Identify your WHY -
it’s different for every-
body, write it down and
paste it on your mirror.
Sounds cliché, I know.
However, writing down
your WHY sends your
consciousness and ev-
ery single cell of your
body a signal that says…
“Hey I want this, and I
mean it!”
What will they make you feel? What will
they bring into your life? Maybe you were
diagnosed with high blood pressure, or
high cholesterol (common conditions
that we now see/think are normal; yet
they are not!) Reversing these conditions
can be your why; Or maybe you want to
feel good/look good/have that sustained
energy I keep referring to so often; this
could be your why.
Identify your why - it’s different for
everybody, write It down and paste it on
your mirror (I’m assuming you have a
mirror that you look at every day). Sounds
cliché, I know. However, writing down
your why sends your consciousness and
every single cell of your body a signal that
says… “Hey I want this, and I mean it!”
With your WHY sorted, Schedule your
activities. For instance, if you have pilates
or massage (I strongly believe we should
have massages twice a month as part of
our self-care) on a Wednesday, block your
calendar in advance. Remember if it’s
not scheduled, it won’t be done. Be very
selfish with your goals by not allowing
any competing interest or distractions.
Remember it’s only through consistency
that our activities become habits.
Learn How To Meal Plan.
Plan your success by planning your meals.
This is big for me. Imagine coming back
home after a stressful day at work. You are
so tired and hungry (terrible combination)
Where is your first stop? The kitchen. Yes..?
You open the fridge and there is nothing
you can eat right away. What’s your next
available/ convenient action...? Take away!
Ouch. It’s not only costly to your wallet, but
also to your health; especially if not made
from whole fresh ingredients.
When you learn and begin planning
your meals ahead of time, life becomes
an adventure. You shop with a list that is
consciously prepared with your health in
mind, you manage your time better and
experience low stress levels that often come
with not knowing what to eat for breakfast,
lunch, or dinner. My whole life shifted
when we as a family sat together and created
a menu based on foods we love. It feels so
amazing when you feed your family or
yourself (if you are cooking for one) fresh,
home-cooked whole foods that contribute
positively to their/your wellbeing.
Where do you start? Easy. Sit and list the
foods/ingredients that you love. Pair the
foods into groups (protein, starch, fats,
veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds). Pick foods
from each group and that’s a complete meal.
Remember to keep it simple.
Next step is to create a shopping list. Use
the meals plan as a guide. If you can make
your meals in batches the better. I do this
with Githeri (fresh maize and peas/beans).
I soak the grains overnight, boil in the
morning, store in containers and freeze.
When its Githeri day, it becomes easy
to prepare the veggies (cabbage, carrots,
courgettes, herbs and add the de-frosted
githeri. Voila! Cooking double batches is
a time-saver - You can do these with
sauces, soups and stews.
Lastly, savor the meals. Take time to give
thanks, chew your food and experience
the flavors on your plate. Be mindful. It’s
a great habit for good digestion.
These are my top three tips that have
worked for myself and the many patients
I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Please remember it’s a journey, and just
like life, you don’t walk this wellness
journey alone. So here is a bonus tip;
Find friends/accountability partners
who will consistently remind you that
it’s not about perfection but progress.
Bring the joy by encouraging each other.
Are you surprised at how simple the tips
are? Well, I warned you they were going
to be simple. But again, shouldn’t it be
simple? I hope you are inspired to make
your health habits stick!
To your well-being!
Jennifer Mwangangi-Ayoti is a Chartered
Marketer (UK), and a seasoned Wellness
Coach at Licial Wellness. You can
commune with her on this or related issues
via mail at: [email protected].
You can also visit the website at: www.
licialwellness.com.