I can’t help but wonder, as I sit here sipping my glass of Pinot Noir and fondly thinking of the chocolate chip cookies on my counter, how I plan to attack this New Year in regards to my health and fitness. Although the cookies are gluten-free, homemade with minimal trash, making them a “better” option, it does still make them a “cheat treat”. I have struggled with my “sugar dragon” for years and have managed to somewhat put some reins on the head of the beast. But, alas there are cookies on my counter. So, I tell myself that I will do better tomorrow and start anew just like the New Year….
Here is the problem with that. I said the very same thing last year at this time….only then I was suffering from severe back and nerve pain from some bulging and herniated discs. There wasn’t any specific injury or incident that happened to me.. just life I suppose. Working as a therapeutic body-worker, hitting the gym to stay strong for my work and trying to complete what seems like a never-ending home remodel just got to be too much for this ol’ gal.
I decided that what I needed to do was take a step back and look at where I could really improve in my life. What I found lacking the most was self-care. Sure, I was working out, but I wasn’t really doing anything to repair or rejuvenate. I immediately decided to consult with my chiropractor about my options to resolve this incredible and on most days debilitating pain. I was also determined to start doing yoga on a regular basis.. but which type? There are so many styles of yoga! I increased my bodywork sessions with my massage therapist to 2 visits a month. I looked at how I was going to modify my workouts.. sometimes this meant doing something completely different than what was on the board for the day. With the help of my coach, we put together some very specific exercises to help rebuild my strength and honestly my confidence in the gym. All of these components combined proved to be what I needed to avoid surgery, which was exactly where I was headed if I had continued the way I was going.
I look back now and am so grateful to be relatively pain-free. I am still working to rebuild my strength as well as using Restorative yoga to calm my central nervous system and retrain my muscles and fascia to “chill out” on rest days. I no longer have crazy nerve pain down my leg and into my foot and that has been such a blessing.
Still, I ask myself, “how did I let myself get to this point of complete physical breakdown?” Sure, I was lacking in the “self-care” department, but also and probably most importantly, I wasn’t feeding my body properly. My nutrition and eating habits were sub-par. A lot of times I would eat something quick like a protein shake, bar, cookie, etc… or not eat at all. I knew what I should be doing and eating.. heck, I had already done “The Zone” diet successfully in previous years. What I think I lacked was the commitment to myself and the discipline to the plan. If I had maintained my diet lifestyle, cuz let’s be honest here.. your “diet” does need to be a lifestyle, I likely would have been able to ward off or at least repair my injuries sooner. I am not going to beat myself up though, I am simply going to learn my lesson. I am going to commit to my health and fitness because by doing so I am committing to myself, to my ability to stay working in my field, staying active with my family and dog, and to staying helpful to others around me. I am not going to care about what I see on IG or FB about the next “get skinny quick” pill or program. Because I know first hand that what it takes is the “doing” and the “showing up” for myself and others. There isn’t anything or anyone that can do it for you. There aren’t any supplements to help supplement you out of a bad diet. There is just simply you and your commitment to living the best life you can and loving the rewards you reap from the work you put in. When we do this, when we commit to ourselves and put in the work, we don’t have to worry as much about the chocolate chip cookie on the counter.. because you can take it or leave it and either way, you know you will be fine because you have put in the work. Let’s not try to re-invent ourselves.. let’s just re-invest in ourselves. Not another “New You” promise.. but an “Improved you” promise.
Be well friends!
Contributor:
Rachell White, LMT, MCP, 200 hr RYT
Owner of Rogue Roots Massage & Bodywork
Business Manager of CrossFit:BlueDog