Often the hardest part is getting started

My nutrition journey started many years ago. In the 80s I became vegetarian and for the most part that has held. It is likely one of my longer running ‘habits’. It was challenging when I first started. Back then we did not have plant-based options. Public opinion wasn’t a fan either, at least that is my recollection. Salads were my mainstay. For some reason, I stayed with it. I just wanted a change and more awareness around my eating.

Despite what many may think, being vegetarian (or in my case pescatarian) isn’t a magic bullet with respect to health and nutrition. In many regards it is just another diet. Any particular way of eating or not eating is basically a diet. Transcending a diet, for me anyway, is learning about and embracing nutrition. That is the journey I have been on for many, many years and have yet to master. Most recently I have been on the Noom program. It has been almost five months. I really like it. It doesn’t require a whole lot of effort on my part. I don’t feel like I’m deprived or missing out. That is huge! My recent Noom lessons are focused on experimentation. Pick something, do it, track data and measure results. Easy enough. I had selected a physical exercise, however, that isn’t going to work with my compromised wrist. New plan, now my focus for experimentation will be meditation. My goal is to practice for 30 minutes a day for the next 7 days. My hypothesis is that I will create awareness and be more mindful in that space between stimulus and response. As for measurements, I’ll try to capture those gaps and indicate whether I respond automatically, or, if I am able to pause and respond mindfully.

My schedule is a bit loose and I’m juggling a puppy. To accommodate this, I identified three options of times during the day to practice. 10:30, 3:30 or 8:30. I’ll be curious to see if one holds better than the others. So far today I have missed the 10:30 slot. My plan is to hit the 3:30.

Meditation is something that has been eluding me for years. At least sitting and clearing my mind. I do it here and there yet lack consistency. Walking is a great form of meditation in motion. As is yoga, pilates and similar body mind exercises. For years I had a prayer and reflection practice. I was able to break a lot of bad habits through the course of that practice. When we moved, I just stopped putting the time in. Until today that is. Now I am recommitted and will make it happen.