Monday, September 21, 2009

Here's to a journey to wellness...

Sitting somewhere, surfing somewhere, you find this title of my blog appealing. You must, or you wouldn't have clicked. I'm glad you did.
I have been on a quest to discover wellness for awhile now. I know one never truly discovers this elusive word, wellness. But this blog is dedicated to trying...or at least it promises to offer a few ideas, concepts, and approaches.
I am a certified personal trainer, kickboxing instructor, bootcamp owner/instructor, etc. I have a Bachelor's from a prominent university in family and consumer sciences. I have a certification in fitness nutrition. I've competed in a bodybuilding competition and I have a few other credentials. Does this really qualify me to write on this subject? I don't know, probably not. But I have discovered a few tricks, lots of recipes, secrets to food and exercise and a few habits that have worked for me. And I want to share them with whomever is interested. I'm not perfect, and I will never claim to be. Just this weekend, I overindulged at a few meals, now I am paying the price of doing so...but I'm human.
There has to be some balance though. Life isn't as fun when you go to a party and only consume raw vegetables only to think it would have been better to stay at home, as not to be tempted, right? We're only on this incredible earth for a short while, so my thought is to be here and enjoy it...but at the same time gain some appreciation for a few notable topics, like self-control and discipline. They might not be as fun, but they can offer a structured life as well as many other benefits.
So, even though it is not profound by any means, today's thought will have to encompass the humble thought of moderation. The older I get, the more it seems true. Most things can be enjoyed in moderation. This is super hard for me, because one slice of delicious frosting topped cake isn't quite enough for me. And I start feeding my brain excuse after excuse as to trick myself into thinking that more is okay. That's when moderation comes into play. Simple, really. But how often do we think it and not act on it. I know I don't and quite often. So, if today, I can think about moderation a little more and make an conscious effort to include it, even if it's just applied to one or two things in my day, I know it can make a difference.
And so, my first application will be to coffee. I have already had a cup at home prior to working out and I am finishing my second cup (and it's not even 9 am yet) at Starbucks as I write this. So, normally, I would go over and fork over my 50 cents to get a refill before leaving. Today, I'm not. Instead, I am going to reach for that 1/2 gallon of water I brought with me. A much better choice for my body. And just the sheer thought of making a better choice gives me a glimmer of joy. And I like how that feels.
Until next time.
Yours in looking for wellness,
Stef