Welcome to Health Wealth Wednesday. A new series of posts from now until the end of the year where I focus on all things mental, physical, and emotional health.
My health has been one of my top priorities in 2019. I’ve never taken care of myself both mentally and physically like I have this year. Having not been athletic all my life, I’ve done the whole start-and-never-finish-diet-and-exercise-routine more times than I can count. What changed in 2019? I legitimately have no idea, but I’m not complaining. I’ve found an appreciation for what fuels my body and becoming physically strong. On top of that, the science behind both of those things + how our energy is directly impacted by this earth (because everything is energy) is beyond fascinating. As such, I thought this series would be the perfect way to share my newfound love.
What better way to get started than talking about The Start Today Brand’s Last 90 Days Challenge, led by The Hollis Co.? This is the third? year of the Challenge, but my first participating. The concept is simple: finish the last 90 days of the year with as much exuberance for your health as you do the first 90 days. In order to achieve this, there are 5 “tasks” to complete each day. The Five to Thrive.
- Wake Up An Hour Earlier. Can’t do an hour early? Stay up an hour later. New Mom and can’t sacrifice any of your sacred sleep? Friend, you should probably be sleeping now instead of reading this. The purpose is to simply carve out an hour of your day for yourself. To work out, meditate, read, take a bath, work on that side hustle, just sit in silence, whatever you need.
- Move Your Body for 30 Minutes. This is simple. Whether it’s a full-on workout routine or just a jump on the trampoline with your kids, move your body.
- Drink Half Your Body Weight in Ounces of Water. Again, self-explanatory. Hydrate!
- Give Up One Food Item. Give up one thing in your diet that you know is bad for you. The item will change each 30 days. Diet Coke? Boxed cookies? Burger King runs every Friday after soccer practice? No more.
- Practice Gratitude. Write down 5 things you’re grateful for each day. A fortifying cup of coffee? Write it down. New, healthy (yummy) recipe? Write it down. Sweet good mornings kisses from your toddler? Write it down.
I’m typing up this post 8 days into the challenge and honestly I haven’t done so great. I absolutely did not wake up an hour before my normal time when taking days off from work to hang out with my fam. I absolutely did not drink enough water. I absolutely ingested the food item I planned eliminating (refined sugar… birthday cake thooough..). With that said, every day is a new day. Every meal is a fresh start. Every minute is an opportunity to turn it around.
I thought it important to participate in my first Last 90 Days Challenge in what has been the most healthful, yet emotionally distraught, year of my life. I am strong. I am surviving. I am thriving. Not just for myself and my family, but for those who no longer can.
I’ll post an update in 30 days and let you know how it’s going. Days 7 and 8 have taken a turn for the positive, but dude there’s added sugar in everythiiiing.
Until next time…
