Live like you're on vacation all the time. Or at least eat like you are.
Before heading to Africa for nearly 3 weeks with my Mom I set some clear and lofty goals. I wanted to be sure I felt top-notch in spite of leaving behind the comfort of my routine, my regular workouts, meals I'd planned and be ready to take on whatever happened while I was traveling. To travel really well, I've always believed you should have a good idea of what you are doing, where you are going, just to be safe and then let it all just unfold in front of you, unplanned. I don't live like that on the day to day, but returning home just a little changed from my trip I think I might have to start incorporating some vacation mentality into my "real life."What went down is this....
While I didn't fly from Portland to Johannessburg having reached that feel good nirvana I'd hoped, by the time I sank in to the hotel bath tub with a glass of Sauv Blanc that first night, it really didn't matter. From that moment on, I realized I was in charge of how I felt -- and I wanted to feel good. The next morning, day one, I felt better than I have in ages. For a few moments I worried that there was no way I could keep that bliss for long -- but I did.
And I'm not willing to let it go now.
What did I do differently?
I woke up ready to keep my mind open to new experiences. Sure, many days are sleep, eat, work, repeat - but no day is exactly the same. What new can you see? At what can you look differently? At who?
Breakfast was fueling and yummy. I love fruit. I ate a big bowl of it before anything else. Enjoying my hot coffee I thought about what else I might enjoy. Usually a small piece of toast with cheese, a slice of ham, a few raw nuts and a grilled tomato. That's not so hard to recreate at home. I just have to remember to take my time. Getting up just a few minutes early that usual will make sure I've time to sit and actually chew my food.
I kept busy. Although I didn't get much real exercise in per se, I was on the move from place to place, seeing the sites, not thinking about much other than the landscape ahead of me. By the time lunch arrived, I was ready. Instead of just eating because its "lunch time" I ate because I was hungry. Lunches were smaller meals, mostly salads with some veggies and meat. A small piece of yummy bread with jam or butter filled my craving for carbs. I often had a glass of wine or a cappacino.
And finally, I kept moving. Even a short stroll around the block after eating keeps things moving and help you digest without feeling loaded down or bloated. Try it.
It's possible I drank more water than usual - it was pretty warm - and I tried some new foods: game meats like Kudu, Impala sausage, crocodile stir fry, ostrich steaks. But I didn't change much else. Meals mostly consisted of meat, veggies -- just like at home -- but more bread and wine especially more bread -- and even that didn't matter. I felt great, fabulous, slender.
Every night we tried a bit of dessert. I shared bites with my Mum, rarely ate the whole thing -- but never passed it up. And still felt great.
So now what? Coming home was a shock to the system -- this new way was working! Does that mean my own way wasn't any more? Well, yes, I think so. I don't need a total over haul --- thank goodness, and I bet neither do you. But changing habits and making new ones is still damn tough!
Think about making some shifts instead. Just move things over a smidge.
Slow down at breakfast. Enjoy it. Make it good.
Get your mind off, your mind. Keep busy doing things you like as well as things you must.
Keep lunch satisfying but light. Have a little of everything; veggies, fruits, protein, fat and some carbs.
Don't stop moving. At least not for too long. A five minute brisk walk will do a world of good.
Keep an open mind. Life is more fun that way.
(And remember to watch for awesome.) Awesome is something you can feel -- believe it:-)
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