#14-16: Tools for A Better and Healthier YOU!

44 Things That Spark Joy a.k.a. Sh*t That Makes Me Happy:

#14-16: Tools for A Better and Healthier YOU!

I decided in my 44th year and in light of the fact that we are all (still) looking for things to spark joy in our lives to gather 44 things I’ve found along the way this past year and share them.

Well here we are again folks... Is it wave 2, 3 or 75 of Covid? I’ve lost track. People are increasingly tired and the Covid fatigue is plaguing us all. We are feeling all of it and the struggle is real..again. It’s like we are starting from day one of the pandemic yet also it’s this weird feeling of déjà vu like we have somehow gone through all of this before… because we have. The rules are changing on us daily and we are bracing ourselves for impact. Mask mandates are coming back. In person school has started but how long will it last and at what cost to everyone involved? Businesses from all industries are trying to keep up with what policies they need to follow and what rules they need to enforce. Everyone is affected.

As the fall season approaches (and sooner at my house because yes… Larry had me decorating for Halloween at the beginning of August. I know, I know… don’t even say it. I am powerless to the Holiday Enthusiast) we are not only facing these Covid related challenges but entering into that predictable holiday slump where we bundle up, let ourselves get a little fluffier and then emerge on December 31st like a phoenix rising from the ashes declaring our New Year’s resolutions at the top of our lungs. We vow to change our bad habits and start working on our summer bodies just in time for that upcoming vacation. Unfortunately from now until we make those declarations, the bad habits that we get into will not only affect our physical health but our mental state as well.

Let me start by saying that I am not trying to schlepp any products or make any money. I do not claim to be an expert on anything. I am not a doctor, a naturopath, a nutritionist or a fitness expert. I don’t subscribe to the idea that one size fits all or that you have to be pencil thin to be considered “healthy.” I don’t want to coach anybody (I have enough people to take care of in my household already), be a social media influencer or start a fitness empire. I am here simply to share my experience, spark a little joy, maybe inspire someone to feel better about themselves and share the tools I have found that work for me. If you have questions, I may or not be able to answer them. Again, I only know what works for me.

Years ago before kids, we had gym memberships off and on at various locations. When we had kids it became harder and harder to get to the gym and if I did – then would I get a spot in the daycare facility? Sometimes yes, sometimes no and then sometimes the kids refused to go to the daycare all together. So there I was physically at the gym but watching my own kids, not working out and watching the other parents who had successfully coaxed (maybe bribed) their kids into going to the daycare getting their workout in. It wasn’t working. I wanted to find something I could do from home. I had a couple of sets of old Beachbody DVDs that I had purchased way back in the day before apps were invented. When technology improved and I was looking for something post kids, I realized there was a Beachbody app. They were at home workouts, on demand, when it was convenient for me. There were a wide variety of programs to choose from and new ones coming out all the time. This was what I was looking for.

A wise friend of mine jokingly said to me, “Beachbody works if you work it” and he’s right. It’s a program that targets your health from a few angles. (Again, I am not selling anyone anything – there are many, many apps and programs out there.) At first I just tried their workout videos. I saw some results from working through their programs but it wasn’t transformative. Then I realized that nutrition was the other piece of the puzzle that would really make a difference. I thought, well I eat healthy well-rounded meals and I don’t drink… so why am I working out and still feeling so-so? Well as one of my favorite trainers on the app says… results are made in the kitchen. So I did more research, picked a meal planning guide and tried a few of their supplements. I saw more results but…

Then I realized I still didn’t FEEL great and wasn’t sleeping well and I thought… could it something else? Could it be that something medically needed to be addressed? So first I saw ALL my doctors and when everything checked out normal, I found a good naturopath to take things one step further. She did all the bloodwork from vitamin levels to checking for hormone imbalances. There were lots of discoveries there and I now am the proud owner of what I refer as the “old lady pill case”… you know the two sided one with spaces for both day and night supplements? I know, you are so jealous.

In the process of all of the above, I also worked on my mental health. When I needed it, I saw my therapist regularly. Sometimes it’s something other than just physical issues that are making us feel bad so taking the time to address your mental health can also help. I urge everyone to find a therapist or counselor. More now than ever before we all need this. Talking to an impartial party will help and it will translate to you physically feeling better too.

After taking all these steps, I put in the work. Step by step I started to feel the change in myself in many ways. It took time. It took discipline. But I finally had more energy, less ailments and I felt better about myself. Some of those results you can’t measure with a scale or a measuring tape, it’s just a feeling but you will know when this happens.

My point is to sharing all of this is: if you don’t feel great mentally or physically then DO SOMETHING about it. There are so many things you can do to make a change even if you just start with something as easy as drinking more water. You have to make the change for yourself though. Don’t stay stuck where you are feeling bad. Life is too short! You can and will feel better and there are many ways to get there but it’s going to take time. YOU WILL GET THERE THOUGH! You just have to take the first step…now.

So here is my advice for what it’s worth…

1. Start with a plan

2. Find the tools

3. Find your motivation

4. Create a support system

Remember, it’s not going to happen overnight but it will happen. Take the first step because you are the only one that will be able to do this for yourself. As one of my lifelong mentors has said to me many times… You can do it!

My Favorite Tools:

#14: BODi Workout App:
I like the 21 Day Fix Real Time, 21 Day Fix Extreme, 10 Rounds, 9 Week Control Freak Off the Wall, XB Pilates, Xtend Barre and 4 Weeks for Every Body workout programs the best! These programs provide a combination of weights, cardio, boxing, yoga, and pilates. I also walk daily, garden, ride bikes with my kids and poorly play sports with them. I am still learning Chucky says but he’s a pretty good teacher according to him.

#15 BODi Ultimate Portion Fix Nutrition Plan

#16 BODi Shakeology Protein Powder and Recover Supplement