Charger Blogger Talks Routines and Showing up for Yourself

Hey everybody, and welcome back to the blog. We’re embracing new routines and productivity. It’s a dreary, rainy day today, and I am relishing the warm, cozy comfort of my dorm room. This morning, I went to the gym to do some morning Pilates and cardio before getting ready for the day.

Lately, the gym has been something I am trying to get back into. While I didn’t hate who I saw in the mirror, I knew that there was more that I could do to better nourish, strengthen, and support my body. As many of you may know, I’ve struggled a lot with my body image and have recovered from a particularly nasty eating disorder in the past. Following recovery, I’ve felt more at peace with my appearance, and I’ve accepted the fact that I cannot change my genetics.

But I can change my habits.

The first thing to go was take-out. Not only can it be pricey, but it can be filled with extra salts and oils that you don’t really need. Now, don’t get me wrong– I do love my fair share of palak paneer or some steamed dumplings, but doing that every week isn’t healthy for my body or my wallet. With this, I’ve been meal prepping a lot more. Right now, the current favorites have been:

• Baked sweet potato, ground turkey, broccoli – good fiber, lean protein, and a boost of calcium
• Yogurt bowls – probiotics, protein, and peanut butter
• Honey-garlic chicken, rice, and broccoli – can you guess what my favorite vegetable is?

I’ve also been into collagen peptides again. For those who don’t know, peptides are just chains of amino acids, which are the essential building blocks for protein in the body. In the case of collagen, this is a protein that is responsible for helping our joints, bones, and even blood vessels function. However, collagen can also improve skin elasticity, making it appear healthier. So, for someone who has struggled with (hormonal) acne, this supplement has helped my skin replenish itself as the years have gone by.

Collagen can also be found in bone broths, organ meats, and, weirdly, tomatoes. If you want more bang for your buck, erring towards animal-based sources for collagen is probably the better option.

Given all of this, I’ve somehow kept on track with eating cleaner (minus Halloween, duh) while maintaining my schedule. Granted, there have been moments of weakness, but it’s the consistency that matters.

And the same goes for the gym.

Making the promise that every Monday would be a new start only delayed me and, honestly, didn’t make me a better person. Showing up for yourself– whether it be at the gym, in your journal, or on your yoga mat –doesn’t always have to be extravagant. I don’t have a cute Pilates workout outfit or Gymshark apparel. I get my stuff from TJ Maxx and/or Amazon and call it a day. I feel like there is so much social media-based influence on the gym that it’s turned it from a place to better yourself to one where you must be the best looking or best performing. It’s never a competition.

With this, the gym has definitely become a place where I can zone out, sweat a ton, and just have a good workout. Every body is a gym body.

Aside from the gym, I’ve just been making sure to move around, get back into journaling, and – I don’t know – trying not to beat myself up 24/7. Even just buying myself a face mask to put on during a study session is a way that I take care of myself.

With this being said, I hope all of you feel maybe a teeny-weeny bit inspired to take care of yourself during the incoming Winter months.

With lots of love,
Bea :)