Back on Track

I’ve had an awesome summer! With trips to Spain, DC, California, Colorado, New York, and North Carolina to see friends and family, I loved every minute of it. But my well-being paid the price. Restaurant meals replaced home cooking and midday beers watching World Cup games became the norm. I couldn’t resist the gelato my son tempted me with in San Francisco or the key lime pie at the beach. My workout routine fell apart, and jet lag plus hotel beds wrecked my sleep.

Now that summer’s winding down, it’s time to get back on track. The research I did for my new book, Being Well, is helping me restart my healthy habits.

I’m finding ways to make workouts fun. The upside of missing so many bike rides? A backlog of rides with 80s music to catch up on. I’m scheduling walks with friends. It makes them more enjoyable and keeps me accountable. An 8:00 am walk Monday morning started my week off right. Thanks, Sheila!

Strength training is trickier. I haven’t found a way to make it fun yet, so instead I think about my future self. I want to keep traveling, which means staying strong enough to lift luggage into the overhead bin, hike up a mountain, and play paddle ball on the beach. I also celebrate every session, clapping and telling myself I’m a strong badass.

Eating healthy will be easier because I control my home environment. I buy mainly fruits and veggies at the store, so sweets and junk food aren’t around to tempt me. Nuts are the only snack; yogurt with berries is the only dessert. And I don’t mind the time cooking takes, because my husband’s health and my own matter too much to me. Viewed that way, cooking becomes meaningful. It’s something I want to do, not a chore I have to do.

I’m also prioritizing flexibility over perfection. Some days I won’t find time to exercise, or I’ll have dessert at an event. And that’s just fine. Instead of throwing in the towel, I’ll practice self-compassion, reminding myself that everyone slips up, and commit to making my next choice a better one.

I have several book talks and podcasts in the coming weeks for the Being Well launch, and it’s easy to feel the stress creeping in. But I understand the power of mindset. I can choose how I think about these events. Stress isn’t bad; it’s a signal that I care. So instead of worrying about whether things will go well, which causes anxiety, I’m reframing these events as a challenge to meet. When I feel anxious, I’ll remind myself that this is my body sharpening my focus so I can perform well. I’ll prepare as much as possible, and let the stress work for me, not against me. Wish me luck!