A note before we get to the quotes…. This blog was supposed to be published on the last Thursday of December 2021 as part of the team’s end of year “Favorites and Must Haves of 2021” blog series. Part of the delay for why it wasn’t posted was a power outage from 100+ mph winds that took me (Dina) off the grid for a few days… and no power = no WiFi/internet = no blog posting from me.
But what ensued later that morning in our neighboring communities of Louisville and Superior, Colorado, was tragic, horrific, and devastating. A “firestorm” like no other we have known.
Having personally been through the threat of losing our home in 2 nearby wildfire incidents and 1 history-making flood in the past 16 years, I am familiar with the fears around natural disasters. But never like what these communities endured in a whiplash of craziness.
I’m not great with verbalizing my thoughts and emotions in and around traumatic situations. Perhaps it’s me not trying hard enough or maybe it is simply “not knowing the right words”. Regardless, I will say that my heart goes out to all of the people who experienced loss and who were affected in any way, shape, or form from the fire. If you have any resources to assist the people in need, here is a list of options. Anything helps and I appreciate your consideration as it will be a long road to “build anew” in every sense of the word for our neighbors. ❤️
In our final segment of the year end recap of Favorites and Must Haves, we share quotes that resonate with us. You know the kind of quote that when you hear it, there is either a deep silence that follows as your brain goes “YESSSSSS… .That Is It !!!” or you shout out loud “HECK YESSSSSS…. THAT IS IT !!!”
Kristin’s Pick:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” — James Clear, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
I am fascinated by habits--the ones we have, the ones we keep, how we build them, and how they affect behavior change.
A lot of what we do as dietitians is related to a client’s habits, working to determine whether or not those behaviors help meet their goals, and providing strategies and different points of view that enable the adoption of new habits. This takes time and there is no one-size-fits-all approach that many so-called nutrition experts would have you believe.
This is also the time of year when every diet, supplement company, and weight loss program under the sun bombards us with false promises to help us lose weight, burn fat, and finally feel better. It’s crazy making! These companies push every insecurity and fear button we have.
The reality is that changing our food habits takes time. In fact, behavior change around food generally takes longer than other goals such as a new exercise routine or an earlier bedtime, and that’s because food is about so much more than just hunger. Other influences include:
Psychological factors such as stress, loneliness, and mood
Biological factors such as appetite, hunger, satiety, and taste
Economic factors such as income, proximity to a well-stocked grocery store, and cost
Social factors like cultural food norms, family food preferences, meal patterns, and peers
Physical factors like cooking skills, knowledge, time, and access to a kitchen
Attitudes and beliefs around food and cooking
Nothing we do as dietitians involves a magic wand or promises of quick fixes. As actual nutritional professionals, the Registered Dietitians at The Nutrition Mechanic have over 30 years of collective experience helping clients establish and build systems that promote lasting change.
Whether it’s a Kona slot at the Ironman World Championships or crossing the finish line at your first 10k, we’re here to help. What are your goals for 2022?
Maggie’s Pick:
"No one ever works out and regrets it. You never go out for a run, and then when you're finished wish you would have just stayed home. You never climb a mountain get to the top, and say 'I should have been content to stay where I was’”. —Author Unknown
In today’s world, sometimes getting out of bed can be a challenge. And rightfully so. We have faced a lot of hardship in the past year, some big and some small. However, one thing that I have found consistently easy and always rewarding is being out in nature. If you’re reading this, you likely know what I am talking about. I don’t need to list the research about how much nature gives back by just being pristine and beautiful. Nor do I have to convince you that a runner’s high exists or that waking up before the sunrise to reach the summit is worth it. Yet, sometimes, when that alarm goes off or that couch feels extra comfy, we need a push of motivation. And this quote does just that for me.
I actually discovered this quote about 15 years ago after I summited the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus. Just over 5,600 meters, Elbrus was my first big challenge. I almost didn’t make it, and with a raging headache, I was questioning my decision. And when I finally made it back down and back to the States, my mother asked me “after all that, was it worth it?”. And without hesitation I exalted with a big “YES!”. However, it got me thinking about how even a close call on a dangerous summit was worth it. I started reading articles by fellow mountaineers to justify my response and I found this quote, reassuring my attitude toward the challenge. And I realized I wasn’t alone. I think we all have it in us, we just need to experience the end goal. This quote truly is that, it is a reminder that putting in the work, whether for a 1 mile run or a 1 month trek, is always worth it.
I hope this inspires even just one of you to go out there, get a glimpse of Mother Nature, and be thankful for that priceless gift she gives every day.
Dina’s Pick:
“Like it or not, this moment is all we really have to work with.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn
Through all of our human suffering, Right Now is all we have. And while yes, we can learn from our pasts and yes, we can affect our future, this stuff only happens in this moment. Right now, here, and this.
We are all students of our own lives. Learning, goofing up, correcting, deciding, and breathing through it. We can easily get lost dwelling on and in our past. Wishing we had what was then or that we had chosen the other path. But whatever those things were, it is what brought us to where we are now. And however we process, integrate, or ignore that stuff, is where we go next.
Hugs to all and thanks for reading,
Kristin, Maggie, & Dina