I’ve been MIA from talking about my 21 Days: Reduce, Relax, Rejuvenate. It’s only because I’ve been busy practicing vs. chatting about it. Today I am on Day 15, and I am happy to report that these past 2 weeks have been phenomenal!
Taking out added sugars (and other “junk”), coffee and alcohol, while it may seem impossible,is totally worth it. Only the beginning days are challenging. Once that bump is crossed over, you wonder why you had not tried crossing it earlier. I feel a sense of freedom when they are eliminated. I can’t fully understand why. Perhaps it’s because my body doesn’t depend on them in any capacity, therefore leaving me with more time, energy and overall freedom to participate and indulge in other things. And by indulge, of course I mean in a ton of new gluten-free recipes I’ve created like this one and this one and this one. And many more, which have just not yet hit my blog!
And then there’s yoga.
The Zen Outside
Ah….the zen that comes over me just writing that one, beautiful word! My practice has grown these past few weeks (as part of the reduce and relaxation) and so has my adoration for it. In the beginning I did not understand how it is that people can actually do as the teacher says and, “let go of any thoughts and stress may be lingering in your mind for the next hour.” If you know me, you know my mind runs rampant nearly 24/7. This is a blessing and a curse. But as I’ve stayed consistent and persistent in my weekly yoga routines, I’ve come to understand and embrace that very thought. Did you know that,
Study after study, carried out with the most careful scientific protocols, produced incontrovertible evidence that the mind can indeed influence – and heal – the body?
(That is taken from Herbert Benson from Relaxation Revolution and the awesome article to accompany it in this months Experience Life Magazine.)
I cannot express how much these past 15 days have been needed. But at the same time, I won’t lie – the REJUVENATE part of this whole thing has been mostly non existent. And while I believe I have reaped many benefits from REDUCE and RELAX, it’s the sum of the parts that would provide the greatest benefits for my life.
I’m forever working on it. (It will not be figured out by Sunday, which is Day 21.)
Did any of you take the 21 day plunge with me? If so, how’s it going? If not, which of the three (Rejuvenate, Reduce or Relax) do you think you’d struggle most with?
