January hasn't really gone according to plan for me. Perhaps it was the end of the school holidays... that last week really dragged on in our house. I am a person that thrives on routine. I love knowing when my kids are going to school, when I am working, when I can exercise, when I buy my groceries. I mean, I have washed my sheets on the same day every week for years - I am that predictable (it's Wednesday, if you were curious).
Summer nights are warm, I love having a gin and tonic on the deck with Anthony and letting the kids play. It's great to have fun and be flexible and enjoy a mid-week G&T but I know my personality type works better when I am in routine. I eat better, I sleep better, drink less and feel much happier.
But getting into the groove of 2023 hasn't been that smooth for our household. I've been sick twice this month, thankfully not COVID-19 but still frustrating, and it's slowed down my goals of being STRONG (see last month's blog for more on this https://www.wellspringpilates.com.au/post/who-do-you-want-to-be-in-2023
I really wanted to commit to 3x Pilates sessions a week and walk 10km. I have only made this goal once in January.
But it's time to dust myself off and focus on what I've been doing well. I've been eating Mediterranean style and it's delicious. I've been going to bed earlier (mostly, except when I get stuck into reading a fantastic book).
I'm still volunteering but winding back my commitment so I can focus on things in life that bring me joy and balance. What does that mean for this year? Hopefully taking some kids Pilates classes at the Kindy for my little one and reading groups for Year 1 for my eldest. Actively engaging with my kids as part of volunteering is a focus for me this year.
What about you? How do you feel your January has been? Sometimes we are full of New Year's resolutions and they fail quickly. If we don't have a plan and commit to these goals, it just won't happen.
Last year I read Atomic Habits by James Clear. He said:
…Meaningful change does not require radical change. Small habits can make a meaningful difference by providing evidence of a new identity. And if a change is meaningful, it is actually big.
The author used the example of the British cycling team in the early 2000s. In short, they were crap. But with the help of some super smart people, they focused on all areas of the sport to do better. The measures were out of the box – it wasn’t training harder or eating better. It was getting new pillows to maximise sleep, it was hiring a surgeon to educate the cyclists on how to improve hand-washing techniques to avoid getting a cold, it was painting the inside of the trucks white to see dust that could degrade the bikes… and so on.
Within a few years, the British cyclists were cleaning up at the Olympics, Tour de France and were a force to be reckoned with. All because of lots of 1% improvements and the cumulative impact as a result. On its own, what’s a new pillow or washing hands? But all together, these 1% changes lead to massive improvements in performance.
What about you? Is there a 1% improvement you could make this year? Could you:
cut out the snacks/alcohol/takeaway a certain number of days per week?
walk/run/swim that bit further?
put your phone away at 7pm?
pick up the phone and call a friend instead of sending a text?
There are so many ways we can improve our lifestyle. I'm here to get you to come to Pilates - you know you will feel better after you've moved your body. I'm already hearing clients say at the end of their class
"I was tired today and nearly didn't come. But I'm so glad I did. I feel so much more energised now".
Exercise can be a challenge to stay committed to - work comes up, kids get sick. It's not always easy.
But there's a way I can help.
Every body needs a buddy.
This is how you stay committed to your movement regime. And I will be your BUDDY! I will message you if you don't come to class. It's a gentle nag, I like to think! I'm trying to keep you on track and feel better.
See you in the studio Wellspringers,
Love Holly
xx
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