Bridget Bites : When You Slip Off Track

Q:

Hi Bridget!

First, I wanted to say, I love your blog! I've tried creams, supplements, all your advice in health and nutrition and it's been great help!
However, lately I'm finding very hard to keep up with all my healthy habits.
Do you have any advice on how to get back on track, some tips for the everyday life.
I've been moving countries for the last year, moving again in 2 months and I'm felling a bit lost.

Love,
Flor

A:

Hi there! I’m glad you like the blog, and thank you for writing in 😀

Travel is the best worst thing ever. I travel constantly for my job, and I love it. Always had itchy feet, and I love new surroundings, people, culture and change. However it can be really tough to keep yourself together. It can be very hard to find a routine and keep it. Some people don’t need routine in their lives – some people thrive on spontaneity. I am not this type of person. I am writing this after coming off 11 planes in two weeks, and I am not myself! I have been sleeping weird hours, eating junk food, drinking a little too much wine and slacking on the workouts. It happens. We are people.

First step is recognizing that you aren’t feeling right. That your behaviors aren’t in line with that you would rather be doing for yourself. To coin a new-agey term, use this to find your “why” (sorry, sorry). Why do you feel the way you do, and why do you want to change your behavior? When you have incentive, change follows. Personally, I want to feel energetic when I wake up, and be calm and loving to other humans. This all suffers when I lose track of my healthy patterns.

Next I usually identify behaviors that get me to where I want to be. I make a list, and stick it somewhere that I see regularly. My list is below. Yours will probably be different, but I know that after a week of doing these things I will be getting back to my balance point in life.

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1. Food.

This will always be number one. You are what you eat, so start focusing today on whole plant foods. If you eat meat make sure you are eating the correct serving sizes, and the best-sourced possible. You may be hungry and have some weird cravings as your body adjusts – just ride it out and have plenty of healthy options around. Hummus, tomatoes, and almond milk blended with vega are some of my favorites. Make sure to hit the healthy fats like avocado and nuts for satiety and get loads of fiber!

2. Water. Drink it.

It makes everything work better in your body.

3. Meditate.

I have had a week off and I feel different. It really changes the way you see the world and feel; it is my favorite habit to get back into.

4. Choose your workouts wisely.

This may be counterintuitive, but I avoid strenuous workouts when I am getting back into healthy habits. I find it sets the stage for overdoing it in the gym to compensate, and I get injured and more tired. I stick to yoga, short easy runs, paddleball, stand up paddle boarding and hiking. After about a week I usually get into the heavier weight based work.

5. Get 10K steps a day in.

Being outside is good for us, and sitting is not. Walk to work if you can, walk everywhere and enjoy the fresh air!

6. Digital detox.

I like to choose the information I let in, and when I spend hours scrolling on instagram I know it is time to delete the app and have some space. Plus time away helps you to focus on what you need – and not compare yourself!

7. Make a list and stick to it!

Every night before I go to bed I have a to-do note in my phone. I love ticking things off and getting it done. It really helps me to feel accomplished

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After identifying these habits I work to fit them into my travel. Having done this job for a really long time, I know how to fit workouts into my lunch break, what time and routine I need to do to ensure enough quality sleep, what time I need to wake up to get a proper meditation in, and what I need to do in my spare time to keep my sanity.

My travel never ever stops – but that doesn’t mean I get to stop. We are the result of the little things we do every day, not the one big thing we do randomly. So start today! Little by little create habits that keep you feeling good and healthy.

And enjoy the travel!!

 

Love,

Bridget