Did anyone set themselves some New Year goals?
I had set mine a month prior but had a fall on the yacht which resulted in ruptured ligaments in my ankle meaning that I had to take the beginning of the year slowly. Why not join me in making February the official start to the Year!
Those who know me know that going slowly is not something I can adjust to easily. Thanks to advise from those in the know, I am in an air boot, resting rather than starting my new year’s program of power walking and running, ashtanga yoga and my normal busy routine. Instead i have been working out my core and upper body and taking time out for me. Which is not a bad thing at all but unusual for this yacht chef!
Don’t beat yourself up
Injuries aside, try to make sure you set goals that are realistic. Your goals should be achievable rather than being distant dreams unachievable unless working and living ashore.
Don’t do it alone!
Mindset and perseverance are important but the secret to success for most is accountability. So why not enlist the help of other crew members who are trying to achieve the same goals?
Camaraderie amongst crew is part of working on a yacht. Living and working with people is part of the package, so I advise asking someone else to start working out with you. This will make it all the more fun, and you are held accountable for if you do not turn up for that power walk, cycle or run afterwork.
If dry Jan by passed you in a blur of New Year cocktail catch ups, why not try doing a dry February? Make sure there are others joining in with you and if you are a small crew try to get everyone to do it.
Do pick goals that will further you in life
Learn a language or another skill to take you further towards your dream such as a job outside yachting. Another idea is to do more courses which will enable you to go further in your yacht career.
Do write down your goals
Whatever your goals or resolutions are, write them down. Make sure to keep them somewhere that you see them regularly as a reminder. You do not need to have a list as long as your arm as this will overwhelm you and you will never achieve them. Instead, keep a simple, manageable list of goals which will make it easier to start the new year, new month or even week off with a positive attitude!
Do clean up your act
A great way to start is by cleaning up your eating and drinking habits that were likely to have gone slightly off the rails during the festive period. Allow February, a new month your time to start afresh. Cleaning up eating patterns helps regulate your blood sugar levels so you don’t suffer energy spikes during the day. Life without slumps and mind fog is a wonderful thing!
Stop snacking on those cookies and chocolates, or over processed foods, the sodas and the coffees. Instead, pick the apples and pears from the fruit bowl. Also, drink more filtered water! Ask the chef for some lemon, mint, cucumber to add. Be careful in drinking sweet smoothies made with fruit leftovers as while they are full of good sugars, but it is still sugar! Dilute them down with some filtered water or only take 1/2 glass if there is a jug sitting in the crew mess. If you have a craving just drink a glass of water and carry on doing the job you were doing before your mind wanders onto that chocolate cookie, that square of chocolate or that shortbread biscuit.
For some of you, I am sure you are still into a charter or at the end of one. If you are based in Palma, the yacht is in full swing again, back with normal hours, watches and crew back onboard. The holidays are over and your routines get put back in place and life starts afresh for 2018.
I hope you have already made a start or are now able to do what you intend to continue throughout the year to have a happier, healthier you throughout 2018.
Thanks for reading!
I am thrilled to contribute to Nourish which is successfully, naturally and gently brings like-minded souls together. This platform and community listens, shares, support and educates to help every member understand how to become a better soul, nurture a healthier body, and be part of something bigger than themselves.
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About the authorWorking as a private yacht chef on racer cruiser sailing yachts for the past 25 plus years, Polly has seen a massive change in the industry and in the health of the crew on board! She has been a vegetarian chef since she started cooking and is now a plant based chef. She feels very strongly about food and its immense importance in our lives, and how our lifestyles dictate our health. Trained in plant based cuisine, nutrition and sports nutrition and she continues to study in these fields. Her training and experiences is as a private chef and she now also works counseling and teaching people how to have healthier lifestyles to gain health and longevity. |