Couch to Camino 2

Planning is an important step in any journey, and I’ve been preparing for change.

First thing in the morning I need to know exactly what I am eating.

I know myself well enough to know that I will default to toast with peanut butter and jam, or something similar if I don’t have a plan. So I have bought a new blender (I killed the last one making gingerbread at Christmas), and I have stocked up on veggies and fruit.

I’m no expert, but I have read enough experts to know that if I want to lose weight, food is my number one priority. I hate meal plans, but I love knowing what to eat from a range of foods. It leaves me feeling like I can still choose in the moment which suits my personality.

I actually like smoothies, so my plan to have them for breakfast won’t be too difficult. I will be getting my nutrients and fibre before I eat anything else, and I tend to do better later in the day if I start out well.

Self knowledge is an important thing! I would not have this self knowledge if it were not for all the “new beginnings” that didn’t end up at the finishing line I was aiming for.

If you have tried and failed a few times too, grab a pen and paper and remember why you failed. Was it habit, hunger, stress?Perhaps it was exhaustion after a long day at work and you were too tired to cook? For me, preparation is my super power.

The other things I have prepared for:

I bought ingredients to make a batch of kimchi, which means I will be getting probiotics and also have an easy “go to” condiment/or serve of veggies to use if I don’t feel like cooking. Lebanese bread and salad supplies, along with some home made hummus will take care of lunches. I have some mushrooms and lentils, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, brocolli and brown rice, to create healthy dinners, and I plan to cook more than one serve and freeze leftovers in serving size snaplock bags. preparation is everything for me.

Freezing the leftovers also means I wont go back for seconds — which is a big stumbling block for me. I like delicious food.

I’ve learned that I’m a proactive and determined person for about a day, but my default is pretty lazy. Therefore, If I use my determination day to prepare for the lazy ones, I’ll be ok.

Exercise is important too… but with Fibromyalgia, arthritis and old injuries, I need to begin by thinking of it as movement. Too often I get all fired up (determination day) and I go and walk from here to there and back again, or I dig a garden and move barrels of mulch. I can do it too, and it feels great… on determination day. But, by the next day and often for the next week, I can barely get out of bed, cooking anything goes out the window, and I end up sitting on my metaphorical arse in the dirt cos’ I’ve fallen spectacularly off the wagon.

So, for the last couple of days, I’ve been walking around shopping centres, looking for Rapid Antigen Tests… that’s movement. The next day I cleaned house and did grocery shopping, more movement. It all counts. I do want to get to the swimming pool, perhaps tomorrow.

For today, I have prepared and I’ve started making sure I move.

Lastly, I’m wary of taking myself too seriously, and I know that laughter is good for my soul and body.

Today this made me laugh… which is always a bonus.

[Edit] I wrote this article last night before bed and then was too tired to edit it. So “tomorrow” is now today, and I have just finished my first green smoothie from my new blender. It was delicious and satisfying!

The path to the Camino will be long, but I already feel the possibility of it. I will get there. One day, one step at a time.

I’m going to swim today, in a gorgeous ocean bath. This is not a chore, or a requirement, it is a pleasure, and I plan to do it mindfully. I’ll post pics and tell you all about it next time.

What’s the next step towards your dream?

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