- High-Glycemic Foods: That post-sugar crash? It's not your friend.
- Red Meat: It’s not just about the fat content. There's something about red meat that doesn't sit well with fibromyalgia.
- Caffeine: A double-edged sword. In moderation, it can be uplifting, but overconsumption might lead to a caffeine hangover—a trigger for fibro fog.
- Artificial Additives: It’s a far cry from "mother knows best" when it comes to man-made flavors and preservatives.
- Start a Food Journal: Write it down, every morsel. Not everyone keeps a journal, but this one might hold the key to your health.
- Experiment with Elimination Diets: Think of it as a lesson in learning to listen to your own body.
- Stocking Your Shelves the Smart Way: You are what you eat, so be a smart shopper. Load up on whole, unprocessed foods.
- Supplement Sensibly: Your plate might not be getting all the nutrients it needs. Talk to a holistic practitioner about supplementing your diet.
- Hydrate and Recover: Water isn’t just for fish. Staying well-hydrated helps with overall pain management.
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!