It’s Valentine’s week, which is often a week of opposing views (well it gives us a break from the B word views, doesn’t it!). Those in new and fresh relationships looking forward to receiving and sending Valentine’s love with one person, those in practical long term love who don’t wish to spend or can’t afford to do the commercial Valentine’s thing, those who are not in the mood, don’t have a Valentine, forgot and so on.
I firmly believe that we can choose to practice self love. I’m referring to caring for yourself as well as possible – which will in turn help others whom you love. A person who has good health mentally and physically can care for others better than someone who is exhausted and overwhelmed. Remember the expression: ‘put on your own oxygen mask before helping others with theirs”.
Caring for our self takes more than the odd healthy meal, good nights sleep or exercise class as indeed showing your true love takes more than a card and bunch of flowers for one day a year!
Taking an ongoing consistent approach to your health is the way to maintain love in one’s self, choosing what is best for you in terms of what goes into your body i.e. nutritious food, drink, supplements and quantities – impacting energy, skin, hair, organs, fat levels, joint, muscle, connective tissue, bone, organ, brain, and microbiome health.
What you do with your body i.e. balanced and varied movement, some high intensity, some low, stretching, stabilising, balancing, and strengthening. Addressing damaging movement or lack of and doing something that addresses at least one of the aforementioned fitness categories everyday and achieving all of them across the week.
Consider what we do with our mind i.e. dealing with stress and mood, negative thought patterns, overwhelm etc. and creating positive thoughts, focus and motivation. We can do this via exercise, meditation, talking with therapists such as NLP, life coaching, CBT, counseling, psychotherapy.
Endeavour to keep thoughts, deeds and actions positive. I practice thankfulness e.g. I might think “omg I have so much laundry to do”, I reframe by saying to myself I’m thankful for having a washing machine to help and clothes, bedding, towels etc. to wash. I still have washing to do but I’m thankful for it.
When a sad or grumpy thought enters my mind I pay attention to the message, say thank you for the message, decide on when and how I will action that message and then choose to focus on my blessings to keep me moving forward in a happy, purposeful way.
I don’t always succeed and sometimes I allow myself to become grumpy, overtired and frustrated but hey, I’m human!
Thought hygiene is a big topic that deserves more than a paragraph. If you are interested I will discuss further at a later date.
Get help where you need it and delegate where you can to prevent overwhelm and help you make the time to maintain/improve your health and fitness.
‘A human doing can get in the way of a human being!’
You can book an appointment with me if you want help with anything I’ve outlined above.
What to look forward to…
More fabulousness as always. Of course, a full smorgasbord of varied and original classes to keep you happy, healthy, fit and inspired.
We have some newbies joining us and so I request that you welcome them warmly and offer your usual patience with them (and me) as they learn.
Your support certainly makes a difference as to how they enjoy the classes and encouraging them to return.
INDEPENDANCE!
This very sassy team will be presenting their creative masterclasses at INDEPENDANCE on Sunday 3 March, in Farnham Surrey. 2-6pm
Join Helen Carpenter-Waters & Zoe McNulty on the DANCE floor, where you get to experience a range of fantastic styles;
* Commercial Backup Crew – Zoe
* Fabulicious – Helen
* Raunch – Zoe
* Dancer’s Stretch – Helen
Everyone welcome. Tickets only £38.
Book here https://bit.ly/29AkyZF.
Book now !
Valentines Delight
Good for your heart and ok for your gut
Ingredients
1 ripe avocado
4 tbs cacao powder
250ml coconut milk, refrigerated
30ml strong espresso
3 tbs raw organic honey
Method
Place the avocado, cacao powder, espresso and honey in a food processor and blend until creamy.
Changing to a whipping blade, add the firm coconut cream from the tin. Don’t use the watery liquid at the bottom. This can be kept for another recipe. Whip until light and fluffy.
Spoon into bowls and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
For extra romance and goodness dress with strawberries!
Remember, I love ya (Valentines and always!)
Helen xx
