Inspira Connect: Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching For The Over 45s

07/14/2023

07/08/2023

For the People Who Struggle With Procrastination

A quick read with some good perspectives.

The idea that procrastination is a sign of laziness is widespread, but not accurate for everyone. Knowing the root cause is key to breaking the pattern.

07/03/2023

06/25/2023

The Right Ones Are The Ones Who Show Up

Went out to play football this morning, as ever full of optimism , started playing at a competitive level when I was 8 , still playing over 50 years later. It was a hot hot day and we got pumped.

Was it enjoyable? To be honest not really but we had a team and 4-5 subs today , despite the fact that we aren`t very good. We do our best ,we don`t really expect to win ,that is a bonus ,it occasionally happens.

Showing up is all that matters.

Doing your best is all that matters.

Taking action is all that matters.

It does not matter if action is imperfect.

Too many people don`t set out on a task for feel of failing ,or thinking that they are not good enough ,they feel they " should " run for 30 minutes or walk 10000 steps or go to the gym 5 x per week of some other arbitary and often semi nonsensical target.

So when I was having a chat with a client this week and listened to her telling me how she was now approaching her runs in the week it was great to hear that she had stopped putting rules about the run in front of actually doing it.

No longer did she have to run 5 k or for 30 minutes any run was good , instead of 3 x 30 mins a week she accepted that that target could be 2 x 40 mins or 2 x 30 mins,none of the distances or times were actually relevant .

Say hello to ( mental ) stress free exercise , no pressure infact very liberating.

Now we had discussed this sort of approach before BUT sometimes it takes the right et of circumstances and mindset to make that change , the client has to choose this and cant be guilted out by the coach for only going out for a 20 min once in the week.

The key is she is a) showing up and b) exercising stress free without pressuring herself to " achieve" ,c)has learnt to forgive herself if plans dont always work out perfectly.

So if you are thinking about doing something physically or emotionally beneficial dont think twice , just show up.

In health

06/22/2023

Weight Loss For Men Over 40

Following on from yesterdays post

Did you know that if you search for " what health improvements do men over 40 most want " that weight loss is the number 1 desire.

Its interesting how guys change , and I`m generalising now, from being say ultra sport and fit in their early 20s to somewhat out of shape in their 40s.

The creeping pounds for me started at aged 30 if anyone wants to know .

For many priorities change ,exercise decreases, lifestyle becomes sedentary, careers take off, family comes along, hormones change, stress increases,muscle mass decreases....and thats a complete combination to add on some pounds.

About this time in life , based on my experiences , women have a better idea of where they are at , guys don`t , its almost like " I will work on myself when I get more time ". Guess what it does not happen , the excuses pile up and so do those pounds.

But where do you start : Here are my 5 tips for you

1. Find out where you are at ? Keep a food log for a few days , keep maybe also a sleep and stress journal. Become aware.

2. Draw up a plan ...something thats easy to follow ( that means if you currently do not exercise planning to go the gym 5 days a week will be a fail ) ,it could involve exercise ,meal planning , developing skills around food etc Make anything you set out to do rewarding and sustainable

3 Set realistic goals ,be kind to yourself when things go sideways, gather data and learn what works and doesn`t work for you.

4. Involve family, friends ,co workers in your plans, ask for support and help.

5. Obtain some form of adherence , maybe a coach, maybe a buddy, maybe some software.

Its not a sprint , allow yourself time for things to work, and allow time for yourself.

Struggling ? Maybe I can help you.

Stay healthy.