Get the FREE Wellness Pack What is it?

Self-care is the rudder when chaos threatens

Posted by Cheryl Miller on Jun 2nd, 2009 | Leave a comment home title

Mom’s in rehab recovering from a stroke, dad’s at a nursing home angry that we won’t let him stay alone…..that’s the backdrop for my successful self-care program this week.

Often when the winds of chaos and worry blow in to my life, my self-care routine suffers. This time it’s been different. I have a deep belief in the powers of wellness and self-care to heal all wounds…self-care is kind of like the balm of Giliad. So I’m sticking with it. It’s my rudder.

When I get serious about something (like self-care or fitness), I follow through – even when life hands me a little chaos. And I’ll bet you do too.

Here’s a peek at my fitness routine since Friday. (Note: I’ve been walking a dog for years – that hasn’t changed. That’s my base. Everything else listed below has been added to provide intensity, cross-training, and strength.)

Friday: walked Toby 60 minutes, yoga for 35 minutes (felt very virtuous about adding yoga in after years of abstinence)

Saturday: walked Toby 60 minutes, strength training (lower body) 40 minutes, exercise bike (hills) 10 minutes high intensity, sauna (pooped – went to bed at 8:30 to read; slept hard and long)

Sunday: strength training (upper body) 40 minutes, water wheel rowing machine 5 minutes (felt like 15 min.), sauna, walked Toby 60 minutes (felt tired and a little stiff but not as tired as Saturday)

Monday: walked Toby 60 minutes (felt my body needed a break from heavy lifting)

Tuesday: didn’t do any fitness (raining and had a sketchbook journaling class in the evening)

Wednesday: will go back to the gym for lower body strength training, exercise bike, and walking Toby.

Here’s what I’ve been eating: veggies veggies, veggies….and fruit, fruit, fruit. Today a colleague joined several of us for lunch so I broke from my healthy eating routine an ordered brisket and fries (oh my!) If that shocks you…..let me tell you what I had for breakfast and dinner. For breakfast I had an apple, a fig, 2 prunes, and a small handful of walnuts. Then for dinner I had a simple vegetable soup I made in minutes – more on that another day. The point here is there is room for variance from a strictly healthy diet. I didn’t feel at all guilty because I knew I’d balance it out across the day.

Your Turn: What been your fitness routine so far this week? How’s it going? How’s the healthy eating going? Any challenges or successes to share? Please share at the comment link below.

Print This Post |