Aspire, Perspire, Nourish Yourself

© Wuyanjun | Dreamstime Stock Photos

International Women’s Day is March 8th, and the theme for the March-long celebration this year is “Be Bold for Change”.

Typically, we don’t like to highlight or celebrate days like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and similar ones because they are too commercialized.  We do believe, however, in the underlying concept of pausing and appreciating the meaning of these celebrations.  This year’s International Women’s Day theme is particularly meaningful for fitness, nutrition and wellness:

“Be Bold for Change”

There are people who fear change, love change, initiate change, stop change, tolerate change, or experience so many other emotions with change!  The reality for every human is that change happens whether you want it or not, and it can happen slowly or quickly.  Every day our bodies go through changes that we can’t even detect as our cells renew themselves and decay.  To some degree, you have a choice about renewing or decaying your body, mind, and spirit.

Fitness and nutrition are powerful tools that make a difference so BE BOLD this month and CHANGE your bad fitness and nutrition habits into good ones.

©Redbaron – Dreamstime

Here are 31 some simple ways to follow through:

1. Exercise more often.
2. Increase the intensity of your workouts.
3. Get more sleep.
4. Drink less alcohol.
5. Eat more vegetables and fruits.
6. Eat less takeout or processed foods.
7. Try a new resistance training program.
8. Take a walk after dinner.
9. Eat less sugar (added sugar like sweets!).
10. Relax your mind by meditating.
11. Try yoga workout.
12. Cook at home more often.
13. Drink less soda or sugary drinks.
14. Drink less coffee
15. Drink more green tea.
16. Stop dieting.
17. Eat more balanced meals with protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
18. Eat appropriate portion sizes for your body weight and goals.
19. Sit less and move more.
20. Stretch before and after physical activities.
21. Workout with a partner.
22. Join a running or cycling or skiing or swimming group.
23. Dance with your kids, spouse, partner, friends.
24. Walk to work or to run errands.
25. Try spin classes or pilates or Zumba class or cross-fit.
26. Walk the stairs at work instead of taking the elevator.
27. Bring your home-made lunch to work or school.
28. Cut up veggies to have handy in the fridge for snacks.
29. Do sit ups or crunches every day.
30. Throw out processed foods from your pantry and fridge.
31. Keep a daily journal of your fitness and nutrition activities to challenge yourself to do better.

It’s going to be hard work.  It’s going to be frustrating and disappointing sometimes, so that’s why you need to be BOLD and DETERMINED.  

When you follow through, at the end of the month, you will see physical differences and be elated by your effort.

Happy International Women’s Month to all the wonderful women around the world.