Build a Wellness Routine for Real Life (Not Just Ideal Days)
Updated: 4 days ago
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every day went exactly as planned?
You wake up feeling rested, get your exercise in, eat perfectly balanced meals, drink all your water, and somehow manage to get everything on your to-do list accomplished.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
But let's be realistic. How often does that actually happen?
Life gets busy. Plans change. Someone needs your help. Work takes longer than expected. You're tired, overwhelmed, or simply not in the mood.
And suddenly, that wonderful wellness routine you worked so hard to create goes right out the window.
Here's something I remind my clients ALL the time.
If your healthy routine only works when everything goes perfectly, it's probably not the right routine for YOU!
Healthy living needs to fit into your REAL life. Not some imaginary version of your life where you have unlimited time, energy, and motivation.
So how do we make that happen?
Stop Building Routines Around Perfect Days
I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is creating routines based on what we WANT our days to look like instead of what they actually look like.
We decide we're going to exercise for an hour every morning, cook dinner from scratch every night, get eight hours of sleep, and never miss a day.
Wonderful goals!
But what happens when you have an early appointment? Your grandchild needs you? You're traveling? Or you simply didn't sleep well the night before?
Does your entire plan fall apart?
It shouldn't!
Instead of creating ONE perfect routine, why not create a few options?
For example:
Plan A: A 45-minute workout when time and energy allow.
Plan B: A 20-minute walk when your schedule gets busy.
Plan C: Ten minutes of movement, stretching, or even a few exercises while watching television.
All three count!
The goal isn't to follow the same routine every single day.
The goal is to continue taking care of yourself, even when your day looks different than expected.
The Power of 13: Keep It Simple!
This is exactly why I created my Power of 13 approach to healthy living.
After years of working with people on their health and wellness, one thing became very clear to me.
We have a tendency to make healthy living MUCH more complicated than it needs to be.
We search for the perfect eating plan, the perfect exercise program, the perfect schedule, and the perfect time to begin.
But healthy living isn't rocket science.
It's about understanding the everyday habits that support our health and finding ways to make them work for us.
My Power of 13 focuses on 13 common-sense areas of healthy living. And while all 13 are important, that doesn't mean you have to tackle everything at once.
Maybe right now your focus is drinking more water.
Maybe it's getting more movement into your day.
Maybe it's planning meals so you're not standing in front of the refrigerator at 5:30 wondering what on earth you're going to make for dinner.
Start where you are. Work on what you need. Build from there.
That's how we create habits that last.
Find Your Pocket of Time
I've been talking a lot lately about finding your pocket of time.
We all have certain times of day when we have more energy, more focus, or simply a little more patience!
For me, mornings are my best time.
I know if I'm going to exercise, getting it done early works best for ME.
I also frequently prepare our dinner salads while I'm making breakfast.
Why?
Because I have the energy and attention to do it then. And at 5:30, when I'm ready to put dinner together, those salads are already waiting in the refrigerator.
One less thing to think about!
Maybe your best time is during lunch. Maybe it's after work. Maybe it's in the evening when the house finally gets quiet.
There is no right answer.
Ask yourself:
When do I have the most energy and attention to take care of the things that matter to me?
Then start building your routine around THAT time.
Stop trying to force yourself into a schedule that doesn't fit your life.
Make Healthy Choices Easier
One of my favorite pieces of advice is to make the healthy choice the EASY choice.
Think about it.
When you're tired, hungry, or overwhelmed, are you really interested in spending an hour preparing dinner?
Probably not!
That's why a little preparation can make such a difference.
Keep washed fruit in the refrigerator. Have frozen vegetables available. Cook extra chicken so you have leftovers. Keep a few simple meals in the freezer.
And don't underestimate the value of convenience foods!
Rotisserie chicken, bagged salads, frozen vegetables, and pre-cut produce can be wonderful tools.
You don't get extra points for making everything from scratch!
The same goes for exercise.
Keep your walking shoes where you can see them. Have a few short workouts available. Find activities you actually enjoy.
The easier you make something, the more likely you are to do it.
Attach New Habits to Things You Already Do
Here's another simple idea I love.
Instead of trying to remember to do something new, connect it to something you're already doing.
For example:
While your morning coffee is brewing, drink a glass of water.
After brushing your teeth, spend a few minutes stretching.
While watching your favorite television show, do some sit-to-stands or light movement.
After dinner, take a short walk.
Before going to bed, take a few minutes to plan tomorrow's meals.
Nothing complicated.
You're simply building on routines you already have.
And over time, those little choices become part of your everyday life.
Consistency Doesn't Mean Perfection
This is a BIG one!
I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say:
"I was doing so well, and then life got in the way."
Or...
"I missed three days, so I guess I'll start again on Monday."
Why Monday?
Why not the very next opportunity?
One missed workout doesn't erase all the workouts you've completed.
One restaurant meal doesn't undo weeks of healthy eating.
And one difficult day certainly doesn't mean you've failed.
Consistency isn't about never missing a day. It's about not allowing one missed day to become a reason to give up.
Sometimes we need to adjust our expectations.
Sometimes we need to simplify.
And sometimes we just need to pick up where we left off.
That's not failure.
That's REAL life!
Don't Forget the Importance of Support
I think we sometimes forget that we don't have to figure everything out on our own.
Having someone in your corner can make such a difference.
Someone to help you think through challenges, celebrate your progress, and remind you of your goals when life gets busy.
That's one of the things I love most about coaching and our support groups.
We share ideas. We learn from one another. We talk about what's working AND what's not.
And we remind each other that we're all navigating different circumstances.
What works beautifully for one person may not work for someone else.
And that's okay!
Your healthy lifestyle should be as individual as YOU are.
So, What Does YOUR Real-Life Wellness Routine Look Like?
Here's what I'd love for you to do this week.
Take a look at your current routine and ask yourself three questions.
1. What's working?
What healthy habits have you already established that feel natural and manageable?
Keep doing those things!
2. What's making things harder than they need to be?
Are you trying to exercise at a time that doesn't work for you? Are your meal plans too complicated? Are you expecting yourself to do too much?
What could you simplify?
3. What's ONE small change that would make your life easier?
Not five changes. Not an entire lifestyle overhaul.
Just ONE.
Maybe it's preparing breakfast the night before.
Maybe it's having a backup exercise plan.
Maybe it's going to bed 20 minutes earlier.
Whatever it is, make it realistic enough that you can see yourself doing it on an ordinary Tuesday when life is busy.
Because THAT'S when your routine really matters.
Remember, Your Health Has to Fit Your Life!
After more than two decades of maintaining my own healthy lifestyle, I can tell you that my routines have changed MANY times.
Different seasons of life require different approaches.
And that's perfectly fine.
What hasn't changed is my commitment to taking care of myself.
I don't need every day to be perfect. I need habits I can return to, adjust when necessary, and continue building on.
And that's what I want for you, too.
Stop waiting for the perfect schedule.
Stop thinking you have to do everything.
And stop comparing your routine to someone else's.
Build a healthy lifestyle that works on your busiest days, your quiet days, and all those ordinary days in between.
Because healthy living isn't about creating a perfect life.
It's about taking care of yourself while you're busy LIVING it!
And remember...
There is no one right way to health. There's YOUR way. Let's find it! 💜💚
Ready to Make Your Health a Priority?
Healthy living doesn't have to be complicated, and you certainly don't have to figure it all out on your own!
Whether you're looking to simplify your routine, build healthier habits, find balance, or just need a little support and accountability, I'm here to help you find what works for YOU.
💜 Let's get started!
Looking for a little guidance you can work through at your own pace?
Explore my Power of 13 resources. A common-sense approach to building a healthier lifestyle, one choice at a time.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healthy living. The goal is to find YOUR easiest way to health.
I am Always On Your Side,
Coach Paris 💜💚
Empowering You to Live With Intention.
Comments