5 Ways To Well with Maddy Diligent

Maddy, co-founder of Get Fit Guernsey and Communications Officer at The Health Improvement Commission, shares her 5 wellbeing essentials.

 

 

 

1.  Movement.

I have been taking group fitness classes for 15 years and I love it. As the joint founder of Get Fit Guernsey, I get as much out of the classes as those who come along. Many of my regulars have been with me for years, which I am super thankful for, but I also enjoy meeting new people and welcoming them to our GFG community. It's a fun, welcoming set up for everyone, including beginners.

 

2.  The 80/20 Rule.

Whether it be food, drink, exercising or even socialising, I truly believe in everything in moderation. Modern life is hectic and stressful at times and I have never believed in excesses or strict restrictions, so the 80/20 rule - focusing on healthy outcomes 80% of the time and allowing myself to relax the rules for the remaining 20% - works for me. Our bodies and minds crave to be in balance and as such I believe we need to try and balance all aspect of our lives where possible.

 

3.  Being More Selfish.

This might sound odd for a wellbeing essential, but I hear from so many people who come to my classes - or sometimes from those who don't come - that they feel guilty for taking time out for themselves. But I think you have to prioritise some time for you, especially if you are juggling family life. An hour out for myself, 2 or 3 times a week, is something I need. I use it to exercise, meet with friends or even just to rest. I believe that it also sets a good  example for those around me. So if you are in an office, leave at 5pm to make that gym class. If you are a parent or carer of small people, let them see you prioritising time for yourself. I try to do this, and I encourage friends and family to do the same.

 

4.  Mindful Eating.

When I say mindful eating, I mean this in its simplest form. It's about taking time to enjoy food and trying not to rush or be distracted while I'm eating. This is so much easier said than done - we're all guilty sometimes of eating in the car, eating at our desk or eating in front of the telly. It's hard not, to as our lives move so fast but whenever and whatever I am eating, I try to take time to sit and think about how delicious it tastes.

 

5.  Tracking My Cycle.

As I grow older, I realise the importance of tracking my cycle. I have also realised how little we know about our hormones and our cycle! Our mood, our appetite and our energy are all affected so much by our hormones, and they change throughout our lives. Knowing where I am in my cycle can give me an idea of why I am suddenly feeling frustrated or teary, or lacking in energy and reaching for snacks. Equally, I can harness my hormones for good, knowing which stage of my cycle is best to push hard with training, deadlines or social events - all of this can be planned in sync our wonderful bodies. Simply by having this knowledge, we can be little kinder to ourselves. Hormones control our whole bodies and I try to work with mine, not against my natural rhythm. A great app I use is Stardust, which gives me some great insights and humorous prompts as to how I may be feeling.