Almost a year ago I shared a blog post titled, “Start Now, Improve Later.” This is a phrase I heard a few years ago from one of my mentors and she continues to repeat this to her clients and mentees. Sometimes I get a little discouraged when something I’m trying to do takes longer than I think it should (or longer than I want it to take). And then there are the times when I’m trying to do something new or a little out of my comfort zone and I’m not quite satisfied with the results (probably because I’m comparing my results to someone else’s). It is during those times I can hear that phrase in my head: “Start now, Improve later.”

The blog post I wrote with that title shared my dislike for cooking but my desire to eat food that tastes good and is also healthful. (My food journey has been one of gradual change over the past twenty years or so of transitioning to eating less meat, then no red meat, later eliminating chicken, and about seven years ago I decided to eliminate fish and then dairy (for the most part). As much as I didn’t really want to cook, almost a year ago I decided to enroll in an online cooking course taught by another mentor and friend of mine. While my food didn’t look as “pretty” as my instructor’s, I still felt quite proud of myself for just stepping up and completing the class. Now, I didn’t become a gourmet cook or anything like that BUT…I became a little more comfortable with at least trying. One of my goals is to eat food that can be simply prepared but also tastes good and is nutritious. I’m trying to take care of this temple y’all!

So, fast forward almost a year later and a member in one of the Facebook groups I’m in issued “31 day, no processed foods” challenge. “Ooooh”, I thought, “Here’s my chance to work on another one of my goals” (of eating less commercially processed foods and more whole, plant-based fresh foods). I said YES to the challenge maybe a week or two before we were to start. During the time before we were to start, I had planned to do some meal planning and grocery shopping so I would be READY! Well, life just kept happening and it did not slow down enough for me to prepare like I wanted. (Or maybe I just kept procrastinating because I hate grocery shopping too and I didn’t feel like taking the time to plan the menus). Anyway, August 1st comes (start date) and I didn’t want to back out or put off doing the challenge so I had to just jump right in there…! Let me tell you, it has been an interesting experience so far and I’m actually enjoying it. My menus and recipes have been pretty basic and simple but I think my food tastes pretty good. (Well, there was that one time I tried to do something different with my sweet potatoes and I had to throw that mess away ’cause it was NASTY! and I didn’t even THINK of posting a picture- LOL!). I announced on Facebook that I was doing this challenge and started posting pictures of my meals. I had no idea how much just doing that would help keep me accountable because people actually started looking at what I was eating and even started asking me what I would be eating. So, now I’m thinking…”I can’t mess up….I’m in this thing now”. I’m a little over halfway finished with the challenge (I’m on day 20) but I plan to continue with some of the good habits I hope I’m forming. The feedback I have received from others is mostly encouraging. Hopefully,as a result of having done this challenge, it will help me to be even better equipped to serve others and give me even more resources to share with those who are on the journey to achieving “CROWN TO SOLE Wellness”. (I’ll give you a follow up report when the challenge is completed.)

Wherever you are in your journey toward being healthier (wanting to lose weight, getting more physically active, eating better) stay encouraged and don’t quit! “Start Now, Improve Later” and just keep moving forward. Don’t be afraid to get help. Get someone to help keep you accountable! You can do it! Love yourself and take care of that “Temple”!

As always, my mission is to encourage, empower, and equip individuals to take control of their health and create lives of joy, abundance and holistic wellness from the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the foot (that includes mind, body and spirit). Please leave me a comment and let me know what goals you are working on (and feel free to give me some good plant-based simple recipes that I can try).

P.S. I have opened up space in my calendar for a few more clients who are ready to take control of their health and invest in themselves by enrolling in my “Take Control of Your Health in 12 Weeks” private coaching experience. Make your appointment today for a free 30 minute Discovery Call with me so that we can determine if and how I can best help you!. I’m looking forward to hearing from you! CLICK HERE NOW TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT!

P.P.S. If you have not already received a copy of my FREE CROWN TO SOLE Wellness Action Guide, please complete the form below so I can send it to you and stay in touch with you!