How old are you?
How old do you feel?
When I first started teaching yoga, there was a quote by Joseph Pilates that would circle the studios I taught at, "you're only as young as your spine is flexible." That quote made a lot of sense to me early on and a persuasive conversation about why I may have many core strengthening, forward, and back bending ques in a sequence. While I would never argue with Joseph Pilates
(I'm a both-and kind of gal), I'd have to say you're only as young as long as you're not inflamed.
Have you seen this meme going around? The Golden Girls and Sex In The City Reboot cast are the same age here.
I'm definitely on the nutrition-based cellular regeneration, biohacking train. On biohacking, I'm loving Kayla Barnes Instagram, check it out.
Is inflammation a buzzword? Back in the day, I used to think it only pertained to knees; however, "back in the day" may have been in my twenties. Inflammation to me in my 40's is about gut and brain health. The question is not about the inflamed joint, but what is inflaming it and how can I heal.
Over the holidays, I like many people filled my plate and had a cup of cheer or two or three; y'all know I like some Prosecco. I'm feeling it. Not just in my waistline but my energy levels and mood. Honestly, I could care less about the waist; gathering and feasting with friends is part of memory-making that makes life sweet at the end of the year. The slippery slope for me is when my body gets used to excess, and it starts to crave more spiking cortisol, making me sluggish, not motivated to move my body, and weepy; who wants that? Not me!
I'm starting a program with Josh on Thursday called 75Hard. While it's not for everyone, this enneagram 3 is always up for a good challenge regarding health and wellness.
75Hard Rules
- Follow a diet: The diet can be anything you choose, whether it's Whole30, vegetarian, plant-based, pescatarian, gluten-free, Paleo, no sugar, low-carb — you choose, but there has to be a physical improvement in mind. This doesn't necessarily mean weight loss, but the diet change has to make you feel better in some way. Maybe you want to eat less sugar because you know it upsets your stomach. Or perhaps you want to go plant-based to lower your cholesterol levels.
- Two 45-minute workouts; one has to be outside: There are no specifics about the workouts, how intense they need to be, or the type. You could do a strength-training exercise at the gym, then take a 45-minute walk outside. You can run outside for 45 minutes, then take a yoga class. You can even work out longer than 45 minutes. You choose, but the outdoor workout has to happen, whether it's raining or -10 degrees out. The point is that you can't always control the weather, just like you can't always control things in your life.
- No alcohol, and no "cheat meals:" No cheat meals means you can't stray from the diet you chose. That means if you say you're giving up sugar, you can't have one tiny bite of cake, or else you need to start back on Day 1. The point is to teach you how to stay focused on the goals you set.
- Take a progress picture every day: Looking back at the photos will help you see how far you've come and keep you on track if you want to give up.
- Drink one gallon of water: This will teach you that the simplest tasks can sometimes be the hardest to do.
- Read ten pages of a book (audiobooks don't count): This has to be a nonfiction book, so you can learn something and grow your mind.
I'm curious if the 75Hard will become a lifestyle I crave. I'll be honest; I can't see my life without a cocktail or two on the weekends. But I'll trade my indulgences with clarity and stability of mind, mood, emotion, cellular regeneration, inner and outer strength for a 75-day sprint. I'll keep you posted.
Are you doing any energetic reset? It's part of my 2022 intention to fill up the self-care cup first to give from abundance and not deplete.
If you're a yoga mom like me, I want to encourage you to find something to commit to. Sometimes a little challenge where someone else brings the structure and holds the space can help us come home to ourselves. When you're loving and serving your family daily and teaching multiple classes per week without a regular recipe for your self-care, imposter syndrome can set in when you don't feel like practicing what you preach. Sometimes when we've neglected our needs for too long, it can feel almost impossible to jump back in; the shame spiral is real.
Send me a message if you want to do the 75Hard alongside me. I'll cheer for and check in on you. My friend Lesli Marshall has been documenting her progress, and it's been inspiring. I'll have her be a guest on a January Friends on Friday Instagram Live so you can hear her experience first hand.
Before I sign off ...
If you are curious about getting to the roots of inflammation because I know it can feel like the Wild Wild West out there, I'm inviting you to listen in on a Zoom call Monday, January 17th at 8 PM CST. No camera is required and feel free to post your questions in the chat. Interested, CLICK HERE.
