Do the Next Healthy Thing

What do you do when all your healthy habits go out the window?

This is me. Today. Here’s a little background:

I’ve got a knee injury. I keep thinking it’s healing, so I test it out with some speedy walking or little hills or even light jogging for 30 seconds or so, and it flares up again. Bummer! Okay, I’m good. It’s not ready. Keep resting it. But today, I was pushing my grocery cart across the parking lot and I shuffled, like, three steps to move out of the way of an approaching car.

Bam! Three little shuffle steps got me! Three!!

So I did what any logical person would do when they got home: I got out the chocolate chips, the dried sugary cherries, and the almonds. And I stuffed handful after handful in my mouth. And you know what? All that sugar made me feel better… for about 5 minutes, after which time I went back in for more. And more.

This, of course, is emotional eating. It works. But only for a short period. After the sugar bomb, I felt gross and disappointed with my choices.

And then it hit me.

No shame, no blame… just do the next healthy thing. I can do this!

So I made a cup of green tea and infused it with some kombucha. I enjoyed it out on our porch and breathed fresh air and took in the natural surroundings. I ate a lovely organic apple. Then I hopped on my bike and rode around our neighborhood (testing out the knee, which was fine with this activity).

I came back from this feeling so much better. My knee is still not so great, but at least I’m not adding insult to injury by eating things that only make me feel worse. And in fact, I feel a bit empowered, instead of the feeling of helplessness about my knee.

Are you in a funk where you’re having a hard time breaking some choices that aren’t serving you well? Do the next healthy thing. This can start with a glass of water. Maybe you need to call a friend or take a nap. Or take a walk. Dance party for one? Eat an apple. Get some momentum going in the right direction. 

You are only one choice away from turning things around.

What about you?

What is the next healthy thing you can do?

I work with women in midlife, helping them drop the pounds and gain the energy, lose the stress and find themselves.

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