The results of the 21 day challenge

Time is passing so fast and I didn't even realized that I finished my 21 day challenge! Although I finished it and let's see how I completed it:

1. To wake up at the same time every day, to eat at the same time. - This point I feel I need a bit more time to complete it fully, because I am having my holidays now so I find it no sense to wake up every day at the same time:)

 
2. Start the day with lemon water and eat fruits till 12:00, after 18:00 time of the last meal of the day after just detox or herbal tea - the first part I still keep as an order and it really feels I am more energetic and my belly is started to get better as well. From the previous fact is directly coming that sometimes I was having my dinner around 9 or 10 in the night...oh well

3. Avoid consumption of sugar, flour, milk and alcohol - I successfully kept away myself from all this things. Instead of sugar I use agave syrup, instead of flour I use spelled flour, instead of milk I drink almond milk. Alcohol I don't drink at all!!! (during the 21 day it happened once)

4. Drink at least 2 l of water per day, no drinking 20 minutes before and after eating - I keep to not mix eating and drinking. The most challenging is to drink 2l of water a day.

5. Running at least 3-4 times per a week, I left myself to choose on which days - I already implemented this part to my life years ago, so moving, running, biking, working out is still a part of my every day life.

6. Morning Yoga - I preferred to do it in the afternoons, evenings combine with bodyart
Sundays dynamic meditation - I find it very challenging and not necessary to do it every week so I do it in every 2 weeks.

7. In addition I successfully eliminated coffee and cigarettes from my daily life! I cannot say that from time to time, occasionally I am not consuming them, but the most important for me now that I am not doing them every day!

I want to complete the list with some other things which made it easier for me: 

• I eat more slowly without music, tv, computer and I am focusing completely on the food, as a result it feels more filling.
• I started to eat more fruits and raw vegetables.
• I made one exception per a week when I make a cake so that means I eat some kinds of sweet:) (thanks to Marie for the idea)
• I bought at least 5 type of detox tea to not get bored of it:)
• I was avoiding the company of people who smoke, drink or party a lot!
• I sleep 8-9 hours per a day and I tried to go to bed before 12.
• If I was not able to keep "the rules" I didn't give up and I didn't feel guilty the next day I was keep on doing it

All and all this 21 day was a good frame for experimenting what feels good to do and to shape it according to my personal needs. During the whole time I was observing myself and it was very interesting to watch which are my weakest moments and how am I reacting to get over it. In a meantime I gained more self awareness. So now the time is coming to act upon them, on the little devil.

As a result I definitely feel better, more than ever! I am filled with energy, I have better digestion, I have clearer skin and mind, I have a stronger core :) And the most important is that I got really inspired by the change what I feel so I want to extend the process for 3 months and let's see what will happen!

And don't forget that good things come slow!

Connect with the energy flow, do BodyART!

The last weeks I was running a lot and my body is not so grateful for it. Now I feel everywhere muscle and bone ache. I can say it is not the most pleasant one, but I feel I am alive and the pain always reminds me to do something different, something more smooth. The weather is also not really nice today, windy and rainy with a bit of sunshine, very crazy I say so... Since I am friend with the weather here it can not stop me anyhow:) So I decided to do something more light for my body, mind and soul and create my own sunshine between the four walls:) So this is the perfect time for BodyART!

BodyART was created by a Swiss gymnast and dancer Robert Steinbacher in collaboration with Alexa Lee. The method is based on principles of yin and yang and combines elements of yoga, pilates, dance and tai chi. The top priority in BodyART is to treat a human being as a single unit.It helps to strengthen and stabilize all aspects of human movements. It perfectly combines functional training and classical breathing techniques to create a synergy of physical training with mental relaxation.

I warmly recommend you to do it at home for yourself if you are tired of heavy exercises. This practice is a great help for the body and for you to connect with your energy flow! Go for it!

Click here and you can start 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVe9jqx0dqk&list=PLGHWERY0UxwBk_41U37Aqdqzwerd-Ic-u

Run Baby run!!!

After a whole day of thinking, hesitating and waiting I really felt the need to go out and run. I made my body so heavy with a lot of confusing thoughts. My mother gave me an assignment for this week which seem easy but I still not completed it. The assignment is that I have to visit at least 10 places in my neighbourhood which I like and I have to present myself in Dutch and ask for some voluntary work to do. The goal is to speak in Dutch rather than get a job. I prepared and learnt my introduction but I am still hesitating and waiting a lot to go. I am keep on asking myself why is it so difficult??? Why I am not able just to do it??? There is fear behind? But I have nothing to fear and nothing to loose! So I don't really understand what is happening...Why I am not able to just jump into it ? Am I taking this so serious instead of taking it playful? I did this many times so what is stopping me??? These thoughts made me run and run and run till I clear my mind completely. I put all this questions to resolve during the whole run and every time I felt I am getting tired I gathered my focus and I was keep on running and running. I just realized that the essence of running for me is focus and if there is focus here comes the empty space of the mind where is completely nothing just my body, my breath and the road to run. After 56 minutes of running I felt I let it out what had to go. The run was very liberating and I prepared myself for tomorrow to be able to put my thoughts aside and just go and play around with my introduction as in a theatre play:) Come my fears I will embrace you all!
Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

One day depression and the 21 day challenge

Yesterday I was depressed. Yes, sometimes it is happening to me as well and I call it the one-day depression because it is lasting really for one day. What I am doing in this state of mind oh well, usually I am lying in my bed watching series and eating mostly sweets. Yesterday I did the same but without feeling guilty about it! My energy level was down and most of the times I feel guilty of doing nothing, but at this time I experienced something completely different. I allowed myself to feel my depression and let it be where it is. I didn't want to ran away from it and I didn't want to change it and I didn't comment or blame what was happening. I was a silent observer. I wanted to experience the dark cloud which came inside me.

The day passed with this mood and around 23:30 I started to awaken. I was wondering maybe because I left my companions (coffee and cigarettes) I arrived to this state of mind. I didn't feel the need for smoking and drinking coffee but the thing is that I was doing it during a long time and my body just reacted like this. I also realized that what my companions left behind it is an empty space where I can create new things and it depends only on my choices with what will I put it in!!!

I got so excited and I decided to take a 21 days challenge for myself because my body needs support now more than ever. The plan is the following:

1. To wake up at the same time every day, to eat at the same time. 
2. Start the day with lemon water and eat fruits till 12:00, after 18:00 time of the last meal of the day after just detox or herbal tea
3. Avoid consumption of sugar, flour, milk and alcohol
4. Drink at least 2 l of water per day, no drinking 20 minutes before and after eating
5. Running at least 3-4 times per a week, I left myself to choose on which days
6. Morning Yoga
7. Sundays dynamic meditation

I am going to follow this plan during 21 days. The wise says if you do something new what you want to create for 21 days it will become a habit and you can make it easier to  be a part of your life and your daily routine.

I am more than ready for the change! Are you?

Tips, compliments, experiences, good advices, best practices are always welcomed!

Time to say goodbye...

Dear Coffee and Cigarettes,

The time has come to say goodbye to both of you. You were such a great companions during a long time. I loved and enjoyed you sooo much! From now on I want to continue my life without you, because I want to breathe deeply and run faster, I want to smell more, taste more, I want to enjoy more the food what I am making, I want to have a brighter skin and a fresher breath. I want to get rid of my cellulite and my puffy belly. I want to be fresh in the mornings and enjoy my being fully.

I embrace you with love and let go with ease and joy and I wish you a great time!

With Love
Suzy

Start your day differently!

The best start of the day to feel more energetic is to drink lemon water! Yes! 
Why is it the best? Because......

• warm water and lemon is a natural energizer. It hydrates and oxygenates the body, leaving it feeling refreshed and revitalized for quite some time. As opposed to coffee, whose effects are short lived. 
• immune system booster (a middle-sized lemon contains around 40-50 mg of Vitamin C) 
• it has an alkalizing and detoxing effect on the body - Intrestingly, while lemon juice itself is acidic, it's actually one of the most alkaline foods available. 
• rich in potassium, folate, Vitamin B6 and thiamin, lemons also contain bankable amounts of magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A and E. 
• aids in weight loss - helps to fight hunger cravings:) 
• cleansing the liver and the kidneys 
• purges toxins from your blood 
• clear the skin - as other antioxidants it helps to reduce wrinkles and blemishes, vital for healthy glowing skin 
• hydrates your lymp system 
• freshens the breath - in order to protect your theeth always rinse your mouth ith water after a glass of lemon water,because it is acidic 
• energizes you and enhances your mood - it can also help to reduce stress and anxiety

How to do it? 

Take half of the lemon and squeeze it into a lukewarm (not scalding hot) water and just simply drink it for one shot as fast as possible. 

Don't forget to rinse your mouth with pure water afterwards to protect your teeth!!!

Have a wonderful and energetic day!

Cheers! 

1