Saturday, October 5th of 2024 will be day one (AGAIN) of The Lisa Renee Project. I’ve started and stopped many times. Wow, so many times! This has been a long time coming. I’ve dabbled with fitness and nutrition throughout the last 40+ decades, but never consistently.
You see, sometimes we reach a point in our life when we realize the daily choices we make are leading us away from the person we aspire to be. My moment of reckoning came a few years ago when I realized I’ve been enjoying 1.5 bottles of wine nearly every evening for decades.
Clearly, it’s time for change.
At my age, 62 as of this writing, time is of the essence!
I eliminating, once again, all the wine beginning with my 25-day challenge on 10/5/24. See more about that HERE.
I decided NOT to focus on the reasons I found myself with less-than-ideal habits; what’s crucial is the moment I decided to take responsibility for my health, to become the person I was meant to be. This isn’t just about cutting out wine for a specific amount of time; it’s also about making a firm commitment to foster a strong relationship with someone very important: my future self.
It’s about building a bridge to the health and body I want, with transparency about the ups and downs along the way.
Giving up wine isn’t the only part of my plan. I aim to tap into my extensive knowledge of fitness and nutrition to create a solid foundation for this transformation. This know-how is priceless, and I’m here to help you understand how I plan to use it to achieve a state of excellence for my future.
The decision to go public with my positives and negatives holds a dual purpose. Firstly, it keeps me accountable. Secondly, it will be proof to you, my dear ladies over 60, that it’s not to late to ensure your future is optimal.
It will give me credibility for when you want me to show you the how’s to making it happen since I will have transformed myself! Pictures to show you will be posted when I’ve made progress and I’ll continue to post with each shift in appearance.
I really hope that by opening up about the challenges, the steps I take, and the progress I make, you can all learn something valuable. Stay tuned as open up my deepest thoughts and feeling, as well as insights and pitfalls, of this wellness project. Perhaps you will choose to join me at some point.
But do at least check in once in a while and give me your thoughts. What is your biggest concern about moving through the final decades of life?
Core Development: Fitness and Nutrition
In my opinion, building a wellness project isn’t just about subtracting habits like my evening wines; it’s also about what I choose to add to my life. And that’s going to include two critical elements: fitness and nutrition. This isn’t just a hunch—it’s backed by every scrap of knowledge I’ve learned over the years about creating a resilient body and mind.
This project is bringing together a basis for living a life of excellence!
I’ve decided to start off this go-round with a bang and utilize some of the principles of 75 Hard (The Mental Toughness program Check these out HERE!). I have found I have trouble walking since I have some form of neuropathy, but will work to overcome that issue. Therefore, my outdoor workout may be cut short or have to end with doing some other outdoor exercise. Or even eliminated sometimes.
However, I will strive to work the program as designed and will start over if I find at some point that my abilities have improved.
That being said, I am doing the 25-day challenge to start, but the goal is to simply keep going!
Therefore, I’m putting all my fitness know-how to use. I’m talking about structured workout routines that fit into even the busiest schedules and exercises that are measurable, so I can track my gains in strength and endurance. I’ll share my fitness program which I designed to my specific needs.
There will be a strong element of LISS(low intensity steady state) cardio to burn fat at a higher rate and also a HIIT (high intensity interval training) component. Powerful resistance training is the most important part because of its ability to reverse bone loss with the gain of muscle. As well, yoga or a stretching routine for flexibility and balance.
For me, it’s about simplicity and sustainability. I do have a home gym, but it isn’t necessary.
My plan doesn’t involve fad diets; rather, it’s grounded in balance and nutrient-rich foods that fuel my body in the most effective way. I’m going to share how planning meals in advance leads to better choices and how hydrating with water can sometimes be the simplest game changer.
I choose to eat foods that are high in proteins and healthy fats with carb-cycling throughout the week.
Tracking progress is as much a main feature as the workouts and meals themselves. You can always adjust your approach down the road, but for now, I’m using a combo of fitness apps and old-school journaling to keep myself accountable. And this transparency isn’t just for me—it’s something I’m going to share with you, too.
Additionally, I am incorporating a skincare routine using a variety of tools and home remedies to lift, tighten, and create a more youthful appearance to not only the face/neck areas, but the rest of the the body too! As well, the supplements I use daily.
I’ll share all of it along the way…
Navigating the Waters: Honest Documentation
Day by day, this wellness project may feel like steering a ship through calm and stormy waters alike. I’m going to be upfront about it: the positives are exhilarating, but the negatives, they can be just as instructive. You’re going to find out about the days when I leap out of bed, fueled by massive energy, and the nights I struggle with cravings, missing the familiar comfort of a glass of wine.
In my opinion, it’s crucial to share both the highs and the lows. That’s why I’ve decided to document every step of this project and share my experience publicly. It’s not just about celebrating the wins like hitting my fitness targets or finding a new favorite recipe that fits my macros. It’s also about working through the periods of doubt and temptation, and sharing the strategies that help me follow through and finish this project.
But really, will it ever be finished??? NO!
The plan is to not worry too much about the difficult days happening but to find ways to push through. We all have them. It’s what you do next that defines you. On days that feel overwhelming, I must remind myself why I started. The vision of a healthier, stronger, future me should powerful enough to steer me back on track.
This includes allowing for the cracks in my discipline with learning to hone my resilience and mental toughness. Every stumble is a learning opportunity, and if I want to build a healthier future, I must learn to view setbacks not as failures, but as informative bumps on the road towards hitting goals.
I plan to always adjust my approach as I go, but I must start by being honest with myself, and that’s what I’m doing beginning Saturday. I will be journaling, posting social media updates, blogging, and Youtube-ing. By making this project public, I invite accountability and support from those around around me, building a community of individuals who cheer on my wins and help me navigate the losses with comments, emails, or texts.
After all, this isn’t just about physical health—it’s building a mindset of self-improvement that spills over into other areas of life, like my co-existing projects: alcohol-free living and wealth creation.
Alcohol-Free Living: Giving Up the Ghost
As I’m learning I want you to understand something pretty important: the effects of wine on the body and mind. See, I’ve been a wine lover for years, but I realized it was time for a change. Going alcohol-free for the 25-day challenge and beyond wasn’t just a random choice; it was intentional, aiming to see real, tangible effects.
In my opinion, it’s not just about cutting out wine; it’s about witnessing your body and mind transform. Throughout these 25+ days, I’m monitoring some specific changes. You’re going to find out about improvements in sleep quality, mental clarity, and energy levels. Skin health gets better, and there’s weight loss too, not to mention a reduced risk of certain long-term health issues.
Now, let me tell you, I expect this project to be eye-opening. The first few days will be tough, with cravings and old habits knocking at the door. But as I cross the one-week mark, things should start looking up. As my sleep improves, my mornings will feel fresher, more energetic and my productivity during the day…well, I am looking forward to that skyrocketing!
And I know the psychological changes will be just as striking as the physical ones. There’s a sense of control and a surge in confidence to be expected. It turns out that saying no to a habitual glass (or six) can make you feel more positive, and trust me, that along with the confidence boost will spill over into other areas of my life.
This is where I start building a foundational blueprint that will pave the way for strong, long-term wellness practices. Eradicating alcohol for a while is about more than just removing a negative; it’s about creating space for more positives and growing in self and business. This is all leading up to building a lasting friendship with my future self. This isn’t just about my current state; it’s a way to ensure I’m looking out for the me in the years to come.
Growing a Friendship with the Future Me
You’re probably wondering what it means to become friends with your future self, right? Well, it’s not about sending a Facebook friend request into the future. Instead, it’s about making decisions today that my future self will thank me for. It’s a way of living that prioritizes long-term satisfaction and health over immediate gratification.
I visualize my future self as healthier and more energetic, with a deeper sense of well-being as a starting point and a tactic to keep my goal in the foreground. I’m now going to be making choices that align with this vision, like exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and skipping that bottle and a half of wine. These choices don’t just make sense; they’re investments in my longevity and happiness.
And everything else will start following suit in my wealth creation activities.
I’m convinced that self-care is at the heart of this project’s process. By honoring my body’s needs and respecting my own limits, I’m building a foundation for a future that’s not only healthier, but also more fulfilling. It involves picking up habits that serve me well both now and down the road, and yes, saying no to habits that don’t.
But how am I setting actionable goals to ensure I get there? It’s about making them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. For example, instead of vaguely deciding to exercise more, I’ve committed to a 30-minute workout at least five times a week. And rather than an open-ended wine break, I’ve set a countdown to the end of 2024 as deadline. Then I’ll revisit wether to allow it back into my life. I’m tracking these goals daily, watching as small victories pave the way to big changes.
My approach is straightforward. I’m keeping a journal, noting how I feel physically and mentally, keeping myself honest about my actions, and adjusting as necessary. This journal isn’t just for recording successes; it’s also for understanding where I stumble and planning how to pick myself up. It’s a real-time conversation with the person I’m becoming.
This isn’t simply about preparing for old age, but about creating a lifetime full of vibrant, energetic years. It’s an invitation to my future self to enjoy the benefits of the hard work I’m doing today. It’s about being the kind of friend to myself that I would want to have: supportive, understanding, and always looking out for my well-being.
Business Growth Through Personal Transformation
I’m going to let you in on a secret: wellness isn’t just a personal triumph; it bleeds into every facet of your life, including your business. Have you ever wondered if taking better care of yourself could be your professional edge? Chances are, it is. I found out that as my energy levels soared and my mind became sharper by giving up wine and improving my fitness, my business reaped the benefits too.
Though I’ve allowed bad habit to creep back in I’m mentally prepared to reset, refocus, and re-commit!
A lot is happening very quickly in the realm of work when you’re more present, confident, and full of vigor. I discovered a symbiotic relationship between health and productivity that I hadn’t tapped into before. Every new habit formed or bad habit dismantled can directly influence your work ethic, decision-making, and creativity.
Don’t worry too much about immediately seeing massive changes in your business metrics, though. Transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. But as you get healthier, you might notice you’re better at coping with stress, more resilient in the face of challenges, and an overall more effective leader.
Choose something that resonates with you from this journey. Maybe it’s the discipline, the self-care focus, or the connection with a future healthier self. There’s a lot of opportunity in adopting even a fraction of these personal wellness strategies for your professional life.
In my opinion, aligning personal health with business success isn’t just smart, it’s essential. By prioritizing wellness, I am laying the groundwork for more sustainable performance that could lead not just to short-term gains, but to a long and thriving entrepreneurial journey.
It’s important I remember to not focus too much on perfection; it’s the persistent pursuit of better health and the incremental victories that will mount up to significant business improvements over time.
So my question to you today is, are you ready to take on your own wellness challenge? Remember, your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last, and your business will thank you for it.
Love and hugs,
~Lisa Renee