New Year, New Me?
I am currently standing with my laptop on my dresser typing this newsletter while Baby Axel is strapped to me. We are dealing with the four month sleep regression, and let me tell you, this is one of those moments in life that might break me. But one thing is for sure, while Baby Axel learns new skills during this time (apparently every sleep regression is because baby is attaining new skills), I am learning new skills as a first time mom. This experience has been exhausting, wonderful, full of laughs, full of meltdowns… the whole spectrum. My mom said to me when she was here for Christmas, “you think you're busy now? Just wait til there are more kids.” And I responded to her that I don't think I'm busy. I think I'm overwhelmed because this is all so new to me. I am so out of my comfort zone as I navigate this new season. And through the tears and the laughter, I wouldn't have it any other way.
So now, let me segue to what I want to talk about - tackling new things in the new year with a plan. If you're anything like me (and if you're on any social media platforms), you are being fed ad after ad about fitness transformations for the new year. Insert eye roll.
If I may, I would love to cut through some of the noise.
Getting ad after ad can be frustrating. It has been for me and this is my industry. Thoughts race through my head as I scroll and get blasted with woman after woman with crazy abs and arms. “Are her abs real? Can my abs look like that? Damn, her butt is nice. Can I get that?” We all see these things and think them. So let's talk about what you're being fed and what's attainable.
First off, let's just say it and get it out of the way… so many of these women are genetically inclined to look this way. As a woman who is also genetically inclined to be on the thinner side, please hear it from me - they (and myself) were given a short cut that they (and me) can use as a business push to say “Hey, I can do it so you can do it too.” So please, right here and now, stop comparing yourself to other women. And also please hear me when I say this does not take away from all of their (and my) hard work. Because you have to steward well what you were blessed with to keep it (and make it better).
Okay, secondly, we are sold full body transformations every new year. We are told that if we do an overhaul and start now, we can see a transformation in 30 days.
And here is where I really want to give you my thoughts…
Transformations do not happen in 30 days. Can you start to see some change in 30 days? Absolutely. But it doesn't happen for everyone. Story time: I had a bride come to me once and told me she wanted toned arms by her wedding in 8 weeks. She gave me 8 weeks to give her amazing looking arms. And I had to tell her that it may not happen. We would do our best but she had to do a lot of work on her own. And guess what, she is one of those genetically inclined people that can build muscle pretty easily so her arms looked fabulous. BUT, this is not the case for most people. Most of my clients start to see results in about 3 months or more.
But by being sold this tranfsormation story over and over again, we make a commitment to do a 30 day challenge believing whoever is selling us the program that muscles will pop and when we don't see any change by day 30, we give up.
Thought 2: We tend to want to overhaul everything all at once when it comes to our health. This causes burnout because it's almost impossible to create multiple new habits at once. (If you've done it, good for you!!) Your best plan is to start with one change at a time.
So what do you need for the new year if you're hoping to take better care of your body? A plan. Not a 30 day transformation challenge.
Start small. For example, what would it take to get one workout in each week? And it doesn't have to be an hour. It can be 20-30 minutes. And once you accomplish that for 4-6 weeks straight, add in another goal.
I'm going to let you in on my plan for the new year as I get back to working out and taking care of myself more and more as a new parent. This is all new to me and I don't have the time and freedom i used to have. Right now, my goal is two strength workouts a week - one that is uninterrupted where my husband watches the baby (this workout is usually around 45 minutes) and one workout I do while Axel naps. And if he wakes up, guess what? He becomes part of my workout (baby wearing is a game changer). I also get out and walk every day (that was something I adopted the day after my C section - doctors orders). It's not where I fully want to be, but right now it's where I am and it's attainable.
So where are you? What are your goals for the new year? What's one small change you can make for yourself health wise? Don't try to overhaul everything at once. You will get frustrated.
One of the big things I've learned as a new mom, is you celebrate all the wins. Big or small. I only had to do one feed to sleep? Score. I learned how to get him on a feeding schedule? Huge win. I incresed my calories so I could have more of a breastmilk supply? Goals.
Start small. Ignore the noise. Make a plan that is sustainable. Celebrate the wins… big and small.