When I first got into lifting, and started realizing many of things I’d have to start doing to be effective, I felt a bit isolated. Prioritizing protein, going to bed early, supplementing certain things, being super disciplined, I either felt like a weirdo or a superhero, and neither was very healthy!
So I began filling my social media newsfeeds with people with similar goals. One example is Stephanie Sanzo (@StephanieSanzo on Instagram) who lifted the way I wanted, built muscle the way I wanted, and watching her train and eat motivated me that the way I was doing things wasn’t special or weird. It was normal. At least for the people with my goals.
I get close to 9 hours of sleep a night. I fast for at least 12 hours a day. I keep my carbs down, my protein up. I drink tons of water, I supplement with minerals and electrolytes. I lift heavy and have a recovery routine. And it’s not weird. Maybe it is to some people, but to the people I surround myself with (including my husband!), this is all normal course of life.
When I got into holistic health, it was the same thing. Thankfully my sisters have been on this journey with me in varying degrees. We don’t do big pharma. We embrace natural wellness. I follow tons of natural health adopters, they have totally normalized my way of living.
I’ve changed my laundry soap and toothpaste and skincare to clean products. We don’t use excessive chemicals in my home. I’ve detoxed away from fabric softener and even deodorant (and discovered that after that I didn’t even need those things).
Another thing we do at my house: about an hour before bed we turn off the TV and read. Limit our blue light exposure and the noise. Definitely let’s you unwind and prepare yourself for sleep.
Weird out in the world? Maybe. But my sisters, my husband and the people I allow to influence me make it totally normal.
It’s important to surround yourself with influences that normalize the life you want to have, because otherwise you’ll be influenced away from it. Some people say to be cautious because you become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. The Bible says to not be unequally yoked. Maybe it’s cool to stand among a social gathering and be the fittest person there, but that is not helpful long term. Be around people who are better than you at being what you want to be. Let them rub off on you.
I see Stephanie Sanzo and I’m not anywhere close to there yet. But the small steps matter and feeling like my lifestyle is normal is a huge step in making sure I continue to take those little steps.
Anna Farley 