Sometimes when we are going through a difficult time, like a divorce, we don’t do a very good job of taking care of ourselves. And while we are going through a traumatic and stressful situation, I do believe in cutting yourself some slack in terms of diet and exercise. I know that during the darkest days of my divorce, I drank a lot of wine and I ate a lot of junk. It was a way for me to cope and to relax and honestly helped me process what had happened. I know that during that time period, working out and eating well were extremely low on my priority list. It was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other on many days.
Over time, I started walking. I started walking a lot. To work. From work. To the grocery store. When I was walking, I could think. And I could breathe. And with every step I took, I was able to let go more of the pain and embrace more of the freedom. I could start to see beyond the day or the week and into the future that was now mine to define. Sometimes I would listen to music when I was walking. Music would take me to another energy or mental space. Or I would listen to a podcast, like Death, Sex and Money and hear the stories of others who had been through extraordinary challenges in their lives, putting mine in perspective.
Now, 14 months after my divorce has been final, I am ready to take my self-care to the next level. The farmer’s market in my neighborhood opens next weekend. I plan to nourish myself with fresh fruits and vegetables of the season. Just last night, I was over at friends home for dinner and she fed me lovely asparagus and summer squash and tomatoes and salmon and a couple glasses of chardonnay and it was a lovely meal. It felt fantastic to put the nutrients into my body.
I continue to walk a lot,10,000 steps per day is always my goal, but I have been thinking about a good way to get a bit more fit. I have been thinking about adding in something to make sure my body stays healthy and well and strong. I saw on Facebook that a friend is doing the Beach Body program, and I took a look at that online. Seemed a little extreme and a little too much commitment for me now, but I do love the idea of something that is easy to do in my living room. And this morning I was reading my horoscope on refinery29.com and in my horoscope for this week was a 30-day morning workout challenge. It uses nothing else than your body weight and a mat. It starts slowly and works up to more over the course of the 30 days. I can do this and this is the right time for me to get stronger.
Remember to give yourself permission to do and feel whatever you want when you are going through divorce. Whatever gives you comfort or helps you get through is absolutely fine. And there will come a time when you want to take care of yourself again. That time will come, I promise.
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