Using a Calendar for Better Health (S5 E2)

Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

Can a calendar help you improve your health? Can better nutrition and consistent exercise be easier if you use a calendar for accountability?

Yes, most definitely.

How to Use a Calendar to Improve Your Health

Yes, today we’re talking about how to use a simple ole calendar to help with your healthy goals.

In the past two episodes on the podcast I’ve been sharing tips for weight loss and take aways I learned about health and nutrition at two different stages of my life, as a busy mom to 4 young girls, and as a menopausal empty nester.

Go here to read or listen in to my 6 Tips for Weight Loss

And find our my 4 Take Aways After Loosing Weight in 2 different life stages.

But today I don’t have a list for you. Today I have the bottom line, #1 thing I did to improve my health. And it’s not what you expect.

Find this info on S5 E2 of the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast, on any popular podcast player. Click here to listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts.

Find links to other popular listening options here: the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast, with Michelle Visser

You can listen in here:

Or watch this episode here:

The Single Best Thing I did to Make Healthy Changes

Today, I’m sharing the single best tip I have for you if you want to be consistent and effective with your lifestyle changes that you know you need to make.

After loosing 20 pounds last summer, this winter was hard, as I figured it would be. I gained back some pounds. But I’m hoping next year will be the first one since moving here that i DON”T gain over winter.

To get back on track this winter, and to hold myself accountable to eat well and exercise daily, I used the calendar.

On a weekly 2-page spread, you can see at a quick glance what your progress looks like so far on any given week and you can daily check off when you meet each self-imposed goal.

I have a space on my planner that is supposed to be for meal planning, but I use the 3 sections (labeled for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to note 3 daily goals I try to accomplish. Some examples: Drinking 2-3L of water, Hiking with the dog, & Completing an exercise video. I like to note any details I think of by each category on any given day, and then this method serves two purposes: to motivate and to document progress.

Why Does it Matter?

How we spend our time is returned to us with boundless gifts as well. I know this first hand.

I homeschooled my 4 daughters for a total of 20 years. I remember thinking I was giving up everything when I walked away from my career to raise my children (not saying every woman should do this; but for me I knew I felt very called to do so), but nope, I was gaining a life spent with my daughters.

Then oh the bounty that has returned! I have 4 grown daughters who are using their time well and honoring God with their days. And right as my homeschool “career” of 2 decades was drawing to a close, Sweet Maple published, I started working at a very rewarding part time job here in my rural town, and I started representing some great clients, as a Marketing & Project Manager.

I now have more work than I can do, for 3 jobs I absolutely love. And I thought I was giving up everything. long ago.

What’s my point in sharing this? This does all relates to food. You see my relationship with food is the same. Once I started making wise choices and using my time well (so I could carve out time to prepare good food), oh my how wonderful the returns that I started to see.

Friend, you were gifted this time you have. You need to use it well so you can gift your family and yourself with your health.

Final Thoughts?

I’ve said it before, If I really want an unrushed, simpler life, I have to underwhelm my schedule so I have room—in my kitchen, in my family room, in my backyard garden— to overwhelm my life with the good stuff.

In the meantime, thanks for listening friends, on the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy Podcast. I’d love to hear about your favorite tips for ways you make sure you are making healthy choices. Shoot those over to me over on Instagram.

And please take a second to leave a 5-star review here. Every review makes a difference and helps me reach more folks with this little podcast.

Join me every Monday morning for the next episode of the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast.

And remember, It’s easy to forget how blessed we are to live this life. So enjoy the simple, everyday efforts. It’s not easy, but it’s a good life.

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