Welcome to my personal blog where I share my own health journey; the ups and downs and the good and the bad.
A scene from the Åland Islands - the my inspiration for my business. My parents built a summer cottage here where we spent all our summers. Having grown up abroad and moved around a lot this is the one place where I have some roots.
The Why
Changing your habits and lifestyle is hard work!
For me it has been quite a journey. At times, I have tried and failed, I have stumbled and fallen, and I have almost given up. But as frustrating as it can be, finding a new and better way in mid-life is also fun and exciting. It has given me energy, purpose and a new outlook on life. That is why I wanted to share a little of my own story and journey as I try to implement the information and tips I talk and write about in my workshops, newsletter and the Simply Nordic Health Blog.
For me this journey is not about being perfect, it's about keeping it real.
The What
I realize now that I was very lucky 20 years ago. My weight and health was not something I thought that much about. I was never that super skinny person but I was at a healthy weight. My body took me where I wanted to go. I could eat pretty much what I wanted and if I gained some extra pounds I could quite easily exercise it off. Of course this could not last, but I didn’t realize it then.
The big change came after my daughter was born. As so many others have discovered, your body changes after you have a baby. And your life and habits change.
Then came grief in the shape of the loss of my father and secondary infertility. It took a big toll. I didn’t know it yet but I was starting to stumble.
Almost four years ago I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer. It was traumatic and shocking and the grief just tore through me. Those stumbles became falls as the grief took a mental and physical toll.
As I started to grapple with the realization that I had lost both my parents and my life back home in Sweden in many ways, I knew I needed to make some changes.
I became interested in how our lives impact our health and vice versa after my daughter was born and as a result I got my BA in public health with a focus on healthy communities. Then, after my mom passed away, I continued my journey by becoming a certified health coach. In many ways it was a way to work through my own health challenges after dealing with grief. But it became a true passion and interest and I really truly love this work.
The How
My hope is that by showing the fun and exciting parts as well as the frustrating and difficult parts I can add a small but honest and real voice to the discussion. As I have gotten older, I can no longer exercise off the extra weight - actually the weight stays stuck on like glue and I carry a lot of extra weight around my middle - I have new and curious aches and pains, my energy has dwindled, my sleep is sporadic and some days I don’t quite recognize myself or this body.
On the other hand, as I have gotten older and learned more I feel like I have more knowledge, I have a deeper support system, and I have gained some self-confidence. To be honest I am also more grateful and more forgiving and accepting of myself.
We don't always talk openly and honestly about how challenging this middle of life is but I am excited to learn and share it with you!
Please reach out to me at linda@simplynordichealth.com or on Facebook and Instagram.
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