What’s your biggest challenge when creating or revisiting a health habit?

May I confess something?  When it’s time for me to refocus on my nutrition, saying goodbye to wine is like standing on my porch, waving to my dear friend whom I won’t see for three months.  

Does this sound like I have a problem?  I hope not.  It’s not that I’m popping open a bottle at 5pm and partaking until bedtime, but my joy of cooking is enhanced with a glass of vino sitting by my cutting board and knife.  Chopping Brussels sprouts is simply more enjoyable when sipping wine.  

And I can’t ignore the cherished happy hours with my husband.  Reclining on our rocking chairs outside, feet propped on a shared ottoman with a bottle of wine between us results in some of the best conversations we have.  It strengthens our marriage and I hope models commitment to our relationship to our children. 

Surely I’m not alone in this.  

When the forced reset hits

However, despite its health benefits, alcohol is carbs in a stem glass.  Let’s face it: When we are watching our calories and nutrients, there often isn’t room in the budget for a glass or two of fermented grapes.  

So when it’s time for me to clean things up and reset to health, wine is often the first thing crossed off the approved list.  And this pains me a little.  

Yet it appears a large contingent of women are like me, who enjoy a glass and will exercise a little more to work that into the nutritional allowance.  

Emails with shirts bedazzeld with “Will Run for Wine” hit my inbox. Many races hand out beer to finishers.  Heck, someone even created the Wine Run!  

Best Practices from best friends

I spent 24 hours in Austin recently with two of my dearest friends.  To say these ladies are leaders in their field is an understatement.  One works 50-60 hours a week mentoring college students as Director of Student Media at my alma mater.  She’s a wife and mom as well, and has been on her own path to health over the last few years.  Last year, she trained for, and completed, her first half marathon.  It was my honor to prepare with her, over 500 miles away.   

My other friend began exercising and eating right about six years ago.  She’s learned to create her own habits of health in the midst of owning a successful clinic, serving on several boards in her field, a local radio station, and her daughters’ school.  Last year she was awarded Small Business Person of the Year by her community’s chamber of commerce.   

As my son would say, these sisters are LEGIT.  I’m not sure how they muster the physical and mental energy to get through their full days.  Exercising and eating right take their precious time.  

A few weeks ago I decided I wanted to learn how over committed moms do it.  How they manage to get in workouts, taxi service and healthy family dinners amidst working eight or more hours a day.  And oh yeah, commuting to and from their employment on top of that.  I’ve been casually interviewing every working mom I can.  My friend and I exchanged voice mails, unsuccessfully.  Finally I had an opportunity to pick her brain.  What she told me was brilliant.  

4/4 for balance and sustainability

Her approach?  

4/4:  In one week, she strives to exercise four days and have four days alcohol-free.

Why does this make me so excited?  Because it’s balanced.  It’s attainable.  And it still allows a few nights of sauvignon blanc with my dinner prep.  

Four days of exercise: If your weekdays have limited white space, bang out two workouts during the weekend and figure out two more times during the week.  Get up early once or head out for a run in the evening and offer a free-for-all for dinner.

Four days alcohol-free: Enjoy the flexibility of this.  Work event that involves a bottle for the table?  That’s a day.  Mexican restaurant with friends and a margarita?  That’s a day.  But we take away the habit of pouring an evening glass.   

Where’s the nutrition, you ask?  My goal is every day, 80% of the day.  Is healthy eating your challenge?  Then add a “four.”  Or substitute one for the other.  Don’t drink? Try super clean eating four days and exercise four days.

I came back and relayed this to my husband.  While he thought this was as doable as I did, he did say, “You know this makes us sound like alcoholics, right?”  

I hope it doesn’t.  And I want to be clear that I am not advocating or condoning over-indulging or abuse of alcohol.  But if I’m going to be real with you in this Graced Health journey, you deserve to know the whole truth, not just the part that makes an encouraging blog post.

I won’t assume everyone’s challenges are mine.  But I can tell you that for me, 4/4 is something I can embrace and achieve.  I will certainly toast to that!