Fitness Friday: My 10 Daily Essentials

 

Happy Friday, friends!

 

I have given some thought to the daily practices that I believe are important for my personal health and happiness. These are all things I do or try to do every day. Things that give me joy, confidence and assurance that I am at least doing things for myself that are good and beneficial. Things that no one else can do for me.

 

So here you go:

 

1. “Thank You.”

Before I do anything in the morning,while still in bed, when I first open my eyes, I say “Thank You.”  For the restful sleep I’ve had (even if it perhaps wasn’t as perfect a sleep as I had hoped for, it was rest). For the great bed and warm house I live in. For the partner laying next to me.  But ultimately thank you for the gift of another day.

 

 

2. I stretch.

I gently but thoroughly give my whole body a good morning stretch. I always welcome the little pops, cracks and tugs that my body responds with. I am happy to know that all the parts are present and accounted for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. I drink a cup of warm lemon water.

I simply squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon (or bottled lemon juice if I don’t have fresh) into a cup of filtered water and zap it for a minute. Studies show (and expert friends have told me) that doing this first thing in the morning jumpstarts your body, wakens it gently and works to detoxify your system. I also find it very soothing and refreshing.

 

 

4. I take my vitamins and minerals.

I take various supplements that help sustain me. I know there are those that say that I don’t need them if I eat properly. I know that I don’t get everything that I need through my diet. So, I drink Shakeology (tropical strawberry is my favorite). I take my Isotonix. My constitution responds well to their activated B-complex and the OPC 3. One supplement that has helped with my sugar cravings is L-Glutamine. I take it several times a day on an empty stomach.

 

 

5. I need to be productive.

Now this an area that I struggle with. Completion of a project brings satisfaction. Let’s face it, some tasks are distasteful and necessary. I find that if I do at least one distasteful project a day, I feel better about myself. Try it, it helps. Honest.

 

 

 

 

6. I drink lots of water.

My goal is to do what Jack does and drink a gallon of water a day. I fall short of that, but I still cannot stress the importance of it for my body.  When I don’t drink enough I can see it in my skin. It starts to look like a dried leaf. When I am well hydrated my skin is smooth and has a glow. I drink water with fresh lemon but I also enjoy it with lime or cucumber. Refreshing and SO important! (For my Mom: Remember, water is your friend!)

 

 

 

 

7. I need lots of sleep.

But sleep often evades me and I struggle with that. I diffuse lavender and other essential oils, I make sure I have my fan going, and I try to quiet my brain before bedtime. It is very important to give your body what it needs, especially in the sleep department.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Tea.

It is one of my staffs of life. I love it. Hot, cold, it matters not. I love the act of having tea, of making tea.  It is something that I find very enjoyable and it is a necessity in my life.

 

 

9. Creative Expression.

I need to be creative. Music, movies, dancing, books, painting, photography, decorating, gardening, writing, cooking. I move my body physically. I put steps in on my Fitbit. Now that Spring is here I get out and enjoy the fresh air. Every day I have to have self-expression.  It feeds my soul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Love.

I need to love to be loved. I have a wonderful partner in my husband, Jack. He is a gift that I am thankful for every day. I have fantastic, glorious children, loving family and loyal, devoted friends. I am a blessed and grateful woman. At the end of the day, love is all we need.

 

Thank you for visiting today.

You are loved,