What's the famous John Steinbeck quote about the best laid plans of mice and men? If you're like me, you mean well. You have every good intention of eating better, working out more, stressing less, spending less, sleeping more and generally being kinder and happier.
And then. . . you do your best but life just gets in the way. A friend invites you out for burgers and cocktails, your favorite movie is on at the same time as that yoga class and so on.
It's TOUGH to build new habits. Research says it takes 8-12 weeks to break an old one or create a new one. That's a long time to rely on will power.
I know I need more than that. I need support and inspiration. So I surround myself with examples of what I'm trying to invite into my life. The more the better.
These days my goal is to improve my diet, transitioning to a mostly whole-food, plant-based diet with the hope of improving some aches as well as my energy levels.
So, I:
- Find delicious cookbooks and food blogs to inspire me with tasty, easy to make recipes
- Listen to podcasts and watch movies about nutrition and the effects of diet on health
- Hang out with friends who are already eating this way and share my goals with them. I ask them what works for them and for ideas on changing my own habits.
- Search out restaurants offering the sort of food I want to eat
Here are a few of the things that have been keeping me inspired lately. Perhaps you'll find some inspiration of your own. Join me on Instagram and Facebook every Monday for more.
LATEST INSPIRATIONS
THE WHOLE FOODS DIET
By John Mackey, Co-Founder of Whole Foods Market & Alona Pulde, MD & Matthew Lederman, MD
In the confusion of so much nutrition news, what do we actually know about how to not only look good but to live long and well? This book is not only straight forward and full of actual research but it gives great references for additional information.
THE BLUE ZONES
By Dan Buettner
What can we learn from the populations that live the longest? Dan Buettner's books, TED talk and lectures, National Geographic articles and specials dig into the daily habits of groups who not only live into their 9th and 10th decades but who are still active and thriving as inspiration for the rest of us.