Get Fit and Recover with Me, Zahli

I’m super keen to get started on Recovery Lab Mornington’s 30 Day Reset, as I’m using it as an opportunity to really prioritise both my recovery and my training and healthy eating goals. I find self-discipline difficult, as well as keeping my motivation up. I always feel better after completing the activity, but getting myself to just start is really hard. I also struggle with emotional eating and allowing stress to stop me from doing what’s best for my physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why I think this challenge will give me the push I need to do what’s best for me.

The 30 Day Reset at Recovery Lab Mornington gives you the choice to either do four sessions per week, four days per week, or the full 30 days. My personal goal is to complete the full 30 days! I don’t really have an excuse not to — I work five days a week in the studio and just have to get up on my weekends to do my recovery. What I often forget is that it doesn’t have to take over an hour — I can just pop in and do 30 minutes in the boots or even just five minutes in the ice bath.

I also want to focus on getting fit. I’ve recently hit a slump in my fitness journey; however, I feel that I’m moving in the right direction. I’m really enjoying going to the gym at the moment and starting to build habits. I still have a long way to go, especially if I want to be fit enough to play footy next year. So, my plan is to aim for four strength sessions a week, two runs, and pre-season training each week. I’d also like to meal plan and prep weekly to help fuel my body for my sessions. I’m currently going to the gym about three times a week and try to go for a run on a good week.

As much as I believe in rest and listening to your body, I feel that sometimes I let my mind dictate what my body does. If I’m feeling stressed or anxious, I’ll skip the run I planned to do. What I’m actually doing is avoiding something that could be uncomfortable but is actually really worth it. Running and exercise are great tools to help relieve stress and anxiety by completing the fight-or-flight cycle. If I’m feeling sad, I’ll buy junk food or treats to “help”, but instead I’m just developing a toxic relationship with food. I’m not eating to fuel myself or enjoy good food, but to “make myself feel better”.

This challenge isn’t going to fix these issues or completely change my thinking — but it’s a small step toward taking the time to focus on making those changes. I deserve to enjoy my life and feel good doing it, so I need to start acting like I believe it. I want to stop self-sabotaging and just do it — even if it’s not perfect.

If you want to join me in my personal challenge as well as the 30 Day Reset, follow me on @withmezahli and @recoverylab.mornington.

See you in the studio,

Zahli