As any of you who have been following my recent blogs know, four weeks ago I embarked on a journey to a New Me. At the outset I decided that rather than turn my lifestyle on it’s head in one go I would add a healthy habit each week in a effort to reverse some poor health trends I had seen creeping in. Weight control has always been an issue for me but my cholesterol, blood pressure, sleep quality were starting to falter and before they became a chronic problem I decided to take action. My ultimate goal was to become a healthier, happier person full of energy eating a whole food plant based diet. Here’s how I have gotten on so far.

For the last 4 weeks I have been eating a vegan diet, predominately whole food, and each week I have added a healthy habit, I am now exercising anything from 30-90 minutes each day, drinking 2 litres of water and have cleaned up my technology usage and pre bedtime routines to improve my sleep quality. By setting small achievable goals I have been able to stick to my goals and more often than not surpass them. The cumulative effect on my health and wellbeing has been very positive. Without weighing, measuring or counting a calorie I have lost 15lbs (6.8kg), my blood pressure is in the normal range again and I am sleeping 7-8 hours nightly, largely uninterrupted. I have more energy, my mood is noticeably better and my concentration and focus has also improved. So all positive.

I’m not going to say it has all been easy, eating a healthy vegan diet requires planning and effort but it means I have a varied diet and I haven’t missed meat from my plate, but I believe the results so far speak for themselves and I hope to continue with the project. I may not continue to add new habits each week but I will set myself goals to refine some of the habits I have already adopted.

Week 5 will be a nod to my mental health. Each day I will meditate for 10 minutes. I’m hoping to try the Headspace app. to get me started. I have tried meditation on a number of occasions and though I see the benefits when I am doing it, my practice has never been easy and regularity has suffered as a consequence. So lets see how we get on this week.

If you have questions or are interested in any of the resources I have been using please contact me or leave a comment below.

Week 1: Eat fruit and/or vegetables at every meal or snack
Week 2: Exercise of 15 minutes per day
Week 3: Drink 2 litres of water per day and go easier on the voices in my head!
Week 4: Turn off technology at 9pm and start preparing for bed by 10pm, lights out by 11pm wherever possible.
Week 5: Meditate for 10 minutes each day