The title of this post is one of my most favourite Precision Nutrition mantras. I've been repeating it to myself quite a lot lately as I soldier on toward the end of January with all the great intentions I lined up for this year.  And I wanted to check in with you to see how your 2018 is shaping up so far. 

I'm happy to say that I've been pretty much on-track with most of my intentions for 2018.  I am a lot more consistent with my workouts, and last week I started a yoga class in town.  The folks there have been friendly and welcoming, and the instructor is awesome.  I have been eating much better, moving my body more, and playing catch up with housework that was neglected over the holidays. We managed to get out on our bikes once (wow, I have a lot of work to do there!), and the weather was so nice last weekend that we even spent a day outside working in the garden (yard, for my American readers).  Unheard of in January, but I love that type of movement and putting my hands in the dirt is always fun, so I was a happy girl! 

Frustratingly, I haven't as yet lost any of the extra weight I put on between November and January, but I know it will happen.  I was starting to get mad at myself about it, but then I realised how counterproductive that was.  So here I am writing about it instead.  My husband is off to Poland for a few days for work and I have even MORE time on my hands.  Oh joy.  No, really.  Last time he went away (earlier this month) I spent a few wonderful days traipsing around Tuscany.  It was no hardship by any means, mind you, and a great escape to keep myself (mostly) out of trouble whilst on my own for an extended period of time.  However, our budget can't support my doing that every time he has to travel for work, so I'm working on finding ways to be positive and productive right here at home.  Oh, and social too.  Hence the yoga class as a starting point.  I also made my first batch of liquid Castille soap, which turned out really well, so add another new hobby to the list.  Eventually I'd like to perfect the recipe and offer it for sale, but we'll see.  For now it's just nice to know what we're putting on our skin.

I also have made some great progress on my personal goals.  While my studio is still a bit of a mess and I haven't managed to wade through the three feet of paperwork that are beckoning to me, I have done some really cool visualisation work and started making my bucket list.  I haven't managed to get 101 things on it yet, but I have made it to 70.  Have you ever made a bucket list for yourself?  It's not only fun, but also inspiring and motivating, and I highly recommend doing it!  if nothing else, it pulls some of those wishes, goals, and intentions out of the cobwebs in the recesses of your brain and gives you a chance to think about them.  I am learning that if you set a strong intention, opportunities for you to realise it will present themselves as if by magic.  So the bucket list (or wishlist) is an important exercise to help you get those things you desire. Until you go through the exercise of writing them down or stating them aloud, they remain stored back there somewhere in the dust, unable to express themselves or be fulfilled.  So go for it!

Something else I've done better is re-instituting my EFT practice.  During my PN client year I talked a lot about the EFT/Tapping videos I did with a guy I found on YouTube called Brad Yates.  He still is my runaway favourite and I find that when I do the Tapping on a daily basis I feel much, much better.  Between the Tapping and some new affirmations my brain already feels lighter and happier.  If you've been thinking about starting a practice, please do.  It might feel a bit silly at first, but it really, really works.  When you do it.  Preferably consistently.  Once I'm more consistent with my practice I'll add some meditation to my days as well.  The more I read about it the more I realise how much we all need it in order to maintain brain health (among other things).  When was the last time you were able to get your brain to be quiet for 10-15 minutes?

I still have a long way to go toward my health and fitness goals, since I seem to have a great talent for getting in the way of my own progress.  But as I mentioned in my last post, I am no longer striving for perfection, since all that ever did was make me crazy (or crazier?) anyway.  No, now progress of any kind is a beautiful, welcomed, and really happy thing.  And so onward the year goes, progressing nicely.

What progress are you making so far this year? 

Have a health of a day.

Juli