Focus on the Can
It is easy to become discouraged when we focus on what we can’t do. For example, I find it disheartening that I can’t exercise the way I did before suffering two major physical injuries. Wanting to eat healthy and lacking the time to cook vexes me. On top of that, I need to stay on budget and nutrient dense foods don’t come cheap. The list could go on.
Staying stuck on what we can’t do, make the time for, or afford, guarantees a high stress level. A negative life focus makes for a negative life, regardless of our circumstances. A shift of focus from CAN’T to CAN moves us from overwhelmed to overcoming.
Small changes add up to something much bigger, and in turn, become more sustainable over time.
The past couple of weeks I have been focusing more on the CAN. So what if I can’t do several high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts right now? I start small. I found a “fun” 30-day planking challenge to do with my husband. Each day, you do a different type of plank that focuses on a variety of muscle groups and builds your core strength. It’s doable because it take us less than five minutes per day and I have the satisfaction that we accomplished something together. Have there been a few hiccups to that plan? Absolutely! I was sick with a cold for a week, my back flared up, and this past weekend we helped my in-laws move. But despite the setbacks, we start right back up where we left off. I focus on the can. Even though it is only a small amount of exercise at the moment, the daily practice will allow me to eventually add in more exercises as my body continues to grow stronger.
Another small choice I made this weekend was to find organic egg noodles. While that might not seem like a big deal, to me it was a small change that I could make that would be better for my health without completely breaking the bank account. I usually try to buy most of my groceries organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. However, lately I have been buying a few “junkier” items as they were inexpensive and made for a quick meal. When I make chicken noodle soup, I love putting egg noodles in it as the broth is less starchy than with regular noodles (and I have yet to find a gluten-free noodle I actually like). As I am attempting to make a more conscious effort to eat healthier, I figured buying organic egg noodles was a start. By doing so, I am focusing on one small, positive change I can make when grocery shopping, which will in turn lead to more positive changes.
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