The past few weeks were full of great things – knowledge, travel, friends, family, fun…and food. Oh, the food. There were drinks, appetizers, entrees, desserts – the whole enchilada! To say that I ate a lot would be an understatement. While everything was delicious, the food was super rich and decadent. As someone who usually eats out once a week, it was a lot to take and the aftereffect was not pretty. Some words that come to mind are tired and sluggish.
But I don’t believe in regrets, especially when it comes to good food.
Instead, as of this past Sunday, I am on a “get back on track” plan. This is not a diet or a short-term fix, and in all honesty, food is only ¼ of the puzzle. A few critical elements were missing over the past few weeks, and I want need to incorporate them back into my routine.
#1 on my list is SLEEP! I am definitely one of those people that needs her 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I have no idea how I managed with an average of 5 hours of sleep a night (if that) while traveling. And even when I was back in Miami last week, I didn’t sleep all that well because I was sick.
The game plan is to be in bed by 10 pm and wake up at 5:30 am. It’s doable and more than necessary! Personally, when I don’t get enough sleep, my body lets me know in a big way. Namely, I’m cranky and no fun to be around. Ask Vishnu!
#2 on my list is to go back to the basics in terms of my meals. I still plan to eat out once a week (because who wants to be in the kitchen every single day), but as far as our home cooked meals are concerned, there will be lots of veggies and veggie proteins involved.
I also want to cut out unnecessary sugar where possible (dark chocolate not included). This is a must because as you guys know, I have a little tiny sweet tooth (ha!), and while I could say no to a glass of wine or a cheesy appetizer, I could not say no to dessert. There were chocolate cakes, donuts, cookies, shakes, hot chocolates, crumbles, and the list goes on. I am in dire need of a sugar detox. And just to reiterate, I am not going on a diet or cutting out sugar entirely. I just want to be more mindful of how much of it I consume.
#3 on my list is exercise. So, I did manage to fit in 3-4 structured workouts/week over the past two weeks. And we did dance quite a lot in Vegas. Therefore, I am not giving myself a big fat F in this category. However, in order to feel ready for the Tough Mudder (ahhh!!!), I have to be more intentional with my workouts – lots of running and lots of strength training.
And finally, #4 is reading before bed. I find that reading before bedtime is one of the few things that enables a good night’s rest for me. And reading is my ultimate “me time” activity. You should see me when I’m engrossed in a good book! It literally pains me to put it down. Since this is one of those things that’s good for my mind, body, and soul, I plan to do more of it!
So, yeah. This is how I plan to get back on track. I also have some thoughts for how to stay on track while travelling, but I’ll save that post for another time. I should probably get back on track before I talk about how to stay on track. Ha!
What are some things that would definitely be on your “get back on track” plan?
Sleep would be key for me to get back to my routine after a holiday or other special occasion, too. Just being in my own bed instead of a hotel or at other people’s houses makes a huge difference from what I noticed. Me time – getting to relax a little after being surrounded by many others – is another one I’d add. I like being with others but need to take a breath and break from the hustle bustle at times.
Your plan sounds great especially in that it’s nothing ‘extreme’ and that you don’t regret the fun times you had. I need to get into the reading before bed again, too. It’s way more calming for the mind than spending time at the laptop … guilty.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Regret – it’s what you make from it
Me time is key for me. I need some space to just turn off and process. When I’m around other people, I feel the need to be on all the time. If I don’t get a chance to recharge properly, I’ll never get back on track.
And amen to sleeping in our own beds! 🙂
Good for you! I think the people struggle most when trying to get back on track are those that don’t have a plan and write down those goals
When I get off track I normally have been sticking with workouts, but gone overboard with the food and giving in to my in night owl ways. I need to try to make myself bed earlier… last night I was up til nearly 2am!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Tagalong French Toast + A Broccoli Weekend
I don’t know how you do it, Laura! If I’m not in bed by 10:30 pm, I feel so off! But hey, at least you’re super productive!
i agree on sleep 100%. When I am off track with my routine, I make sure I am exercising even if it means just a brisk walk and focusing on plenty of vegetables. Cutting down on sugar or refines carb is another big one for me because I feel better when I stay away from them, piece of dark chocolate does not fall on this category though 😛
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted…Buddha’s Herbs Tea Review
Sleep is so underrated yet so important! There is no cure like a good night’s rest. 🙂
And dark chocolate is full of antioxidants so it should always be a part of our diets!
This is great!! I love that you have a plan!! ANd so smart… no regrets! When I regret what I ate and try to punish myself to make up for it, I just end up eating more than if I nourished my body and just got back on track!
Cailee recently posted…Gluten- Free, Dairy- Free Chocolate Treats
You are so on point! Regret = punishment for me too. And who needs that kind of extra stress?! I just remind myself that it was my choice to eat those (delicious) foods and now I have the choice to move on and get back on track.
These are some awesome points Parita! For me personally, the number 1 (and only) thing for me to do to get back on track is workout! When my routine is disrupted – for whatever reason – thats where I fall short so the moment I can squeeze in a great sweat session is the beginning of getting back on track for me.
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com recently posted…Strawberry Pancakes with Chocolate Sauce
And the best part about that is that you don’t need to spend an hour + getting a great sweat session in. My favorite (and most effective) workouts are short and sweet!
If I made a list of things that make me feel normal and centered, it would be the same four things you just talked about. If I’m missing out on one of them, I feel so much more stressed out and lost. Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as reading, can make us feel better? I love it 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Sunshine & Weekend Things
I am convinced that books are a type of medicine!
Clearly we’re on the same page 😉
After the bake-off, the eats of been well a weeee bit sugary so I’m trying to eat more veggies and protein to prevent some sort of vitamin deficiency!
Davida @The Healthy Maven recently posted…Thai Salmon Salad
No kidding! Looking back, it was like sugar became a food group for me over the past few weeks. LOL!