You can eat cookies. They are yum.
Gym clothes are laid out. Runners are ready. All set for a morning run. But it is a bit cold outside. And
it might rain. And I have a long day… Alarm goes off. I don’t even open my eyes as I stop the beeping.
The run never stood a chance. I roll over for more sleep. “I’ll go tomorrow” I say to myself. A feeling
of guilt seeps into the pit of my stomach. I cuddle into the warm blankets to try to make myself feel
better. Maybe tomorrow…
Have you ever felt like this? Chances are you have. Most of us have tried to “be healthy”, exercising
or eating the green vegetables we were always force fed as kids. But it isn’t easy. And sometimes
the pull of a sleep in or a chocolate biscuit is too great. Does this make us weak, horrible people? Of
course not! The key is finding balance, through exercise and healthy food that you actually enjoy (it
might sound impossible, but it can be done!). Once you find some, it will be a whole lot easier to get
up early in the morning!
If you want to get in some exercise and healthy eating but not hate life while you do, join us in the
forums for some tips and ideas.
Monday January 6th, 8-10pm AEST. And you can guiltlessly eat chocolate during it if you want to!
I hope I'm not detracting from the conversation that was originally set out beforehand. But I thought it'd be poignant to mention my own desire to get active again and get outside a lot more than I have been in roughly the past 10 weeks.
A lot has happened in my life between now and the last time I was properly physically active. It all began with running and I had gotten right into that last year for some time. I was making some great progress in terms of my fitness and my overall mental and physical health was at its best. That is not to say it still isn't now at all. In fact nowadays I believe the way I think in terms of my own positive attitude was a consequence of exericising as much as I had. And really it was quite instrumental in helping me get through all the adversity I had endured when living back at home with my parents. But sadly, since I had moved out of home a number of times last year I haven't gotten around to going for a walk, run or even gotten to the gym. I don't feel however that I need to go to the gym, I can get all the exercise I need outside. And like last time, I fear as though the novelty of going to the gym will wear off. Maybe this time around I just need to change things up a little bit? Do different things and not go to the gym time and time again and do nothing else.
Again, I apologise if I have derailed the conversation. What I had to say seemed relevant...
Hey @Jake ! Welcome! No need to apologise, this topic is all about being healthy and staying motivated and how it makes you feel- so you're right on track!
We were saying earlier how changing routine can totally throw out your health habits. But you're right, there are so many ways to get active out there, not just the gym. (plus it can be super pricey!). I like funny little things like walking to the park and going on the swings or playing basketball on a school court. Also, organising regular things can be good like a team sport or a regular footy session with friends?
Alrighty guys so coming to the end of the sesh, What can you do or plan now to make changes?
I'm going to work on breaking things down into bite sized pieces and try to stick to them.
I plan to hopefully gain some control and strengthen my willpower 😛
I'm going to try Magga's self-complimenting idea to improve my emotional/ mental health - I love that!
I'm also going to plan to make healthier choices for snacks. Rather than having one of my mum's yummy pieces of Christmas baking I'll have a piece of fruit first and then a biscuit if I'm still hungry 🙂
I'm also going to try and plan a healthy routine I can implement for when uni goes back (my work schedule is a bit to erratic for routine atm)
Thanks so much for a good session guys! It was awesome to hear everyone's ideas on what it means to be healthy, the benefits and how to keep it up. There were some awesome insights and tips, and I hope you're all feeling motivated now! Here's a summary of tonight:
- What is your idea of being healthy?
Looking after your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing as well as social and spiritual health.
Being able to participate in all of the things you want to.
The way you treat your body and mind, so you feel good!
Balance and moderation.
- What kind of things do you do to stay healthy?
Physical activity, fruit and veg, water.
Staying socially connected- family and friends.
Challenge the negative talk!
Taking time for yourself.
- What do you find difficult about developing or maintaining your health?
Finding the time and motivation, particularly for exercise and healthy eating.
Breaking regular routines.
Finding exercise and healthy food you enjoy- and choosing them over tempting alternatives.
- How can you overcome these challenges?
Setting realistic goals.
Rewarding yourself.
Planning or not planning- whichever works best for you!
Reminders and routines.
- What are your benefits of healthy diet and exercise?
Feeling great!
Feeling physically fit and mentally fit- more confident, alert and positive.
Being able to take on challenges.
Inspiring others to be healthy and to feel good too!
- How can you keep yourself motivated to be healthy?
Doing things you enjoy!
Reading about health and fitness.
Reminding yourself of the benefits.
- What can you do or plan now to make changes?
Make realistic, bite-sized goals.
Self-compliments!
Set healthy routines.
Be kind to yourself, relapses can happen.
See you next time!
Thanks @delicatedreamer ! I really enjoyed the session, thanks for contributing and making it awesome. I need to go and start planning some goals!
I'm going to start by making sure I get in some exercise tomorrow. Just something gentle because I've had a cold. Then each night this week I will check my schedule and if I have time, plan to do some the following day 🙂
@delicatedreamer routines can be really hard over holidays, I like the realistic goal of waiting until uni goes back. Also like the idea of the balance with the cooking- fruit and cookies!
I agree @Bee . I need small steps to keep me in it for the long haul. And I should probably be prepared to have some relapses- because I knw it will happen!
Yep, small steps makes it more manageable 🙂
Ah these relapses, yep they crop up when they please, and sometimes at the most inconvieniant times 😛
Yeah I know right it is so true about physical health stuff and mental health stuff being related. Like if I don't exercise I get down or anxious, then I don't want to leave the house , so I don't exercise, etc etc. aye carumba.
And yes shopping absolutely counts as exercise! 😄
MEntal health:
do that smiling mind app 😄
write in my journal
pray and read the bible and shizz
keep a calender
have lots of social commitments and things to look forward to
chill in my garden
HEalthy things I do are just eating in general, man I hate it when people crap on about skipping carbs etc. though because dude for me just eating is like ULTIMATE HEALTH attack as I struggle with my eating issues, hate being guilted about my food intake.
Physically again exercise can be a bit of a trigger with my body/eating issues and also heaps my anxiety, but I learnt how to longboard this summer awwwwwwww yeah.
Hey @leo-dicaprio ! We spoke earlier about the words balance and moderation being really important in health, not being about all or nothing- which is important for both food and exercise. It sounds like you are on the right track with long-boarding, because the best thing is that you clearly enjoy it! So awesome.
Hey guys, welcome to the first Getting Real session of the year! I'm Magga, and facilitating this session with me will be rt262 and Rosie 🙂
In this session, we’ll be talking about being healthy, and discussing what that means and what it looks like in everyday life. Obviously everyone has their own definition of health, and one person’s idea of health may be completely different – even opposite – to someone else’s…so I think this will be a really interesting session!
It’s not just about ‘staying fit’- staying healthy is about feeling mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. Keep your own mental and emotional health in mind tonight! Please feel free to not participate if it's going to be a) triggering for you, b) if it goes against advice given to you by health professionals or c) you don't want to!
If you are feeling like you need someone to talk to after participating in any of this, please contact a one of these services: KHL (1800 551 800) or Life Line (13 11 14) - both are available 24/7.
Alright, first question! What is your idea of being healthy?
My idea of being healthy is knowing that I've moved and fed my body well, as long as I've exercised and eaten moderately healthy, then I feel good.
I have to work harder of feeling as though I have healthier mental health. Taking time out for myself each day helps though, turning off electronic devices and either reading or writing helps.
