I've spent a good part of the last year (meaning since winter 2015) committing to practices that make my body feel healthier. It took some trial and error— trying out everything from vegetarianism to TRX to a detox that ended with me eating half of a large pizza— but I have finally found a few things that make me feel my best (and the physical results aren't so bad either). Read on for my serenity boosting tips—
Running | Last year, I read Haruku Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and it instantly became one of my favorite books. For most of my life, I had an on and off relationship with long distance running, by which I mean I usually avoided it at all costs except for the few times I would go to the gym after a particularly long period of inactivity and then proceed to run myself into the ground/treadmill belt. It wasn't until I became more patient with running that I was able to run longer distances. A quote that will always follow me from this book is "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." Running may not always be the most comfortable experience— from blisters to shin splints to pulled calf muscles, there is a multitude of things that could go wrong any given time you lace up your sneakers— but the rhythm of pounding the pavement can also cause deep serenity.
Mantras | I feel completely cheesy writing this down, but I have become obsessed with finding little catchphrases to repeat to myself when I'm feeling down or need motivation. Some of my favorites include: "fortune favors the bold," "everything is a choice," and "you are what you do."
Vegetables | I started making a conscious effort to eat more vegetables about a year ago and it has made a huge difference in my health and my appearance. Trying to make a large number of my meals vegetarian has helped me get important vitamins and minerals that I definitely lacked beforehand (note to self: caesar salad is delicious but has no nutritional value).
Strength training | Another quote from Murakami that I love is, "Being active every day makes it easier to hear [your] inner voice." I've started doing some strength training, especially focusing on my arms and core that have completely changed my body and also my fitness abilities— specifically, a stronger core has enabled me to run longer and faster!
xoxo
Ashley
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