No Excuses

Is it me or does spring/summertime seem almost busier than the fall holiday season? As soon as May rolls around we are barraged with a ton of social invitations/obligations. Baby and bridal showers, weddings, picnics and BBQ’s, high school and college graduations, retirement parties, golf outings, 5K’s, sports events…need I say more? And whether you’re the host of one of these events or simply a guest, each role brings a wealth of challenges. 

If you're the host, well...forget about it...from the planning and preparation---invitations, shopping, food preparation, home preparation/decoration to hosting the actual event---one word, exhausting! And if you're the guest, you might need to shop for a gift, prepare a meal or travel long distances.

I remember that about this time last year, I was planning my daughter's graduation party, and I was a madwoman on a mission. Being that she was our first high school graduate, I wanted to be sure I did it up right, and it went off without a hitch. It was a really great day. :) But what gave? My weight loss efforts went out the window that week. I mean who on earth has that much time in their day? I'll never forget some advice my older and wiser friend gave me during that time, it went something like "Tara, no-one will care if your house is perfect and clean, or that you planted new flowers, or made the just the right food, they'll just remember being together, laughing and having fun." If only I had heeded that advice a little bit sooner.

What if that week I chose to put my wellness first? What if I carved an hour out of my day to exercise FIRST? What if I took a few extra minutes to prepare some healthy meals FIRST and I let a few things go with my planning and preparation? What if I delegated some of that planning and preparation? Easier said than done, especially for an over-the-top person like me. But here's the deal, there will always ALWAYS be something or someone competing for our attention, especially during this time of year. We can come up with a million and one excuses to not take care of ourselves. "I have too many events this week; I'll start eating right after that". "My son's getting married; I'll get back on track with my exercise after the wedding". "I've just got way too much going on in my life right now."

The word excuse means to seek or obtain exemption or release for oneself. When we make excuses, what we're really going is exempting ourselves from good health. I know that this is a really challenging time of year to take care of you, but if you don't, who will? Don't excuse yourself from good health; you're worth that and so much more!

Ask for help. Make the choice. Commit to the choice. Continue with courage.

Hugs and friendship,

Tara