I will be doing these challenges along with you. Recently, I’ve been in the best shape of my life—and the worst, recovering from long Covid along with many Americans. Sometimes food wasn't much more than chicken soup or salty snacks—or whatever felt edible or soothing. As a competitive bodybuilder, my fitness went from weightlifting at the gym to slow walks around the block in a Covid cloud. These days, I am building back and re-instilling good habits and reprioritizing myself. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done given the competing interests of work, family and relationships.
So let’s cut ourselves some slack and acknowledge that health, as with life, isn't a straight road, but one with plenty of bumps and turns. And most importantly, it is never too late to get back on track.
This is how the challenge works: Every week, we’ll take a wellness theme and go through a handful of steps aimed at building a healthier day. Week one starts with a look at mornings and exercise—specifically walking. Week two is about food, and taking some of the drama, guilt and complexity out of the perpetual question of what to eat. Week three is about sleep—and how crucial a well-rested body and mind are. Week four deals with creating a kinder, gentler approach to daily life, a practice that benefits others as well as ourselves.
Join me in building a better day, step by step.
—Anne Marie Chaker, reporter, WSJ personal health & wellness bureau
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