#25docc

So this is it. We’ve reached the end of this wonderful challenge and I want to begin by thanking @workoutinpink, @greenteaandahealthymind and @233-145 for creating this challenge in which all of the blogs within this healthy community could join in with.

It’s been so great to be able to write a little everyday about some of my thoughts and share a part of myself onto my blog. It’s also been lovely getting to know you guys taking part, and finding new blogs to follow and take inspiration from throughout this challenge!

As I’ve said previously, one of the main reasons behind my creating this blog was to share motivation with others and to also motivate myself when I most needed it. It’s a safe place for me, as a health/fitness lover, as a writer and as a human being, on my own journey of self growth, to come and to share what’s on my mind. 

Even though the challenge is over, I hope that we can maintain the conversation, and of course, the support. Let’s keep being vocal, let’s share, let’s be kind to ourselves and one another. Let’s learn, from a challenge such as this one, that it’s important to question, to learn and to continue to grow. The possibility of improving the world and creating positive change lies within our ability to speak up for the things that matter most to us.

I don’t think this season is a specific burden on my health, but I can understand why some people may feel that way. I think understanding that your health is always in your own hands, no matter the weather, season, country, will help you to stay motivated in which ever circumstance you are placed under. If I’m completely honest, I personally do struggle to stay completely true to my health regimes, but because of that, instead of fighting against what I want to eat or do at Christmas time, I allow myself to give in. It’s not giving up and it doesn’t mean that I’m letting go of myself. It means that for a few days during this season, I’m balancing my  and I’m allowing myself to indulge because it’s a celebratory time. On another side of the spectrum, allowing myself this time to relax during the season, actually makes sprinting back to a fully healthy lifestyle, after New Years, really easy. 

Christmas: Following on from yesterday’s post, my Christmas Eve and Christmas is always spent with family. For Christmas Eve my grandparents/extended family came over and we all had our Christmas Eve dinner, danced and sang christmas tunes and exchanged gifts, (Christmas Eve is the big day for us here in Sweden). For the 25th it’ll be just my parents and brothers and I, and usually it’s a fairly relaxing day - eating leftovers, going for a walk, watching christmas movies and so on. 

Holistic Health: How do you think this season helps or stops you when talking about your health? Is it a motivation or a burden? Share the good but also the bad!

It’s hard this time of year, people just give you food it’s ridiculous. This past week has been bad, I haven’t struggled to get in exercise other than poor time keeping and not being around my gear. Coming up to new year is certainly pretty motivating.

Christmas: What are your plans for christmas eve and christmas? Who are you spending it with this year?

Staying focused over the holidays can be extremely difficult because you’re surrounded by the good food and weather can make you tired and the christmas movies will keep you sat infront of the tv for hours. I used to think this was a bad thing and I made sure, year after year, that I never went to the extreme and slacked excessively. However, lately, I’ve realised that accepting some of the laziness that comes with Christmas is natural and also, makes me happy. In the last few days I’ve had a treat everyday. My healthy lifestyle typically follows treating myself roughly one day a week but I’ve had a sweet treat everyday. I’m not mad at myself, I don’t look at my body any differently and I’m not disappointed or feel that I’ve let myself down. I’ve given myself a break. I’m still living an active and healthy life, but I’m treating myself because it’s christmas and when’s it gonna be better time to loosen the reins a little, than this season?

In terms of my New Years Resolutions, I haven’t quite decided on them. Usually I’ll really have a think after Christmas and before New Years. Each New Year’s, I’ll write down all my favourite moments, that I remember, of the year. I love doing this because it allows me to reflect on the ups and downs and gives me clear direction as to what I want to keep achieving in the following year. So, I’ll get back to you with those resolutions. 

Christmas: I would post a photo of my Christmas Eve, but it hasn’t happened yet! Usually, we’ll bake some ‘pepparkakor’ and we’ll eat these with hot chocolates while watching christmas movies. In the afternoon we’ll go for a walk and when we get back we’ll open the presents left by Santa (we’re Swedish so he comes over on the 24th) At about 4/5pm, the rest of my family, grandparents and such, will arrive and we’ll begin preparing dinner. Christmas Eve dinner is my absolute favourite, as the whole family is together — the atmosphere is just priceless and irreplaceable. Towards the end of the evening, we’ll talk, drink and share any more gifts until the night comes. The only thing that could make Christmas Eve better would be if it didn’t go by so fast.