Time flies

Zita Alves health & wellbeing coach

It seems my last blog was on my 50th birthday, last January, so it’s well overdue to write another, and as we end 2021 it’s the perfect time to reflect and review the last year.

Rather than going headlong into goals for next year it’s useful first to reflect back and celebrate the wins, look at what we have learnt and decide what we want to change for the next 12 months (if anything).

So before I share some of what my highlights of 2021 have been here are some questions you can ask yourself in an end of year review and I suggest you write them down as that makes it far more powerful.

  • What was the best thing about 2021

  • What did I learn

  • What am I grateful for

  • What do I want to do differently in 2022

And then close your eyes and imagine it’s Dec 2022 …

What 3 things will you love to have achieved by this time next year?

They could be health related, work related, relationship related - anything as they are YOUR desires and if you want different results by this time next year, you will need to think about the different actions you can take.

Apart from the global challenges we have all faced over the last few years, 2021 brought serious family health challenges for 2 people that none of us expected, and as they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and also reminds you of what matters most.

Moving on, here are some of my wins in no particular order

  • I upgraded my juicer after many years, and absolutely love it!

  • New website finished thanks to Blanco digital studio - yes this is it, and although I’m not officially launching it until January it’s where the blog post is so here you are!

  • Professional photoshoot which was a LONG day but great fun and I’m delighted with the results - thanks Jenny Stewart

  • New branding design and logo created by Blu Mango Creative who created the colourful, fresh look that I wanted, which of course had to include pink!

  • I needed help to express what my brand is and this is where Branded & Unstoppable helped me bring it to life

  • I also gained my Flexibility coach certificate to help me teach the focused deep stretching & relaxation that has proved really popular and I created a free download that helps women over 40 to feel less stiff and more calm

  • Our Zest Bootcamp classes returned outdoors to Bath in March (and continue online in the evenings) and we have welcomed some wonderful new members during the year. We had some lovely social gatherings, meals out as well as several weekend country walks - the community at Zest is very special.

  • After lockdown I decided to stop going to the nail salon for “false” nails - it helped me to stop biting them but I struggled knowing they were full of toxic chemicals (which is the opposite of what I’m about)

  • Bought a better water filter system (that looks like a giant tea urn) and love it!

  • Completed a 30 day meditation programme and have kept the habit consistent since March (think it’s been this that has helped me the most with the personal stresses that have occurred this year)

  • Started running online stretch classes that include meditation and noticed how much my own flexibility has improved (even though I was quite flexible anyway)

  • Was guest on several live Facebook & Instagram interviews - something that takes me out my comfort zone but it’s good to do things that push you in order to grow.

  • Supported local charities with fundraising workouts including an online one a few days ago

  • Said no to some work things because needed to protect my mental wellbeing

Underlying this is my gratitude for all the people I have around me so thank you to everyone who has been part of my life in 2021 and I’m excited to be able to help more women over 40 over the next 12 months in a variety of ways including my free 5 day challenge that is coming in January.

The 12 week online coaching programme will also be back to help any women who need a kickstart and focused support into regaining their energy, Zest for Life, health & happiness and later in the year my Revive & Recharge retreat will be back at a UK venue so lots of exciting things to come.

And I also have free ways to help you including my Zest For Life community on Facebook where I share inspiration and education in all aspects of health & wellbeing. Plus there is the free stretching and breathing routine you can download to guide you through 10 minutes of relaxation and focused stretches that leaves you feeling more calm and flexible.

So if there’s one thing to remember about this post it’s this…

NOTHING IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN YOUR HEALTH SO BE SURE TO GIVE IT THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES

I had to write it in capitals because I am so passionate about making more people realise this. If you haven’t read my story please click here as you’ll realise I wasn't always the way I am now.

No matter what goes on in the world, WE have control over what we eat, how we move, what we drink, our sleep, what we watch on TV, who we hang around with and so many other lifestyle habits that can affect our health - mentally and physically.

Have a wonderful end to the year and let’s make 2022 a good one!

Zita x

ps If you are on Instagram here is my page

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