A New Twist on Guided Meditation Walks
Today's journey brought a new experience to my precision nutrition program—attempting my guided meditation walk outdoors, diverging from my usual treadmill routine. While embracing the fresh air and changing scenery, I found the outdoor environment less conducive to the deep focus I've enjoyed on the treadmill. The need to remain alert to cars, dogs, and passersby, all while trying to follow the meditation prompts, introduced a level of distraction that detracted from the relaxation and focus I sought. This contrasted starkly with the serene concentration I naturally find during our forest hikes, where the absence of guided audio allows me to intuitively tune into my body's movements and sensations.
Valuable Connections Through Zoom
A standout moment today was participating in a Zoom call with one of the program's coaches. The open office format of the call, scheduled later to accommodate international participants, including those from New Zealand and India, enriched the session with diverse perspectives and questions. The community aspect of these calls is proving to be a crucial element of my success in the program. Today's discussion introduced me to the concept of flaked quinoa, a novel ingredient I'm eager to incorporate into my diet as I haven't found many quinoa recipes that I like yet.
Today's Lesson: The Power of Supportive Communities
The focus of today's lesson was on the importance of surrounding ourselves with a community that supports our wellness goals. Reflecting on my own experiences I can say that my son is my number one cheerleader.
Supportive People
My son, who accompanies me on forest hikes and short walks, plays a significant role in my active lifestyle, reinforcing the value of having supportive family members in achieving my health and fitness goals. He isn't 100% on board with the Precision Nutrition program as he feels that I am not focused enough on calories but he is 100% on board with me wanting to better myself and is available almost every day for walks. My hubby is supportive but he is limited to being able to go far on walks due to his traumatic injury last summer that required multiple surgeries on his leg and has his own physio program he is following. Most of my family and friends are supportive but not as hands-on.
Challenges from My Social Circle
At the same time I've encountered resistance and lack of understanding from some family and friends regarding my participation in this program. From differing views on dietary choices to skepticism about the program's approach to habit change, navigating these interactions requires patience and adaptation. It is really eye-opening as I try and go out of my way to be a cheerleader for the things they are doing so to have negative feedback of any kind is an adjustment for me.
Strategies for Harmonious Integration
In light of today's reflections, I've been contemplating how to better integrate my wellness journey with my social environment. Continuing our forest hikes and after-dinner walks with my son and dog will remain a priority. Additionally, I've adapted mealtime strategies to accommodate different family dynamics, such as altering where I eat when certain family members are present and introducing serve-yourself options at family dinners to manage portion sizes discreetly.
It's important for me to see how much less food people will take if you let them serve themselves. Of course, no one else in my family "finishes their plates" and routinely have scraped off food or stored it for a second meal. Leftovers are never a bad thing either, so I'm happy to continue this way of people serving themselves.
Reflection: Nurturing Growth Through Community and Adaptation
Today underscored the complex interplay between personal wellness journeys and the social environments in which they unfold. The realization that external conditions—be it the setting of a meditation walk or the dynamics of family and friend interactions—significantly influence our ability to maintain focus and commitment to our goals, has been illuminating. Embracing the community support available through the program, while also finding ways to peacefully coexist with less supportive elements, presents a balanced path forward.
As I look ahead, I'm reminded of the importance of continuous adaptation, not just in how we approach our wellness routines, but also in how we engage with those around us. Building and nurturing a supportive community, both within and outside the program, is essential for sustained growth and success on this journey toward health and well-being.
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