or other morning exercise each morning, and then including other topics like barriers, doing the things we don't want to do to be able to do the things we want to do (inspired by Courtney Carver's @bemorewithless upcoming book Soulful Simplicity), meals, etc.

THINGS THAT ARE WORKING FOR ME RIGHT NOW

1. Getting up early and walking or following the Couch To 5K program.

I've had good intentions to start this habit for awhile. I've been setting my alarm and waking up but not actually getting up - translation - I've been picking up my phone and scrolling and then either resetting my alarm for a different time or going back to sleep. I seem to have turned a corner this week on this front and have been getting up and out by 6am. I'm a morning person so this isn't the biggest hurdle I face and I know that I feel good when I begin my day with some activity. What I'm doing right now is the Couch To 5K program alternating with walking. I have a 3 mile loop that is my regular path. I listen to podcasts while I'm walking or walk/running via the Couch To 5K app.

I think getting up early all last week and moving my body first thing was such an awesome way to start the day - it's definitely something I want to continue long term.

2. Varying my activity but making sure I'm doing at least one active thing each day. Making one healthy choice and then making another and another. It's amazing when I think about how sedentary I've been recently. I'm combining walking, swimming, yoga, Barre3, and biking right now.

3. Being open to trying new stuff. I signed up and tried a Barre3 class last week and loved it. I was totally nervous to go but super motivated to make it happen. I love that it's harder than I work by myself and I love that it's with other people in a class environment (they also have an online option as well). I've been two more times since that first visit (including a 6AM class) and I can tell it's something that is going to make a difference for me.

4. Gluten + dairy free and an overall emphasis on whole foods. Following food and menu suggestions from Real Food Whole Life, Danielle Walker (Against All Grain) and The Body Book (definitely interested in the topic of balancing hunger hormones with Kelly Leveque).

5. Listening to the Feel Good Effect Podcast. So good. From Robin at Real Food Whole Life. It was on that podcast that I learned about the concept of balancing hunger hormones (episode 003). Do you have other health and wellness podcasts that you enjoy? I'd love to add some more to my list.

6. Taking it one day at a time, one choice at a time. I want this to become my lifestyle not something I burn out from. I can do this.

If you'd like to follow along with my journey and participate in the larger community who are working to make wellness/health a priority you can join me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ae_wellness/

Let's do this together.

PS | I'm also planning to post updates here from time to time about things I'm learning, things that are working + not working, etc.