Here’s How I Lived Healthy & Happy This Week

Last week I wrote about focusing on being healthy and happy and NOT the adjectives we sometimes find ourselves reaching for – thin, fit, athletic, skinny, etc..

So to follow up from that post I thought I’d share what I did this week to stay healthy and happy.

This is a new thing for me and a bit of a divergence from my typical posts, so let me know what you think and if you want more.

Workouts

My workout schedule was all over the place this week. I’m still trying to heal my hamstring, so I took two rest days this week instead of one.

Monday –

30 minute elliptical workout

PT exercises

Tuesday –

ARC Run Club – 1.5 miles

Wednesday –

PT in the AM. No workout in the PM.

Thursday – 

Rest.

Friday –

Hot yoga class at Y2 with a dear friend (wholefullyhappy). PHEW that was a tough one.

Saturday –

1.5 mile run

3 mile bike ride

1.5 mile run

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Sunday –

2 mile run

Strength training

FOOD

Here’s a glimpse at some things I ate throughout the week. I’ve found it therapeutic to plan out my meals and cooking (if you can relate, you should check out Baking You Better). And smoothies have become my new obsession. I have one every day. Is that healthy? Not quite sure, but it makes me happy!

Smoothie:

• 1/2 scoop Vega protein
• 1 tbsp. almond butter
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• handful of mango
• half of a banana
• some frozen spinach
• handful of mixed berries

On Sunday, I made some amazing jalapeno turkey burgers. You can find the recipe here.

And used the leftovers for lunch!

Larabars are some of my favorite snacks. They’re made with very few ingredients and keep me feeling full.

A couple weeks ago I made clean and gluten free chili. I’m still new to this whole cooking thing, so I made enough to feed an army. On the bright side, I was able to freeze some and eat it this week. This was a pre-run dinner.

On Saturday, after my run and bike ride, some friends and I went to a local Asian restaurant called CO and I ordered the edamame and green papaya salad. Delish!

 

Of course, this isn’t everything I ate throughout the week, but just some things that kept me nourished, healthy, and happy.

But here’s the catch…

Despite my many efforts to live this week as healthfully and happy as possible, I did not feel like myself. I was extremely anxious and found myself breaking down… a lot and without being able to figure out why. It was killing me not knowing the root of the problem. And, while I’m being honest, I’ve felt this way for a few weeks now. Change in seasons, maybe? I’m not sure, but as I tried to stay as healthy and happy this week and was somewhat successful it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how I’m living my life.

Are my days jam packed with “busy-ness”? Yes.

Am I sleeping enough? No.

Am I taking time to rest, relax, and disconnect? Not really.

Do I realize that I’m in control of my outlook on life and have the power to change this? Sorta.

But I’ve noticed that there’s this notion out there that we need to “hustle.” If you want to get somewhere, be successful, beat the competition you need to be hustling. Always on. Fighting the status quo. Jumping and leaping over others. Working, working, working until you “make it.”

I fall prey to that mindset sometimes. And when I do, that’s when my world spirals downward.

Life isn’t a hustle. Constantly competing with yourself and others is unhealthy. Your mind and your body need time to disconnect and unwind, because if you don’t, you get burnt out and then you aren’t your best self.

I haven’t been my best self recently. But instead of putting pressure on myself to figure out what’s wrong and nit pick at every misstep I’ve made, I’m trying a different approach. I’m telling myself it’s okay not to always “be on.” It’s okay not to be perfect. To sleep. To read. To enjoy life without looking at it as a competition. To turn off my phone and disconnect. And to say NO.

And that’s why I love the quote below (You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first). You cannot give to others if you are not full, yourself. So what will you do this week to refill your cup and spread love and joy? For one, I’m practicing saying no more often and spending more time with loved ones.

Please share (in the comments below, via social media, email) what you will do to refill your cup!

Also, do you like these posts where I share food and workouts?

All photos were taken using an iPhone 7.

I was not paid for sharing these products/recipes.

Keep spreading positivity!