My role as a Crossfit & Nutrition coach affords me the privilege of hearing about my athletes’ highs, but often lows of their lives. The conversations I have had with my athletes can be heartbreaking as a coach to hear, especially when athletes are experiencing personal grief or hardship and then beat themselves up for not reaching fitness or nutrition goals.
Week to week I hear about clients experiencing unemployment, infertility, relationship strife/separation, fractured family relationships, depression/anxiety, illness/injury…etc…
So, you’re going through something tough…what can you do? What are you “supposed” to do?
- Don’t compare your experience to someone else’s. I often hear “well, at least it’s not as bad as what (insert name here) is going through.” While acknowledging that your situation isn’t as bad as someone else’s, honoring your own pain and grief is far more helpful than minimizing it.
- Recognize that grief and hardship are extremely stressful on our bodies. Our bodies can interpret this type of stress similar to illness. So, treat your body and soul with care at this time.
- Now is not the time to be hyper focused on perfect nutrition, your waistline, or PRs.
- Focus on getting enough sleep, for most adults, this is 7-8 hours at a minimum.
- Hydrate
- Focus on healthy addition not restriction
- Talk to someone or reach out to friend or family member
- Do something you enjoy! Take a bath. Go golfing. Do a puzzle. Binge watch a show. Cuddle your pet.
- Start small and layer positive habits. As you start to feel more like yourself, start to layer on more habits and work on adhering more to your goals.
If you have any questions about this or would like help reaching your personal fitness and nutrition goals, please reach out to Coach Erika at thepurposedathlete@gmail.com or schedule a complimentary CFD consultation here: www.calendly.com/thepurposedathlete
