Body First

A week on from my first blog post, and I've really been enjoying finding little moments to take pictures of so far (and some I didn't take pictures of). I've found myself noticing more wildlife and pretty plants around, embracing fresh air through open windows and walks with the dogs, and really trying to make the most of the summer while it's here.

But surprisingly, what I've found myself focusing most on is my body and my health, which wasn't intentional but has just felt right this week.

I know from past experience with food challenges that my body likes more protein and fewer grains/sugar. In recent months I haven't been very good with this and have tended to go for lazy meals like pesto pasta, toast with margarine, or pot noodles as an easy lunch - the kind of meals which make me feel bloated and worse after eating.

This week I have been making things like chia puddings, hummous sourdough, chickpea curries and lentil bolognaises with less pasta. Not perfectly and not every meal, but I do think I'm already feeling lighter and more energetic.

I've also suddenly become very motivated with home yoga/pilates classes. My mum and I started going to a weekly pilates class locally a few weeks ago, but I've also been doing lots of home workouts using the "Move with Nicole" YouTube channel. In the last 9 days I've done at least 15 mins of yoga or pilates on 7 of those days, which is unheard of for me!

I wouldn't say that I'm seeing any physical changes yet, but I do think I'm starting to feel stronger as well as lighter and more energetic from the healthier food. And it seems to be kind of a snowball effect in that after doing it for a few days, my body got used to doing it every day and I've started to crave it.

I really feel like this new-found motivation is connected to this journey of small wild moments, not only because the version of me in my remote cabin would be strong and healthy, but also because it is taking off the pressure of perfectionism. I have had the tendency in the past to be quite all or nothing about a lot of things - if I can't do it all perfectly then I sit around and do nothing.

But I'm learning that if I can add small, wild moments into my life imperfectly and where I can, I can do it with healthy eating and daily movement too. If I eat a few unhealthy meals it's no big deal, the next meal can be better. If I don't do any exercise for a weekend, I can do it again on Monday (like I did this weekend just gone). If I stay up too late one night and feel tired the next day, I can go to bed earlier the next day.

Even though it was unintentional, health seems to be a good place to start with this journey, as more strength and lightness in my body will lead to more energy to bring to hobbies, and projects, and adventures, and all the other little wild moments to come!

We shall see how this all progresses :)

Emily