Switch things up with a few lifestyle tweaks.
Whatever our age, we all want to lead a good life. And the positive energy that fuels us for the day is all brought about through the lifestyle we lead. Waking up with a clear plan in mind is far easier than waking up to a day without any direction (although admittedly, waking up late on a Sunday morning to a day of blissful emptiness is sometimes a blessing!)
Being enthusiastic is a definite pro, so we asked Denise Gafa, self-titled 'life enthusiast' and instagram darling, to give us a few pointers on how to lead a productive life, no matter the curve balls it may throw your way. Denise is a fishmonger, a CrossFit practicer and an overall optimistic person. These are her top tips to keep motivated and keep your head above the water.
Focus on the results
The best way to keep yourself motivated is to keep your eye on the prize. “Don’t focus on the negative,” she says, “the ultimate goal is to be happy!” Denise also recommends surrounding yourself with people with like-minded goals, for example, those trying to follow a healthy lifestyle should hang out with their gym-rat friends and those looking to ace their exams should spend some more time with the serious kids on the block.
Stick to your routine… or at least try
Denise follows quite a hectic routine - it’s one she swears by and finds the positive in every stage of her day. An average day in the life of a fishmonger may look something like this: an early wake up call of 3am on most days and a 7am rise on mellow days. Rising early is a great benefit to Denise’s busy life - allowing her to fill her day with relaxing activities to compliment a busy morning with the fish. With CrossFit, an hour of cardio per day and some time to work on her personal projects, Denise still finds time to socialise - unless her battery’s running on empty! You’re allowed to have a cheat day once in a while of course - you’re human after all.
You are what you eat
Food is often the enemy for those trying to shed a few, and this effort is generally the most difficult element to add to your newly mastered routine. Denise claims that healthy food is tasty, and also believes that the unconverted few will definitely throw a few dirty looks her way as she says this! Her best food tip is to keep everything in moderation, as she shares her daily morning dilemma; “I love peanut butter, but while it is healthy and tasty, eating an entire jar isn’t exactly a good idea - this is my morning battle, every, single, day.”
The life enthusiast’s 5 top tips:
1. Wake up early: you’re super productive that way.
2. Be confident: Denise's mantra is “I’m the queen of my land (your mind) and no one can ever look down on me.”
3. Get over it: learn how to shift your focus from the negative things in the day to the things that bring you joy.
4. Be patient: it’s a major, serious virtue; if you have this ability, you’re set for life.
5. Do something: act on your goals, take the first step to hitting your targets by doing your best to make it happen.
Like the majority of us, Denise also has a few things that trigger her nerves, disrupt plans and put a dent in her mood - for her, this apocalyptic tragedy happens when she misses a meal... even a deficit of 100 calories prompts her to flip tables on cue! Her top spot to relax and feel at peace is Mellieha - the secluded village and the long drive bring home those positive vibrations.
“You’re allowed to be a mess sometimes, but it doesn't mean you have to be a mess everyday - unless you’re happy with it of course!” she smiles.