Brain Freeze

As I struggle to write my post on rounded shoulder, forward head posture (I know, I know, you just can't wait!) my brain keeps freezing up and I find I need to write it in bits and pieces. Narrative writing comes so much easier for me. The technical information, though I can explain it verbally, is so hard for me to get down on "paper."

So in the meantime, it's more baby steps...

Baby Step: Don't compare!

Yourself to others--Everyone is fighting their own demons and battles. Things come easy to no-one, even if it looks that way on the outside. What is important is you--give yourself a break. You are making a move towards a healthier you.

I once had a friend tell me that I was the calmest, most "normal" person she knew and she wished she was more like me. I almost dropped. In my mind I was wierd and internally every day was a struggle to overcome depressive thoughts and anxiety (docs call it a chemical imbalance--I call it suck). I certainly wasn't calm in my mind. But here she was admiring me, thinking that I had it altogether.

No one is perfect. Don't expect yourself to be.

Baby Step: Set Goals!

Both long term and short term--Make them challenging but attainable. Start with small steps that work towards a larger defined goal. Reaching a goal, no matter how small, will motivate you to keep going. Record them in a journal and make notes when you reach a goal or make notes on why you didn't to help you strategize to prevent a similar setback.

When you achieve the long term goal--don't stop there. Always working towards a goal gives you purpose.

Currently my long term goal is to heal my body and my mind. Each morning I try to set a goal for the day whether it be going the full day without negative self-talk or fully completing my rehabilition exercise routine or having a really good day nutritionally to give my body the tools it needs to heal. This helps me to feel some control over my issues and not get discouraged.

Baby Step: Reward!

Yourself for a job well done--Whether it be reaching a goal or passing on that cookie, find a way to reward yourself. It can be putting a $1.00 in a jar for each achievement (and buying yourself something nice when you reach a larger goal), downloading a new song or having a latte--skim of course :)--when you reach smaller ones. Dangle that carrot in front of your nose (you can eat it when you're done!) and be sure to follow through on your promise to yourself when the goal is met.

The house is waking up around me and I need to get the day going. I am headed to NY for a few days to attend a Corrective Exercise workshop. I am so excited (but nervous) and I hope to have a lot of good information to share (when I can unlock my brain).

I hope you have the best of days.

Hugs,

Joanne

Be Strong. Be Confident. Be Fit. Be Your Best.