January has been nuts, I can’t remember a busier or better January for a long time. Although I have been busy it’s been a great month and the January blues I usually get haven’t showed up, probably because I haven’t had the time to dwell on anything like that!
I’ve actually surprised and impressed myself as I’ve started meditating, firstly using the Headspace app, but then I’ve managed to continue doing some on my own. Not every day, but most days I meditate for 10 minutes, it really has done wonders for my stress levels! As I’ve blogged about, I’ve found an excellent groove with eating and exercise which has lasted through the whole month. I’m a few lbs down from the start of the year, and more importantly, I’m feeling better in my own skin.
I’ve definitely kept to my January pledge of Dialling it Up instead of dieting. Best of all, my blood tests showing that I’ve ovulated have really given me confidence that I’ve been doing right by my body and that I’m reaching a really healthy place for me.
I’ve been on such a green smoothie kick!
I’ve started a big project working with girls in a couple of schools that is going really well and the news that the Feel Good Factory were awarded funding for one of our projects was another huge boost. I’ve also been loving the response from the girls doing the 12 weeks to Feeling Fabulous course! I’m planning on setting off another group again in March so if you are interested watch this space.
Blog wise it’s been amazing to see KHGS featured on Grazia Daily, being chosen as one of the Top 10 Health Blogs in the UK and being featured on The Good Web Guide. I’ve also been so chuffed at the number of entries to the giveaways I’ve been running, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them!
Overall it’s been an amazing month but I have had some very stressful moments where I’ve felt incredibly overwhelmed, last week it was like all the bad stuff was being thrown at me at once and I had a few days of feeling crap, also compounded by hormones I think. The Universe was definitely testing me! However, I allow myself to feel crap for so long then I give myself a good kick up the arse and remind myself that I am in charge of how I allow situations, workloads or other people’s opinions, comments or actions effect me. I felt much better after that ;-)
I’ve posted some lovely recipes this month including:
- Thai Green Chickpea, Squash and Roasted Cauliflower Curry
- Anti Inflammatory Lentil Soup
- Green Tea infused Polenta with Greek Yoghurt, Honey and Almonds
- Seven delicious healthy smoothie recipes using Alpro Unsweetened Almond Milk
My favourite posts this month include:
- 10 ways to be healthier and happier in 2014
- My top 10 nourishing foods
- My top free healthy living resources around the web
- Happy 4th Birthday KHGS!
- Weight loss, not hating my body and a fresh start with food
February
I had to have a really good think about what my February pledge to myself would be. Thinking about the month ahead I know it’s going to be a busy one, but I also have most of a week off as we celebrate James birthday. I thought that self care was a good one for me for February as when things get busy I can forget to do the things that really impact on how I feel, both physically and how I feel about myself in a wider sense.
I want to keep up the good work I’ve done with regular meditation, and the fabulous groove I’m currently in with eating and exercise but I’d also like to make more of an effort on how I take care of myself, just little things like painting my nails, giving myself a facial, moisturising my body and dry skin brushing can make a big difference.
In January I started noticing that I wasn’t even bothering with my usual red lipstick, horror of horrors! Another part of self care for me is alone time. I need to have some time to myself to recharge my batteries I just need to find the right balance between time to myself, work, spending quality time with James, my family and friends!
How was the first month of 2014 for you? Do you have any plans or pledges for February? How important is self care to you?
Your pledge for February sounds like a good one :) Good luck!
I am glad you have had a successful Januaray. I am allowing myself to be a little smug as I think I’ve done pretty well this month too :). I think I will join you on your February pledge. I used to have pristine nails, with them a different colour almost every day, but at the moment they are awful!
Good for you, glad you’ve had such a good month as well! Lovely to have you on the pledge with me :-)
It sounds like a fantastic January! Well done, you’ve definitely earned it! Self-care is the perfect goal for February, I think I might join you on that! It’s so easy to put myself last, but it has such an effect on me, and all the people who have to deal with me!
Thanks Sarah :-) It seems like self care is a useful thing to focus on for a few of us!
What an awesome January, lovely! Congrats on all of the achievements. I really like your February Self Care Pledge, we forgot how good the small things can make us feel. My plans for February are to finally finish my thesis and start applying for jobs plus blog wise, I just launched my new little healthy living in a nutshell project as you now, and am super exited to have a new entry every week!
Thanks Ksenija! Hope you have a brilliant Feb and you get your thesis all done, looking forward to being part of your blog series!
So pleased January was a good month for you – fingers crossed for the rest of the year! You definitely sound very busy but also very productive.
I am feeling like February is going to be a great month for me. I feel like I’m back to normal with running, I have a race (Brighton half) that I’m going to enjoy rather than ‘race’, a little running-related weekend break very soon and Valentine’s Day is always lovely :)
Thanks Anna :-) So glad that running is going well for you, sounds like you’ll be having an awesome Feb!
Thats a lovely self care pledge, I mean moisturising the body … might be simple but I know from personal experience I do not do enough of it either.
Have a fab month xx
What a lovely pledge. I’ve been letting things like that slide too. I cannot wait to get into the hairdressers tomorrow – it’s been over a year since my last trip!
Ooh enjoy getting your hair done!
I love this post. You’ve just inspired me to write (and stick to) my own goal this month.
Thanks Rach, have a great February!
So pleased the year’s gotten off to a good start for you Laura- may it continue that way!
I love your self-care pledge and should take on the same thing myself. Beyond basic hygiene of course I’m terrible at looking after myself. Simple things like keeping my nails nice, eyebrows neat and legs hair-free make me feel so much better!
Thanks Emma! I know just some simple little things can have such an impact on how you feel can’t it :-)
Great pledge for Feb! Jan has been up and down for me, but I’m feeling back in a good groove and ready to rock Feb!
Sounds like you’ve had a fulfilling and successful January Laura! Great challenge for Feb too – it’s so easy to forget little things that matter (for me it’s painting my toenails) when you’re rushing around!
What a fab self care pledge.
I have just realised that I have not painted my nails since the start of Jan- need to change that!
Love your post – very inspiring! Great pledge for February. My January too was extremely busy but I managed to avoid stress by choosing my new (and easy) self-case daily routine and eliminating certain foods to help my body get rid of toxins. I recently wrote about it on http://loveyourstyle.net/2014/01/24/how-to-avoid-post-holiday-blues/.
In February the focus is scheduling more personal time and treating myself frequently.