Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog, Reforming Rob! It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started down this path of improving my mind, body, and spirit from a self-reliance perspective. I decided to give a quick blog update on how things are going so far. This also gave me an opportunity to reflect on what changes I need to make to my written programs.
The Physical Fitness Results
Here’s a snapshot of my one-page written fitness plan. It includes workouts 5 days per week with a scheduled run distance and simple repeating sets of calisthenics for each day. I really like the accountability a written plan provides, and more than once it has been enough of a motivator to get me going when I otherwise probably wouldn’t have.
I have to say that I’m excited to report that two days ago I was able to run the whole 4 miles for the first time in over two years! And then I repeated that yesterday, and it was even easier and felt better! Running has been a huge part of my identify for the last 15 years or so, and it feels so good to recapture some of the old fire and desire.
As support to my fitness plan, I’ve been following my eating and fueling plan closely. As a reminder, that plan includes eating whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and legumes as the basic structure of my diet, and then support it with limited protein and dairy products. Then, in an effort to put a cage around my dang sweet tooth, I’m limiting dessert of any kind to one or two per week maximum.
Although it’s only been a few weeks, I already feel the positive effects of this plan! I’ve been sleeping better and have more stable energy throughout the day.
One change I intend to make right away is to add some kind of stretching or yoga routine into my week. With the extra physical training my old joints and reawakened muscles are crying out for it.
The Mental and Spiritual Results
My mental health plan includes these daily and weekly activities. Similarly to my fitness plan, there has been a real benefit to having these activities on paper where I’m held to a higher accountability personally to ensure I’m acting on them.
Although prayer has been a big part of my life for most of my life, having an extra emphasis on gratitude has helped me re-structure my “normal” prayer. I’ve found myself complaining less, asking for less, and just enjoying letting God know that I recognize His hand in my affairs all the time.
Meditation is essential for me, now more than ever. I was originally worried about setting aside a full 30 minutes for meditation, but I’m finding the practice more and more appealing and as something to look forward to more each day. Sometimes I use one of the guided mediations from the Calm app, and other days I prefer the silence (or at least as silent as house with ten kids can get!).
I LOVE having “booked” reading time every day! I will have finished two books this week, one audio-book “Invisible Man” by Ralph Elison (eye opening), and “Last Full Measure” by Jeff Shaara. If you enjoy historical fiction, there are no better authors than Jeff and Michael Shaara (father and son)! They make history alive and right in front of you…
I’m trying something new, and sketch-book style journaling is growing on me! At the very minimum I’m getting a few minutes drawing every day and am really enjoying that. The prayer and meditation roll naturally into the gratitude journaling. One huge and almost instantaneous benefit to me has been journaling my self-talk. As with the other components of this plan, there is an unmistakable element of accountability to stop the name calling and bullying at myself when I have to write about it each night.
A vital strategy for improving my mental health is to put myself in sacred places each week. I was able to visit the Gilbert Temple last night. I just walked the grounds and sat on a bench for a few minutes, and I recorded some thoughts on my phone.
My thoughts and mind slow here. Peace like a fog settles over me, the kind I rarely find anywhere else. My heart tells me this truly is God’s house, and I love that I can be here now, even if it’s just a stroll in the garden tonight.”
And of course, I can’t talk about sacred places without bringing up desert and mountain trails I love so much. I was able to get out with one of my teen daughters this week for a trail hike, and the conversation and laughter were just as therapeutic as the sunshine and the beauty of the desert. It’s an inspiring moment to take in the beauty of God’s creations, and then to realize there is one looking back at me in the mirror every day. Now, how could that NOT be effective at healing and strengthening my mental health?!?
The last part of my plan is to do weekly service. Most of my kids and I joined other families to clean our church building this week. Members do the cleaning instead of having formal janitorial service. Connecting with my family and others is part of the plan…making connections with people.
I’m not ready to make any changes to my mental health plan yet. What I’ve started is working, there’s no doubt. The benefits have been staggering and almost immediate.
Time will tell what other adjustments need to happen.
Thank you again for taking time to read my blog! I hope you're having success with your own wellness journey! Please share your experiences in the comments, or email me directly.
Until next time...
PEACE!
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