I find it interesting to fight my own human nature when it tells me to settle in to habits and routines that work for me and just ‘stick with it’. It feels very comfortable to know what I will eat for breakfast and when, to run or walk the same paths each day and to focus on the fitness work that I like most.

What could be wrong with that? I’m eating well, I’m active and I am working out! But I’m missing one of the key points of true wellness which is that change is constant in our bodies and our lives and authentic wellness has to include adapting to those changes. I saw this quote recently--“Wellness is a stance towards life in which one is engaged with his or her highest priorities in a process of constant adaptation to changing circumstances.” Sounds daunting… even to me.

It’s worth thinking about this, though, in relationship to your wellness work. I think many of us understand, instinctively, that we need to eat healthily but also make sure we have a variety of foods. We know that eating exactly the same foods cannot be as nutritional as ‘mixing it up’—salad, vegetables, light proteins—and that we also need to offer ourselves some small indulgences at times. I, myself, have a regular craving for dark chocolate and allow myself some frequently, but not in huge quantities.

How does this same principle apply to our fitness routine? And our active lifestyles? And our mindfulness? This is something I’ve been considering. I already apply the concept of adapting and evolving as I work with clients to help them improve their fitness, of course. And I definitely design workouts varied enough to hold their interest. I’ll be exploring how you might incorporate this more proactive approach into your wellness lifestyle in my next blog. Watch for it!