The Big Picture

I tend to get caught up in the day-to-day details of life.  While I appreciate and have learned when to take rest days, I also feel guilty if I miss working out in a day.  I get stressed out if one bad thing happens at work.  I feel frustrated when I turn to food for comfort.  I tend to lose sight of the big picture.

There are a few things I’ve learned over the years as someone who now understands that health and wellness are what structures my life.  When I had poor health, I felt bad.  Not just mentally, but physically I felt tired and sluggish.  When I work towards good health, I sleep better at night and can move faster, stronger and smarter.  When I take a few moments from the hectic nature of day-to-day life to reflect on my core health and wellness values, I find that I know the way.  There are a few key things that I go back to each time and thought worth sharing my ideas.  I’d be interested in hearing yours as well.

Instead of mayonnaise, I like to make my own
spread by combining greek yogurt, lemon juice,
hot sauce, pepper and salt.  

1.  Don’t eat foods I don’t like for the sake of eating food.  There are particular foods I don’t like and alternatives I’ve discovered to enjoy instead.  However, there are times I find myself in situations eating those foods I don’t enjoy.  Why is that?  Sometimes it’s just because it’s there and I’m too lazy to find or make an alternative.  Sometimes it’s a food that I know has negative influence on my health and fitness (aka processed foods!) but I “give in” to eating it.

I do know what alternatives I like and when I can remind myself to look at the big picture, I don’t eat foods for the sake of eating foods.  For example, I don’t like mayonnaise.  It’s also not the most healthy option.  I really like greek yogurt and with a few simple additions, it makes a great spread option over mayonnaise.

2.  Don’t give 10% to my workout.  If I’m not in the mood, don’t feel well, are sore or tired or something else, plan to pick back up tomorrow.  I don’t like excuses so I don’t skip working out “just because.”  I’ve also made myself work out when I am simply not in the right place and it’s more disappointing than skipping it.  If I need a rest day, I take it.  If I need to find an alternative to my training schedule, I find one.

I do make sure there’s not a bigger issue going on, like injury or mental fatigue.  As long as I only need a break for a day or two from my training schedule, I make sure to enjoy the break and give 110% effort next time.  I also try to work in more relaxed physical movement if possible.  I like to walk and do ab work and stretching.

3.  Don’t let the little things overwhelm me.  I tend to get bogged down in the details.  Learning to accept there are things out of my control is difficult. However, what I often fail to recognize is that there many things I do have control over and those decisions are the ones that matter.

 I make my own chicken salad with walnuts, dried
cranberries, apple, celery and grapes.  I spread my
greek yogurt mixture over a whole grain tortilla and enjoy!

I do try to take a deep breath every now and then.  Reflecting on current situations and looking at the big picture help guide my decisions.  If I don’t take the time to do this important step, then I let the little things get me down.  And that’s counterproductive.

At the end of the day, looking at the big picture helps me establish the core foundation I want to follow.  I can work through the day-to-day details of how to achieve that foundation.  I can also recognize that not everything will go as planned and that I have to be flexible in order to still meet my goals and objectives.  It takes practice, patience and trial and error.  What big picture mantras do you remind yourself of when the daily grind bogs you down?  Give your perspective so that others can learn and develop their own strategy!

Miss FitGab