| |
This is the time of year when the thoughts of fresh vegetables cause many of us to plant a garden. I remember my Mom's garden when I was a child. I often recall being sent out to weed the garden or standing there watering it for what seemed hours. While I didn't like doing these gardening chores, I loved reaping the benefits of the garden. As a child, that was primarily the cherry tomatoes. They were planted specifically for us, and we could pick however many we wanted. What a treat that was!
In order to have a thriving garden, a lot of care must be put into it. First and foremost, you need to have a location to plant your garden. Depending on what you're choosing to grow, you'll have to select a spot that gets just the right amount of sunlight. The soil must be prepared so it's favorable to a healthy garden. You surely cannot plant a garden on a patch of grass or in a bed of clay. You will need to protect your garden from wildlife, or you will simply be planting vegetation for the animals that have access to your garden. The seeds are vitally important as well. Needless-to-say, you cannot plant cucumber seeds if you wish to grow green beans. As your garden grows, you will need to keep it hydrated, fertilized and free from weeds. Last but not least, you will need to know when it's time to harvest your crop. Harvesting too soon will result in your plants not being enjoyed at their peak. Taking too long to harvest may cause you to lose a whole crop.
Now that we've discussed our vegetable garden, how does your health and wellness garden grow? Have you put a lot of thought into the "site" - means of support - of your health and wellness garden? Hopefully you gave it a lot of thought and perhaps you even tried out a few means of support: friends, family, co-workers, weight loss support group, websites, etc. The selected "site" needs to have the same goals in mind for you that you have for yourself. Are they helping you head in the same direction? Do you get the support that you need? Do they share in your success as well as help you when you're struggling? Selecting your "site" - support - is as important as picking the site for your vegetable garden.
Have you prepared the "ground" for your health and wellness garden? Preparing the ground in this instance would be forgiving yourself for past mistakes. You cannot prepare for today if you're continually regretting what you did wrong yesterday, last week, last month or last year. Clear your "ground" of all things that are going to prevent your health and wellness garden of blossoming.
Are you getting enough sunshine? Just like the plants need sunshine to flourish, we do as well. It's important to surround yourself with the sunny disposition of people that enlighten your life. Yes, there will be cloudy days. Not everyone can be expected to be "sunny" every day. However, the cloudy days shouldn't outnumber the sunny ones. Remember, every - yes, every! - cloud has a silver lining. Sometimes the silver lining is evident. Other times we have to spend quite a while looking for it. And, on rare occasions, we didn't see the silver lining at all but realize it was there all along when the cloudy days pass.
Have you "weeded" your health and wellness garden of the items that are going to prevent it from thriving? That would be the weeding of your kitchen cupboards, desk drawer, refrigerator and pantry. You need to weed out the soda that you're drinking instead of water. The books, computer and TV need weeded out so your schedule has time for exercise. You need to weed out unhealthy snacks and replace them with fruits and vegetables. Unhealthy grains should be weeded out in favor of whole grains. If your favorite restaurant is a "weed" that's stopping you from reaching goal, replace it with a healthier choice. I'm not suggesting that we never have another cookie, piece of cake or potato chip. What I am suggesting is that healthier alternatives be available and make up the majority of your food plan.
Just as a fertilizer helps your vegetable garden grow, it's necessary to fertilize your health and wellness garden. I believe that the most important fertilizer is a positive attitude. You have to believe in yourself. Replace self-doubt with self-love and self-respect. Talk to yourself as you would a friend. If you wouldn't say it to a friend, you certainly shouldn't be saying it to yourself.
You also have to protect your health and wellness garden from wildlife. In this instance, that wildlife would be the things that are going to interfere with weight loss. That could be any number of things. Sometimes the "wildlife" that will attack your garden will be certain events or restaurants. While I sincerely love my sister and I know she loves me too, our time was generally spent eating and snacking. I knew in order for my garden to grow, I had to choose to spend less time with her. I did, and the relationship survived. Ask yourself what "wildlife" is keeping your from reaching your dreams and goals. Sometimes the hardest part of answering that question is acting on the answer.
You need the proper seeds in your garden. Those "seeds" will be the harvest that you reap. I would consider a journal, water and exercise the "seeds" that are most important in your health and wellenss garden. Without the necessary seeds, you will have nothing to harvest.
Once you get these basics down pat in your health and wellness garden, the "crop" - a healthier and happier life! - will be there for you to harvest.
So, how does your health and wellness garden grow?
|
