If you are anything like me and this winter's endless snowstorms and frigid temps sent you straight into hibernation mode-i.e. longing to get back under the covers and craving comfort food, you may have put on a couple of unwelcome pounds. I did, and for the first time in my life, I am embracing it fully...before I let it go. After all, spring is knocking, although gently, and soon we will enter the season of rebirth and renewal. Time to break out of our cocoons and spread our glorious wings. But I will savor those days in which I allowed myself to listen to my body and be kind to it.
From November through March, my body told me to slow down, tone
down my workouts. I opted for a Vinyasa 2 class over an advanced hot power yoga
class on most days. And instead of my usual reservoir run, I often took brisk
walks through the park to get to my destination, a quaint little cafe where a
steaming hemp macchiato waited for me. I listened to my body and I was rewarded
with a pleasing feeling of well-being and serenity. Then my belly spoke to me. It told me to feed
it bananas cooked in a little ghee and sprinkled with cinnamon and cardamom -
an ayurvedic recipe to warm the body and soul. I ate more sweet potatoes, and
my favorite millet banana nut bread with mashed avocado spread all over it! I
allowed myself to indulge in heavier, satisfying foods. And it was good. I felt
happy. It lifted my spirits on dreary days when there was no reason to get
outdoors.
I let go of that need to be so rigid and disciplined. It was a
welcome change to just go with the flow. It felt natural and freeing to not try
to control my diet and exercise routine so fiercely. There was no guilt,
therefore it was all positive. And I am taking that positive attitude toward
diet and exercise into the next phase.
The sun is out, the earth is warm and life around us is in
full bloom. I'm listening to my body again and this time it's telling me to
ramp up the activity, and chill out with the ghee. It's berries and yogurt,
green juices and tea.
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