100 Healthy Days: Day 4 & 5 - Nothing is impossible

100 Healthy Days: Day 4 & 5

I've been pretty busy these last two days and wasn't able to get on and do my blog post yesterday so I thought I'd combine my two healthy days with the one thought that has consistently been running through my mind as I still struggle to make the right choices every day - how will I continue to stay motivated if I hit a bumpy patch? I don't want to fall off the wagon as I inevitably always do at the first sign of something tough.

For day 4 I posted a picture of the freshly mowed lawn in our back garden. I had originally planned to make the most of the winter sunshine by going for a walk/jog around the block a couple of times. My plan is to eventually build up to running as that is something I would like to be able to do often as part of my exercise plan in the future (no, not marathons! just a way to get out and clear my mind for a while every day). 

Unfortunately we had some issues at work and I wasn't able to get away from my PC for that long.  Ordinarily I would have just not done anything about that at all and been all 'Ah well, what can ya do?' - but this time I was like 'OK, what ELSE can I do?'! The lawn has been needing a mow and we just haven't got there with all the rain, so that's what I did. Whizzed the mower around the garden for half an hour or so and even managed to work up a sweat.

The exciting grass picture

And you know what? I'm super proud of myself for doing that, at least I did something and I was flexible. I didn't let myself feel bad for not managing the walk/job because I did something else to make up for it. That really has been a big realisation for me, as silly as it may sound. I've always made up loads of excuses about working out - too busy, too tired, too stressed... too full of nonsense is more like it. 

It's inspired me to get more involved in the house work and things that have been needing to be done for a long time, so from now on if for any reason I can't leave the house - I WILL find something else active to do; and saying that feels pretty good too.

You really can afford to carve out 30min a day at the very least to do something more active and there are so many things that need doing around the house (if this is not the case at your house, please feel free to swing by here and I'll give you the To Do list).

Which brings me to my Day 5. I have always really respected and admired Nelson Mandela and his attitude towards life. One of my favourite stories about him is how he gave up most of his salary as President to various charities because he said he had everything he needed and they did not. That is the kind of person I strive to be in life, I have my ups and downs but I can honestly say I'm working on it and maybe one day I can hope to be even a fraction as great as he is.

But I digress, my point here is that Nelson Mandela's quote, "It always seems impossible until it's done" - is something that has resonated with me in every facet of my life. Work, home, Health... it just works for anything and I love it. To the point that I had a custom made sticker printed that sits above my desk, so that I can look up at any time and see it.

The exciting picture of the stickers above my desk

I think what I love about it is that it's just so true. Any bad thing that you have to soldier through, will end! At some point the journey will be over and you will have made it through. It may not be easy, but time marches on with or without you - and that to me just makes it more bearable.

Just taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, one meal at a time is the only way we can survive this world. If you start to think too far into the future and the massive goals you have set for yourself it seems so impossible and overwhelming. Breaking it up into smaller attainable goals that all work towards the same final outcome is a much more productive and positive way to deal with things and I think that is something else I have to learn to let go and I will.

It always seems impossible... until it's done - so let's get doing!

You've got this!

xx E