Food For Your Soul: Dawn McGee
Do you ever catch yourself repeating the mantra, “I don’t have time”?
Make The Time For Healthy Habits:
They are common phrases, aren’t they? “I don’t have time to work out. I don’t have time to eat healthier. I don’t have time to take a break for lunch.” It’s so easy to say “I don’t have time.” You’ll never “find the time”, but if you want to create consistency in your healthy lifestyle, you need to make the time for healthy habits.
Five Tips To Make Time For What Matters Most:
“You can’t change your lifestyle without first changing your mindset.”
1: Start With Your ‘Why’:
You can’t change your lifestyle without first changing your mindset. So start with your why! Why do you want to make these changes to your lifestyle? What’s driving you? Understanding your motivations can help anchor you on those days when motivation feels as elusive as a unicorn.
Write down your ‘why’ (or ‘whys’) and keep it in a place where you will see it every day. When you find yourself saying “I don’t have time,” you’ll have a reminder of why your healthy habits are so important to you!
2: Stick To Simple Principles:
It’s okay if you have lofty goals for your health. Just make sure that every goal and habit is rooted in a simple principle. For example, maybe you’re creating a habit of walking a mile each day. There can be days when the weather prevents you from taking your walk. If you’re only thinking about the habit in terms of walking a mile outside, a rainy day might throw you off track. But if your goal of walking a mile every day is rooted in the principle of moving your body every day, then you can always find a way to make that happen.
So if you remember what you’re really trying to accomplish, you can focus on finding ways to implement it even when you’re not able to meet the exact goal you’ve set. Because it’s about a healthy lifestyle, not just one specific habit!
3: Plan Your Day The Night Before:
If you start your day without a plan, you’re bound to have a hard time finding time for your healthy habits. Instead, plan your day the night before!
“Take just five minutes each night to lay out your schedule for the next day.”
Take just five minutes each night to lay out your schedule for the next day. Whether you’re a long-term planner or prefer day-to-day scheduling, this quick ritual will empower you to carve out time for intentional movement, like a walk or workout. Don’t forget to set aside time (in advance) to gather any necessary gear, like extra layers for chilly weather.
4: Schedule ‘Me Time’ Daily:
‘Me time’ might feel selfish at first. But it’s essential to your physical and mental health. If you spend every moment of the day taking care of everyone and everything else, it will only lead to burnout.
You deserve some time for yourself every day. Make it a priority to carve out at least five minutes each day for yourself. Whether it’s a brief moment of meditation, a solo walk around the block, or simply closing the door and taking a few deep breaths, this time is essential for recharging your batteries and maintaining your well-being.
5: Don’t Go It Alone:
You can’t do everything on your own. And you won’t be successful in making time for your healthy habits if you don’t have support!
We’re social creatures by nature, and going solo on your wellness journey can be tough. Seek out support from friends, family, or even a like-minded community. Having someone to cheer you on, hold you accountable, or simply join you for a walk can make all the difference. Plus, it’s way more fun when you’ve got a squad backing you up!
Additional resources can be found in Dawn’s bio below.
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About The Author:
Dawn McGee is a Nutrition Evangelist and Lazy Cook. She is super passionate about putting the fun back into being healthy and does that by teaching women how to eat to serve their body, brain, and soul so that they can get off the sidelines and back to doing all of the things that bring them joy. She works with women who are ready to make their health a priority and just need someone to help them get started and guide them through the process.
Dawn has been coaching clients in person, online, in groups, and in a 1:1 capacity for more than a dozen years. Prior to becoming a nutrition and fitness coach, she spent over 25 years in the high-tech industry, so she truly understands the life of busy professional women.
Join her free group www.facebook.com/groups/NeverDiet and follow her on IG @dmnutrition and on FB @dmnutritioncoach to hear about all the other fun stuff she has (and get a ton of free + valuable info) If you’re ready to cut through the noise, grab her free guide to 7 Nutrition Lies here –> Free Guide: 7 Nutrition Lies We’ve All Been Fed