Photo by Teri Fiske

Hi guys!

Back in January, I was reflecting on my life and career and how I spent lots of time creating programs to help my clients look and feel their best, and it hit me that I was NOT doing that for myself.  Like, at ALL.  I was not working out consistently, I was not taking my “me” time seriously, and I was breaking promises all over the place, promises that I had made myself.  So, for the last three months, I have done something wild and wonderful:  I have created a program for ME.  By ME.  To benefit ME.

I think that people like us, people in the health and wellness industry, are used to giving out energy.  We like it.  But sometimes, if we don’t replenish the ol’ tank with self nurturing, we tend to crash and burn.  We work so hard to get that week off, and when we set our little tootsies in the sand on that first day of vacation, we feel a little tickle in the throat as well.  And BAM:  Vacation ruined by sickness.  It’s annoying!

SO, I decided to schedule a program for MYSELF, to replenish my energy and service tank on a weekly basis.  I can’t prove this, but I can only say to you that I’m pretty sure it has saved my ass these past few months.  Here’s what I am doing:

THE WORKOUT REGIME:  1 pilates reformer class, 2 yoga classes, and 2 cardio workouts per week.  CLASSES I TEACH DO NOT COUNT!  How many of you have tried to sneak that in there?  We reason:  “Well, I teach so  much that I’m working out all the time!”  Bullsh*t.  If you are teaching and teaching well, you’re NOT working out to your full potential.  You’re running the show.  If you are working out to your full potential in classes you teach, you are a sh*tty teacher.  There, I said it. It’s true.  We all know it.  We must take time to nurture ourselves FULLY during workout time.  Once a week, I take yoga at a studio where I hardly see any of my regular students.  I’m in cognito.  No one even knows I’m there, except ME.  And my amazing colleague and teacher, who treats me like a student during that hour.  I am so grateful.

THE BODYWORK REGIME:  I joined Massage Envy.  It’s 2 blocks from my house, and I pay a monthly fee that automatically goes toward 1 massage per month.  So I am guaranteed one massage per month, at least, and a significant discount if I choose to go more than once.  Pre-paying for this service makes me go.

THE MINDSET REGIME:  I have a category on my iCloud calendar called “Self Love.”  I schedule all of my weekly yoga and bodywork stuff under this category, so I can see how I’m nurturing myself every week.  It makes me feel great when I see that I am balancing the red (self love) with the green (work) categories.  I have also scheduled in an hour here and there to “shower and eat” under “Self Love”.  But I see the red, nonetheless, and it makes me feel like I’m taking care of myself.  I also don’t feel the need during that time to multi task by eating at my computer or trying to fit in emails.  Shower and eat means shower and eat!  No guilt!

THE GROWTH REGIME:  Need a break from teaching?  Become a student!  Right now I am doing Erin Stutland‘s Magical Manifesters program, and Tom Burke’s Book It program.  No one expects me to teach.  All I do is absorb information and practice new skills.  And I feel like an awesome learner.

So, what are you doing to fill YOUR tank?  I would love to know.  Leave a comment for me, because I am always looking for new ways to feel awesome, and I love supporting your good feelings as well!

So, what are you doing to give back to yourself?