How I’m Getting In The Best Shape Of My Life

This week had me on the go! I had so many appointments and by Friday, I was DONE with LA traffic!

So, I took the weekend to relax.

Friday was our usual movie and a pizza night and Saturday, Zak and I had a date night.

Today, we have an easy family day planned where I’ll spend some time by the pool reading the new book I picked up last week (Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum).

As much as I love what I do, and I do, I’ve designed my life to be able to take time when I need it to care for mySELF.

I talked about this last week and got such a great response (plus so many questions!) that I decided to share details of how I’m focusing on getting in the best shape of my life!

Because one thing I know for sure (cue Lady O) is that you can’t be wealthy if you’re not healthy.

Think about it…

You can’t build a business and life that’s so good you’re only jealous of yourSELF if you’re too tired to get out of bed in the morning.

And, I get it.

There were so many changes for me in such a short period of time. While I was doing them, it felt great! But shortly after, I started to feel… like I wasn’t mySELF.

I had gained a few pounds, my energy was low, and I wasn’t sleeping well at all. I would sometimes wake up and lie there for an hour or two at a time.

It was exhausting.

I found it hard to be fully present with friends, family, and coworkers and that’s when I knew things had to change.

So, I reached out to JJ Virgin, creator of the “aging powerfully, not gracefully” movement and we go to work.

Today, I’ll share more details of what I’ve been doing that’s completely changed how I look and feel.

Remember, this is what is working for me. I can’t guarantee it will work for you but if any of it gets you excited and you wanna give it a try, feel free!

Or not.

The choice, as always, is yours.

To having BOTH health and wealth!

Cynthia

Creating The Identity of My Healthiest Self

My first step in changing my health was to get really clear on the identity of my healthiest self.

I decided I would no longer be the person “trying” to stick to a healthy routine. “Trying” to lose weight. “Trying” to eat more protein. “Trying” to relax more.

No.

I would be my Future Self now.

So, I wrote my Identity Statements. Here’s what they looked like:

I’m the kind of person who gets up early, before school and work, and gets in a workout so I don’t have to worry about squeezing it in later.

I’m the kind of person who eats at least 30 grams of protein at each meal by starting with protein first (another JJ Virgin concept).

 I’m the kind of person who goes for a walk after dinner instead of relaxing on the couch.

 I’m the kind of person who meditates every day after work instead of scrolling my phone.

You get the idea.

So now, when I wake up at 5am and my blankie feels soooo soft and warm and the LAST thing I want to do is get up and start moving my body, I remember who I am.

I’m the kind of person who gets up early, before school and work, and gets in a workout so I don’t have to worry about squeezing it in later.

Then, there’s no more trying. I just do the damn thing.

It’s non-negotiable. And SO much easier!

So think about YOUR healthiest Future Self and write 1 – 3 identity statements today starting with… “I’m the kind of person who…”

Use those statements this week when it comes time to do the thing and show the fuck up for yourSELF!

No trauma. No drama. Just you taking action because you’re the kind of person who does that.

How I Am Becoming The Healthiest Version Of Myself

Ok so on to the How… 

THIS is what I got so many questions about now that you’re clear on WHO you are choosing to be, let’s look at the HOW, shall we?

As I shared, I sat down with JJ Virgin and essentially said… just tell me what to do.

See, she’s known for starting the “aging powerfully, not gracefully” movement and she has this down to a science!

Her first recommendation… get your hormones tested.

I just did that on Friday so no results yet but I did listen to an amazing podcast episode with Shawn Stevenson and Dr. Lisa Mosconi (peep it here) that was SO very helpful.

I’m not quite to menopause yet but let’s be honest, I’m not getting any younger, and I want to prepare for what’s down the street and around the corner.

I picked up her book, “The Menopause Brain” and it’s so so good!

I’ll keep you posted on my results and next steps!

Next, I decided to plug my protocol and my work with JJ into the model of Transformational Nutrition.

Transformational Nutrition is a model of nutrition I created 19 years ago and it’s often copied, duplicated, and talked about because… It works!

It’s the modern model of health that blends physical, mental, and spiritual nutrition into one powerful and proven system of coaching. If you wanna learn more about TN, click here.

Ok so here’s what I’m doing in each pillar of Transformational Nutrition to make sure I have a balanced approach:

The Science of Nutrition (Physical Nutrition)

• Getting in more steps (Taking walks around the neighborhood in the am and pm helps so much!)
• Started weight training with heavier weights at least 3x/week (making me so tired but worth it)
• Using the app Sesh to mix up workouts (ugh again, hard but so good)
• Bought an Oxiline scale to track body composition – I want to be strong, not just thin
• Started taking a new Omega 3 supplement
• Taking magnesium capsule before bed (I rarely wake up now and if I do, I’m back to sleep in minutes)
• Eating more protein (25 – 30g at each meal) and eating it first following JJ’s protocol
• Eating greens and veggies at each meal
• Cut out alcohol
• Began taking MitoPure and a round of Qualia Senolytic
• Doing a round of VSL probiotics (packets not capsules)
• Blood work and Nutraeval tests (stay tuned!)
• Got an Oura ring (swore I never would but here we are!) to track sleep and overall wellness

The Psychology of Nutrition (Mental Nutrition)

• Meditating daily (this has been so helpful)
• Reading physical books more (no more phone)
• Breathwork 2 – 3x / week
• Rewriting my stories around stress. I’m not “busy”, life is just “full”

The Spirituality of Nutrition (Spiritual Nutrition)

• Doubling down on family time with no distractions (bye, phone)
• Spend more time with friends, laughing and connecting (feeds my soul)
• Spending more time in nature with no distractions
• Listening to the Ram Dass podcast instead of another “business building” podcast

Sooo… has any of this even helped?

The short answer is… YES!

I’ve lost weight and I’m sleeping great every night!

But more importantly, I have more energy, I’m more present for the things that matter, and I’m growing stronger (physically, mentally, and spiritually) every day!

I think more clearly and overall, I’m more calm and happier.

The important takeaway is to do a check-in with yourSELF.

What’s going well? (Keep doing that.)

What isn’t? (Choose 1 – 2 things to turn it around.)

Start today.

Oh and let me know if info on health and wellness is helpful to you. This won’t turn into that but I’ll be happy to share my finds, new things I’m doing that’s working, and more!

Finally… you can find JJ and her amazing daily tips, workouts, and recipes on Instagram @jjvirgin.