How We Roll: Coach Christy Ewing

Change is inevitable, this is what I know.  I have been in the midst of change over the past few months and I found myself reflecting upon how I roll when life events happen and change is coming my way whether I think I am ready for it or not.  I have found change can grab a hold of you and start to happen whether you like it or not, taking you along kicking and screaming because you want things to stay as they are (or maybe not).  I have also learned that I have to look for the good in whatever change is knocking on my door.  So how do I roll when I feel out of sorts, out of my routine, emotional and downright blah?  Here is my daily routine, it is not often the same each day and I just know it is important to be mindful about my own self-care.

6:00 Am: Wake up around 6-7am, depending on when I have to be at work.  Drink some water and pour a cup of coffee.  Each day I make it a point to be active, any activity is good and usually I do this in the morning before my kids wake up.  Take a walk, do some yoga, attend an exercise class or go for a short run.  Whatever feels the best to me is what I do.

7:00 AM: Breakfast time – if I am exercising early, then I make a smoothie with a combination of mixed berries, a handful of spinach, protein powder and flaxseed. On days I will be active later, I have a favorite breakfast hash recipe that I make of sautéed onions and garlic with ground turkey, grated butternut squash and chopped kale.  I top it off with an egg and some GT Vinegar.

7:40 AM: I then jump in the shower to get ready for my day, get the kids going or not going as is the case in the summer.

9:00 AM: I set up my day for successful, healthy eating.  I always pack my snack, maybe an apple with protein powder mixed with raw almond butter or a hard-boiled egg or two with some cantaloupe and strawberries.

11:30 AM:  1^st of my  (2) lunch salads.  One for around early afternoon and one for my late afternoon snack to curb the munchies before dinner.

2:30 PM: 2^nd lunch salad.  My salads are usually some greens, chopped red and green cabbage, carrots, onion, avocado and some salsa or GT vinegar and oil.

5:30 PM: Home for dinner, the evenings seem to be the most challenging time for me emotionally.  However, I am aware that I turn to food when my emotions are really coming to the surface.  To support myself with this I make it a point to quiet myself and listen to what my thoughts are.  I also set up my home with lots of fruit to munch on and if I do stop to buy an indulgence, I buy a single serving or small portion, so I know that I don’t have to rely on my willpower to stop me.

6:45 PM: Dinner is a veggie stir fry with lots of yummy greens from my weekly CSA, along with ground emu and topped with salsa.

8:00 PM: Most evenings I have a small smoothie after dinner with berries, ice, spinach and some protein powder.  I whip it up and eat it with a spoon to mindfully enjoy it.

Evenings are a time I spend time catching up with my girls, supporting them with what they need and reading before bed.  I make it a point to practice gratitude each and every day, writing at least one thing down each night in my journal that I am grateful for.

Speaking of gratitude, I am so thankful that I have learned how to care for myself and for the healthy behaviors that are now ingrained in what I do each day.  There is very little chance of me leaving for work without packing my lunch and snack or not having my water bottle with me, because it would feel as if I had left home without my pants on and this I have never done before.

Change is for the better, this I believe.  For right now my mantra is from Marilyn Monroe:  “I believe everything happens for a reason.  People change so that you learn to let go.  Things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they are right.  You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust your own intuition, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”  I believe that better things falling together are in my near future.