Fighting the Winter Blues

Does anyone else get the winter blues?  I certainly do.  I think it all starts after Christmas when taking down the Christmas decorations.  I mean it's depressing right?  Putting up the Christmas decorations is fun, exciting, you Christmas music going and the house looks so festive.  Then after all the holidays everything gets packed away in boxes only to come out in another whole year!

My depression starts here and now.  This year I'm determined to not get in a funk.  Do you want (or need) to come along for the ride? :)  There are 3 things that I'm focused on.  Sometimes I plan on working on 1 of the 3 more than the other.  Sometimes I won't have time to do all 3 and that's ok!  I HAVE to be ok with that.  I'm somewhat of a type A or perfectionist.  I'm hard on myself, guilt myself (jeez what did I get done today?!).  I'm working on it!

1.  My Mental Health.  Every day I try to have my devotions and start the day off right.  Proverbs31 Ministries is my go to along with the Bible app.  Sometimes I read both, sometimes just one depending on my morning.  Proverbs31 Ministries has both an app (called First 5) and their website.  It's chalk full of readings, online Bible studies and inspiration.  I've been very faithful in the First 5 app in my morning.  There is always something I learn with every post.  

I've also been reading through a plan in the Bible app (YouVersion) called New Day, New You.  It's very quick and thoughtful.  The Bible app is awesome because they also have kid devotions that I read with Jack & Ella before school.  It's good for them to start of their day right too!

It's super easy to get the winter blues, especially in the northeast where it's cold (been bitter cold) and snowy.  The daily grind of kids, keeping up the house and mundane chores can really get you down.  Although I relish peace and quiet at times, I find that I work better, have more energy and a better attitude when I listen to music.  I absolutely love KLove (you can also listen online).  I listen to it on my Alexa and sometimes my own play lists in iTunes.

2. Exercise Consistently.  I've been a pretty healthy person all my life.  I was a competitive gymnast for 11 years and worked HARD.  I mean when I say worked hard, I was at the gym between 15 and 20 hours a week with meets (competitions) on the weekends.  We did so many push ups, sit ups, dips, races, sprints and we even pushed a car around a parking lot for training!  Gymnastics gave me a gift of health, confidence and friendships.  But at over 40 my body is beat.  I have a bad back, bad feet and bad knees.  So finding a workout that is right for me can be difficult.  But I have worked with amazing trainers in the past and also do my own research.

Let me start by saying that I don't like working out.  It is not something I look forward to.  BUT, being active and fit is good and once I DO it, I feel great!  I do have to force myself and when I get into it and am consistent it gets easier.  It's all about those endorphins!

I talked a little bit about my work outs here in an earlier post this week.  

3. Eating Better.  Let me just say that I don't eat unhealthy.  I've been a disciplined eater most of my life too.  I'm the crazy girl that gets an individual bag of chips and takes 4 days to eat it!  However I have a big sweet tooth.  To give you an idea, I used to put 10 teaspoons of sugar on my cereal growing up.  Full disclosure friends! HA!

Now I have this sweet tooth more under control, but I still love my sweets.  My choice?  I don't give up things.  I moderate.  I still eat pizza, chocolate, ice cream.  Do I eat them everyday?  No... Well... chocolate yes (dark chocolate minis with almonds).  

I've seen some meal plans that may be less calories, but are they healthy?  I'm not so sure.  What I'd like to learn is different, healthy and YUMMY recipes to eat.  I've been trying some out new ones that I hope to share with you soon!

These are the 3 things that I am going to do to fight the winter blues.  Are you fighting the winter blues?  I'd love to have you on this journey between now and the budding beauties of spring.  

Let's fight these winter blues!

xo Lulu