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Devoted

  Devoted - being wholly committed, showing strong enthusiasm, involving deep dedication to goals and placing deep emotional and energetic investment into those goals.  Each year, I choose one word that drives my focus on my actions for the year. This year, my word is DEVOTED. Being devoted to my wellness, my family and my school & studio communities is going to take commitment, discipline and focus. Each day's actions will be in alignment to my goals.  Wellness includes mind, body and spirt!!! Each weekend, I've been meal prepping my breakfast and lunch. This week I've added a sweet treat. When I don't have a plan for what I eat, I end up choosing unhealthy and high calorie items that detour my entire day. I was on track through the summer, but then the stress of school and chaotic schedules messed up my diligence to my nutrition. I was munching on the office candy box, nibbling on lounge treats and stopping too often at Starbucks for a venti hot caramel macchiat...
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Devoted

 


Devoted - being wholly committed, showing strong enthusiasm, involving deep dedication to goals and placing deep emotional and energetic investment into those goals. 

Each year, I choose one word that drives my focus on my actions for the year. This year, my word is DEVOTED. Being devoted to my wellness, my family and my school & studio communities is going to take commitment, discipline and focus. Each day's actions will be in alignment to my goals. 

Wellness includes mind, body and spirt!!!

Each weekend, I've been meal prepping my breakfast and lunch. This week I've added a sweet treat. When I don't have a plan for what I eat, I end up choosing unhealthy and high calorie items that detour my entire day. I was on track through the summer, but then the stress of school and chaotic schedules messed up my diligence to my nutrition. I was munching on the office candy box, nibbling on lounge treats and stopping too often at Starbucks for a venti hot caramel macchiato. This all had definitely contributed to my 13 pound weight gain these last four months. 

I'm returning to my devotion to nutrition by tracking my food. I've used several paper version, but I wasn't consistent and I didn't track the little nibbles because I didn't necessarily know what they equaled out to. I've started using Samsung Health. I was looking for a free app that could track my caloric intake, including carbs, fat & protein to determine my macros, as well as track my water ounces. Lo an behold, there was a free app right on my phone. I really like that I can scan in a barcode and everything I want just pops up. I can even save frequent meals, like my yogurt, berries & gluten free granola. 

This week, I'm focusing on increasing my protein since January starts the very busy season for my family with my son and husband's wrestling schedule. I have to pick up my son from school practice, dive him to club practice and be available to teach classes at Aris & Nurture as well as be present for my son's matches and tournaments during the week. Doing this while also trying to prioritize my own work outs. I've downloaded the We Rise, which has very accessible home and gym workouts that show the specific movements as well as focused muscle combinations and cardio bursts. There is even a Reset Challenge that I can do at home for only 30 minutes per day. 

Cottage Cheese Egg Bites - Nourished by Nic


Viral Carrot Salad - Low Carb Love
Sticky Chicken Meal Prep Bowls - Stephanie Kay

 
No Bake Date Oatmeal Almond Butter Bars - Adapted
Milton Gluten Free Crispy Sea Salt Crackers
The 5am Club - Robin Sharma

These food prep meals along with my workouts have been motivated by the lessons from the book The 5am Club by Robin Sharma. I audiobook read the book earlier in November, but I wanted to reread it and highlight some key points. There are so many amazing quotes that drive my devotion to wellness. The following are from the first few chapters. 

"Too many among us die at thirty and are buried at eighty."

"Ideas are worth nothing unless backed by application. The smallest of implementations is always work more than the grandest of intentions" 

"All change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end"

"Raise you commitment. Step up your standards." 


Kirtan Kriya - Brett Larkin Yoga
Peak Yoga & Wellness - Palatine

It is also super important for me to step out of my comfort zone, try new things, go to new places and continue to learn. Over winter break, along with our family gatherings, quiet moments at home and popping into work periodically, I was able to add to my yoga knowledge. I tried Kundalini Yoga, which includes guided breathwork and movements that activate and align your chakras by using mantras, kriyas, mudras and meditations. Specifically the Kirtan Kriya, which is known to increase brain function and decrease stress and depression, was extremely beneficial to me spiritually and something that I will incorporate into my personal practice frequently. 



I also taught 108 Sun Salutations on New Years Day. I loved being able to share with others this highly meditative and physically draining practice with others. We hydrated with cucumber lemon water, we energized with orange, cinnamon and clove essential oils and stayed focused with positive affirmations throughout the practice. I'm so very thankful to the Nurture Yoga & Wellness community of yogi's that joined me in that journey. 

Each week, I want to reflect on the devotion to my wellness, my family and my school & studio communities. This will help me review, improve and keep me accountable or at least you may find a resource or two that can be helpful in your own journey. 

  

1/3/2026                       Goal - April 3rd

            Weight - 161                Weight - 148             

Chest - 37in                  Chest - 36in

Waist - 33in                  Waist - 30in

Hips - 40in                    Hips - 37in

    Thighs - 24in                Thighs - 22in












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