Thanksgiving is over, which means it’s time to get into full blown Christmas shopping mode! I know, like us, many will be doing their shopping online. I mean, it’s been a thing for a while, but my guess is that it’s even more popular this year.
So, we thought we’d help! We’ve put together a few lists we hope you’ll love.
First up: Angela’s List for Her.
I can’t speak for all women, but these are some of the places I’d happily shop at for myself. If you have a woman in your life that loves health, fitness, and a little bit of hippieness, I think I can help!
Find my list here.
Now Brandon’s List for Him.
For those men in your life that love all things, well, manly. Think grilling, beer, and cigars. We’ve got you covered!
Grab Brandon’s list here.
Kitchen Must Haves.
Ok, I have to give a disclaimer here. I AM NOT recommending you get a kitchen appliance for anyone….unless it’s totally their thing and they would absolutely love it. I won’t be the one responsible if it’s not something they would ask for as a gift. Just sayin’. ;)
But if you have that special someone who would love a kitchen appliance or you want to gift yourself, we’ve got your list right here!
Fit Faves.
Ok, there may be some that wouldn’t appreciate fitness anything for any kind of gift. But I (Angela) have always thought fitness anything was a great idea for any occasion, like since I was in high school.
So, find my list of faves here.
Bushcraft Must Haves.
For that outdoorsy, survivalist type person in your life, this is a great go-to. Brandon knows all the good things to shop for and we’ve got it all ready to go, right here.
I’m a true believer that whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.
I apply this to all aspects of life. Our minds believe everything we tell them. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to get ahead more easily, or always seem happier or healthier in spite of any obstacles or limitations that may seem to exist for them? Or found yourself surprised that someone isn’t as fit, happy, or successful as you would expect?
Ever wonder why that is? It ultimately comes down to mindset.
I’ve been told more than once I don’t fit the mold of a person living with fibromyalgia. I live a fairly normal and active lifestyle. It’s because I made that choice right from the start. I decided when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, at the age of 19, that I wouldn’t let it stop me. I continued with that mindset after a freak fall and hip injury in February 2018. It doesn’t mean it’s always easy. I have my days of frustration. But I refuse to let it keep me down. I refuse to let these things dictate my life for me.
I have fibromyalgia. It does not have me.
See how that works? If you decide limitations and obstacles in life own you, you’re right. Your mind will give up looking for solutions. Your body will stop working to its fullest potential. You’ll end up feeling defeated. Because you told yourself in the beginning that you were.
I’ll say it again. Our minds believe everything we tell them. Make sure you’re filling yours with all things good and hopeful, and reminding yourself that you’re ultimately in charge.
This doesn’t mean it will always be easy (I mentioned that above). It doesn’t mean your body will always respond and do 100% of the things you want it to do. But it does mean that you’ll learn to listen. You’ll learn that your limitations are not what defines you. You’ll learn what your body is truly capable of. And you’ll learn that you’re winning at life. Because you are in control.
Motivation. We’ve all struggled with it, right? And if you’re like me, 2020 has made it especially hard to find motivation and keep it.
I recently asked in my free online group for fibro warriors what the biggest struggle was when it comes to managing health. Motivation was a big one! It can be hard to want to do much when you’re body aches and you can’t think clearly. Making changes, even if for the better, can feel so overwhelming and like too much work. I get it!
So, I thought I’d offer a few tips. Word to the wise though...motivation only works when you put the work in. It’s not always going to be easy, but it will be worth it. But let me see if I can take a little of the work and overwhelm out of it for you.
A few things you can do to get and stay motivated.
Find your why. Why do you want to get and stay healthy? Make a list and keep it where you’ll see it daily. If you don’t know why you want to take the steps to improve your health, motivation is definitely not going to be there.
Dig out an outfit you want to fit into but can’t. Don’t have one? Buy one. Seriously. I’m not saying it will work on its own, but it will help you keep focus on the direction you want to go. So, give it a try.
That being said...take baby steps. Don’t go crazy and dig out (or buy) something 5 times too small. Even if that’s your goal. Make small goals that will eventually lead you to that big goal. Same goes for nutrition. Don’t jump in all at once. Cut out soda first. Then creamer in your coffee. Move onto cutting out all added sugars and processed foods. You get the idea. Baby steps.
Ask yourself who needs you at your best. Who will benefit from you living a healthier life? I read a book earlier this year, High Performance Habits. The author suggests placing a post-it note with the question, “Who needs me on my A game right now?” where you’ll see it daily. I’m going to say there’s a good reason for him making this suggestion. Maybe give it a try. It just might help.
Keep focus on your end goal. How do you feel now vs how you want to feel? This will kind of tie your why and your goal together. Stay focused. Take the steps to get there in small chunks. And know that if you don’t give up, you’ll reach that end goal.
Know you’re not alone. Find a support group or person. Accountability and encouragement from those you know truly have your best interest at heart goes a long way. You’re welcome to join my free grouphere.
Have more motivation tips to add? I’d love to hear ‘em!
30 days of thankfulness. It’s something I’ve done every November for the last 10 years or so. I’ve always believed in leading with a thankful heart. I’ve always believed that there is always something to be thankful for. I believe it’s more important now than ever to be able to find the good in every day.
2020 has been a year for the books for sure. Depression and anxiety have been on the rise. Not surprising. People have lost jobs, become sick with an illness that no one seems to understand, been kept from loved ones and, in some cases, lost loved ones. Finding the good can be extra hard in times like this.
But it’s so so important that we do. The negative is staring us in the face this year. It’s everywhere we look. But what if we shifted our minds to find the good? Whatever it may be.
The blue sky. The sunshine. The beautiful snowfall. Being able to spend more time with our loved ones at home. The fact that our pets love having us home more. Time to finally get a workout in. Our favorite ice cream. That cup of coffee. The online support group we may not have otherwise found.
You guys, there is so so much to be thankful for. The big and small things. Learn to look for those things and appreciate them on a daily basis. You’ll find you’re thankful you did (see, another thing to add to the list).
I invite you to join me this year in 30 days of thankfulness. (Even if you’re jumping in after the first. It’s never too late!) And then carry this mindset through the rest of the year and into the next.
The negative things will be pointed out to you enough. There’s no need to spend time focusing on them and finding your own negativity to add to it. So, let’s do this! Let’s fill our minds with all the good things!
Need a little help in resetting your mindset? Check out my free group here for a 3 week mindset challenge.
Fibromyalgia. If you’ve been diagnosed with it, it’s likely you’ve experienced frustration, bewilderment, and probably even depression. It can kind of feel like a life sentence. Am I right?
The muscle weakness. The fatigue. The brain fog. The lack of restful sleep. All the questions.
Will I ever be able to live a normal life again? Will I forever have to take meds that may or may not work? Do I really have to endure the groggy side effects of those meds on top of the fatigue and brain fog I already feel?
Let me tell you, as a fibro warrior myself, this is far from a life sentence. You can absolutely live a normal, active life. You can manage without all the meds. You don’t have to succumb to the drugged feeling on top of the fibro brain fog.
I was diagnosed with fibro when I was 19, over half my life ago. (And have been diagnosed several times over since.) I never stopped being active. I just learned what I could and couldn’t do without repercussions. It’s been 25+ years of trial and error. I try to stay with the things I know won’t cause flare-ups. But if I really want to do something I know will cause one, I’ll plan to rest the next couple days. And I’m ok with this. Because I still get to do the things I love.
I’ve also learned that food can help or harm. I’m still learning but I have a pretty good idea of what my body needs and doesn’t. I stick to clean eating (very little processed foods and added sugars). I’m also learning (yes, still) what foods cause reactions of some sort and what ones help me feel my best.
Always trial and error. The trick is learning to listen to your body. It will always always tell you what it needs and what it doesn’t. If you’re not sure how to do this, I recommend starting with a journal.
Know that you are more in control than not. And know that you are not alone. I’m here to help in any way that I can! Maybe start with my guide to managing fibro naturally. You can get that here.
