Assembling Your Elephant: "It Looks Like a Wall!"

Every time I start something new it's exuberayting, and then, three or four days later, boredom sets in.   If I get past the first few weeks, which I often do, I hit a wall, take a break, feel defeated and deflated,  then I start something else.  (I'm sure this only happens to me.)  Walls.  The great thing about them is they usually contain a window or lead to a doorway; I am learning to utilize the exits.

Walls exist, I believe, only because I want them to.  I dislike running with almost as much energy as it takes me to run.  Because of this, I use a 'wall' as an excuse to discontinue or to take a break.  To overcome it, I bought a number made of paper so I may pin it to my chest and run thirteen miles as a motivator not to quit.

The same for writing.  I love to write and think on paper but I use a 'wall', writers block, as an excuse not to be successful.  The truth is that I always have something to write about; there is always a  vitamin to describe, a dose of food for thought or encouragement to deploy.  Instead of following through on self-set goals, I procrastinate.  I am in my own way a lot more than I should be, it's true, and often my excuse is a 'wall'.

What I am coming to realize, though, is that walls aren't permanent.  They can be taken down.  A window can be added.  A wide handicap accessible doorway can be created.  If one cannot be removed, it can be painted a beautiful color and used to hang a mirror.  Walls are useful when providing support, necessary separation and privacy, but they are not unsurpassable for sure.

I encourage you, dear reader, to decide for yourself what purpose your walls have.  Are they keeping you from a goal?  Deterring you from success?  Separating you from what you desire?  Or are they beautiful places utilized for reflection and reprieve?  While you begin to decipher the purpose of your wall, grab some real, delicious, naturally occurring food.  Wash it in with a tall glass of water.  Give your vitamins their vitamins and, as always, remember to wash your hands.

Note:  Walls should not be mistaken for Stop Signs.

Anna~

If you wish for help assembling your elephant, I can help~  The only things we are truly meant to do alone are poop and play solitaire.  For everything else, hire a Health Coach!  www.nutritionalcadence.com

I Love Hippocrates!

So I've been experimenting with a fast.  You know, the kind where you go for several hours without eating and the foods that are eaten are very specific in their nutritional value?  This is not a religious endeavor, or even a weight loss endeavor, but instead a process by which to reboot.  Its been working really, really well.

I love elimination diets.  I believe whole heartedly in giving the body chance to heal, by itself, with support of good food and whole nutrition.  Elimination diets serve that purpose to a T.  By taking away five major food categories, the body can begin to stop reacting to the fuel and experience relief and nourishment (eggs, wheat, soy, dairy and sugar, if you must know).  For the past few days I have made disciplined efforts to remove a few, not all five, of those food groups in order to experiment with how my body feels without them.

Fasting, along with eliminating large groups of food, allows the body to do several innate things.  Stored fuel is utilized, the metabolism speeds up then slows to a crawl to conserve energy.  Hormones are triggered that might otherwise be dormant and other hormones are given a reprieve, namely insulin.  Fat is used and with that toxins are released, then processed by the body (not necessarily a good thing).  Awareness becomes keen.

I have chosen to eat veggies, whole fruits and brown rice during my fast.  I have chosen to eat egg whites for breakfast, early, and then fast until 6 for dinner when said veggies and rice are consumed.  I have enjoyed water, tea, coffee and vitamins, along with a probiotic to support my body while the toxin release takes place.  Though I've been a bit crabby, I have enjoyed the quick results of giving my body a break.

It isn't a miracle when our bodies heal by way of food, water and vitamins; it is our inheritance.  Hippocrates said, "If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health."  I know that I, often times, have too much food and not enough exercise.  By way of real food, plenty of water, vitamins for my vitamins and sneakers, I intend to find my safest way to health.  Will you join me?

Anna~

Visit www.nutritionalcadence.com to schedule a consultation with me about elimination diets and what one might do for you.

A Wedding, a Party and a New Career!

I have a mind full of ideas and an unsupportive calendar; a very frustrating combination.  School will be up in a few short months and its time for me to leap out of the nest as a health coach.  My website is done but not quite public (www.nutritionalcadence.com will be redirected once I hit the 'publish' button); I have a Mail Chimp account set up in order to publish newsletters, but no audience to send it to; I even have an event topic to comprise and advertise, but for the next few weeks I am booked with other events.  I am bursting at the seems and ready to jump the gate.

First on the agenda, other than the list mentioned above, is clients.  Currently, I have very successful, very inspiring clients that teach me every day why I love this work and what I have yet to learn.  They are incredible, hard working, ready and willing participants in their own lives.  I work with my clients to discover an effective balance between stress, sleep, nourishment, nutrition, relationships and self care.  I have room on my calendar for 11 clients starting in July.

Next on the agenda is marketing.  I am a baby in the big world of business and, because of my lack of experience, I am looking to social media for marketing.  I have a Facebook page titled, Anna Burrill, Your Health Coach, that I plan on updating regularly;  my regular profile is also open to followers in case my audience wants to get to know me and my madness on more of a personal level.  My Newsletter, word of mouth and this blog will be my biggest advertisers.

Also, I am working on a series called "Assembling Your Elephant!"  You have all heard the story of the six blind men and the elephant, right?  Your health is much like the elephant in the story.  Health is not just food.  It is not just exercise.  It is not just time management, sleep and participating in the world around you.  Each of these parts deserve attention and effort, but if only one part is addressed, health cannot be had.  On Monday the assembly begins.

I have traveling coming up for a wedding at the end of the month and, this Friday, a party!  And then...  the beginning of a career!

You know what to do~

Anna

If you would like to learn how I can coach you toward your best health, contact me at anna.burrill@me.com.  You can also visit www.nutritionalcadence.com to learn more about my approach, my training and my mission!

"What Have You Done For Me Lately?"

Okay, now I would never directly discourage you away from the computer, for that would lead you away from my message, but time in front of the computer hardly qualifies as exercise.  I spend about 90 minutes a day in front of some sort of screen (computer, television, e-book) and the more I do, the less motivated I feel to do anything else.  But two days ago, as I sat on my couch with my computer in my lap, my husband called and, after reporting his 40 mile bike ride and 9 mile run, suggested a blog post title:  'What have you done for your body lately?'  I could only reply with this:  "Good Question?"

I am training for a half marathon in October.  Running, for me, is no swift task.  I use my calves more than my thighs, I can't quite get my hips to swing, I have a moderately strong core and lack a competitive instinct.  So, I tabata every morning, run three times a week and focus on my goal and will to accomplish it.  But, even though it's hard and laborious and uncomfortable, I know I am doing my body good by moving toward a goal that will take me 13.1 miles around the earth (the .1 is the most important piece).

Also, for my body, I aim to balance what I eat with what I crave.  My cravings change as swiftly as the days and as gracefully as the seasons, and I listen to them.  I eat sweet things, salty things, fatty things, fried things and savory things.  I drink coffee and water and wine.  I sleep when I'm tried and linger when I'm feeling lazy.  I also recognize when my hunger has nothing to do with food.  My body and my mind don't always ask for the same things, but when I listen I can usually pick out the wiser voice and the instructions I receive are delicious.

So, I ask you the same question, as you sit on your bottom with your computer on your lap, "What have you done for your body lately?"  The defensive answers will sound something like: "I had salad!" - "I took time to read Anna's blog." - "I didn't eat the last two pieces of cake." - "I walked the dog."  I am not interested in those answers, and neither should you be.  The most interesting and informative answers won't be answers at all; they will be goals, aspirations, and attainable dreams fueled by the will achieve them.

I don't always eat real food, I don't always drink enough water, and I don't always get all my vitamins in.  What I can say is I always listen to my body and make every effort to decipher the questions and requests correctly.  I have washed my hands of what the world says I 'should do' and have successfully become aware of what my body needs and desires.  When my body asks, "What have you done for me lately?" I contemplatively respond, "Good Question!"

Anna~