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Creating a wellness routine that works...
I'm not here for any of that 'new year, new me' rubbish, this is just the old me, making the effort to be a bit healthier and take care of my body more this year. Last year, I went on a calorie deficit diet and lost over half a stone, that I've as good as managed to keep off even though I've not been dieting for the last few months. I still have a little more weight that I'd like to lose, that I've just accumulated over the years having my two children, but mostly I just want to move my body more, eat better, and just feel healthier.
It's silly that I always ensure that my children are eating plenty of good foods and getting in their fruits and veggies, but I don't make the time to do it for myself too. As a family, I try and meal plan so we're all eating the same thing most of the time, so I definitely don't eat badly, I could just eat better!
Here are some of the easy and achievable things I'm incorporating into my weekly routine to take better care of myself this year.
Tracking my health
I think tracking everything when you want to stay on track with health & fitness is so important. I know for sure that I wouldn't have lost all of the weight I lost last year on a calorie deficit diet if I hadn't been tracking my calories daily via an app. It sounds so much work, but it's actually so quick and easy once you get into the swing of doing it, and it helps you to get into a really good routine knowing what you can and can't have.
I've wanted a smart watch for a while now, as I like knowing how many steps I'm doing daily amongst other things, and my new Apple Watch is the best little gadget! I think Apple Watches are the most popular kind of smart watch, but it's easy to see why when it easily hooks up to an iPhone. I have the Apple Watch SE 2023 with the starlight band and it not only looks pretty, but it does everything I need it to do. I also have the snoopy watch face and it's adorable, it's like having a tamagotchi if anyone remembers those?! My kids love it haha.
The workout app gives me lots of different ways to get my exercise in as well as giving me all the metrics I need to see how well I'm doing. It's also swim-proof if you like going swimming as part of your fitness routine. I really like that I can stay connected whilst doing workouts, something that isn't easy to do with a phone when you're mid-workout. I have such busy life running around after a toddler, doing school runs and working from home, so being able to send a text and take a call on the watch means I make far less excuses for getting my workouts in!
Moving my body moreΒ
I know moving my body and exercising is really important, but I find a very structured and strict schedule just isn't for me. It doesn't fit in with my life with two young children, and it doesn't fit in with working full time. Every time I've tried to stick to a workout schedule, I've ended up sacking it off due to feeling like it's too much weight on my shoulders - no pun intended! So this year I'm taking a more relaxed approach to work outs, where I'll try and fit them into my weekly routine wherever they will fit. I generally just want to make sure I'm moving more, even if this is as simple as getting my steps in, and ditching the car in favour of walking.
I also find cracking on the tunes through some headphones whilst working out or walking helps me, and makes it feel more like some chilled out me-time. I'm obsessed with my new Sony Noise-Cancelling Headphones, they are so so comfy and the sound quality is excellent. I was having real trouble with my airpods due to having a daith piercing and them feeling really uncomfortable, but these don't cause me any trouble at all and you'll find me using them daily!
Eating better food
As I mentioned in my 2024 goals post, this year I just want to generally take better care of my body. Not just by moving more, but by eating better too. I'm terrible for being too busy running around on a morning to have breakfast, so I'm making more effort to make myself a good breakfast, even if it's after I get home from the school runs. My go-to at the minute is a smoothie made with frozen fruit & yogurt, but I really like overnight oats and porridge too. I find meal planning makes life a lot easier (and cheaper!) so I'm making a weekly meal plan at the start of every week, incorporating lots of meals that are good on calories and full of veggies. I swear by the Pinch of Nom books, I love that they give you the calorie count and they're always so tasty.
Getting more sleep
I think sleep is such an important part of your routine, but it's easier said than done when you have children. I still have a one year old, so there's lots of nights where he may be teething or poorly, where we have trouble with him sleeping or settling, and obviously that then disrupts my own sleep. However, I know most nights I actively choose to stay up later, and I intend on making more of an effort to get into bed a bit earlier and get cosy with a good book, so that I'm feeling sleepy much earlier than usual! It's mostly bad habits that I have formed, and they are easily changed with the right mindset.
Are you thinking about creating a better wellness routine this year?
Disclaimer: This is a paid partnership with Very.
