Happy New Year!

Last year I said I was not doing resolutions. And I didn’t. I didn’t this year either. Yay, good for me on consistency! What did I do then, you ask? Let me tell you!

I am believing more and more in ritual, habits, routines and systems. Not that I don’t have goals. I do. Instead of putting all the importance on the goal achievement such as losing 30 pounds, I put the effort into the actual process that can help me achieve that goal. What is really incredible about this is, I have heard about processes to achieve goals for forever and never really understood that I can make my own process. For some reason when I had this epiphany this year, it really hit home.

Now everywhere I look someone is telling me how to build a system or create a habit and it was as if I had never seen this before. I guess it is really true that you can only receive messages you are ready to hear.

For the end goal of losing 30 pounds, I set the intention to build lean muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. It helps your body look tight and toned. It eats glucose, literally and lean muscle makes you strong. Or maybe vice versa, strength builds lean muscle? Whichever it is that is the intention.

Ok so now to build that process you need to know the how. How do I intend to build lean muscle? The how is specific to the knowledge you have right now or are willing to gain before setting the process. However, you can always learn something new and pivot your process. Clarity follows action. In this instance I know to build lean muscle I need exercise and specifically strength training. I will begin with strength training 3 days a week.

Another how in the process building is to eat more protein. Right now, you see, I am not saying that I will cut anything out of my diet. Just adding more protein. Perhaps I have a protein shake mid-morning.

It is just so unrealistic to try to make huge lifestyle changes out of the blue. In order to make lifestyle changes that work, you have to start keeping promises to yourself that are doable. I know this from things I have already learned whether it be experience or knowledge shared from others. I am using that knowledge to build my process.

Working out and eating more protein lead to more good decisions. I may skip the sweets that I normally want or even better I might not crave them at all. And it will be because I am making other healthy choices. Choices like my next step Read on!

The third step I am taking is to try to stop my blood glucose from spiking after eating. It really causes all of kinds of issues with your body. Hormone disruption, weight gain and insulin resistance just to name a few. But there is hope even if you love dessert, like me. I found Jessie Inschauspe author of Glucose Revolution and follow her advice on how to keep glucose from spiking. I love that she always says do this or do that, when it is easy. So don’t throw your entire life out of balance by becoming overly obsessed with this. That is such a great take and I love it.

What are your plans for a great year?