Eating Right and Staying Fit … So Crucial, Yet So Hard

This week’s topic is a sensitive one for many people.
 
Let me start with something we discovered in our support groups last year: Whenever we focused on nutrition and exercise, we found that we actually raised the caregivers’ stress levels. That’s NOT what we want to do! (Remember last week, when I said participants in our breathing meditation classes reported that they got their best sleep on the nights of those classes? This was the complete opposite.)
 
Why does simply talking about nutrition and exercise give caregivers so much stress? I think it’s because caregivers know they can improve their health and wellness by eating right and staying fit. They know what they need to do and how to do it, but actually doing it is hard. I know … because it’s hard for me, too.
 
Still, we can’t ignore a topic that’s so crucial to our health and well-being. So, how do we talk about nutrition and fitness without raising our stress levels? Maybe we can start by discussing goals.  
 
The key to achieving goals is to find your “why,” start slowly, and keep making progress. In this case, finding your “why” is easy. Balanced nutrition and physical activity are important to everyone’s health, and it’s important for caregivers to remain healthy and strong as they provide support to those in their care.
 
Starting slowly may be a bit harder. If you’re thinking of running, for example, and you’ve never been a runner, you might be more successful if you start out by walking. Then add distance and speed as you progress. You might work your way up to a 3K run and then a 5K. Maybe even a marathon!
 
Or, if your goal is to lose 40 pounds, start small. For me, I had been an emotional eater all of my life, and becoming a caregiver just made it worse. When I decided to lose weight, I started by cleaning out the fridge. Then, I focused on smaller portions.
 
Practicing mindfulness also has helped me. Mindful eating involves engaging all the senses, serving sensible portions, savoring small bites and chewing thoughtfully, not skipping meals, and stopping before you feel full.
 
Remember, slow and steady can often lead to great accomplishments, and we’re all works in progress. These things take time, and we should expect setbacks along the way. They’re part of the process.
 
Set your goals. Start small. You can do it. We're IN this together.