Any plans for Mother’s Day? Whether you’re a mom or there’s a mom in your life, make sure to celebrate!

As moms, we’re so busy taking care of everyone else that we sometimes need to be reminded to take care of ourselves too. But for many moms, by the time everyone else’s needs are met, we don’t have the time, strength, motivation or energy left for any self-care. So where does that leave us? Unfit, overweight, overwhelmed and unhappy! Here’s how it works…

Face it; you probably have way too much to take care of. There are about 1,000 tasks, chores, errands and responsibilities to tackle throughout any given day.

How can you possibly get it all done? The only way is by cutting some corners and instead of our overwhelm impacting anyone else, we may find some extra time by:

• giving up our workouts

• grabbing something to eat while cooking for others instead of sitting down to a meal

• saving a few minutes by not doing our makeup, hair, nails, etc.

• wearing the same old clothes because we haven’t taken the time to get new ones

• giving up time to read a book, take a bath, journal, etc. so we can straighten up the house, fold the
laundry or do the dishes

• telling our friends we can’t meet them for lunch because we have errands to take care of

• the list goes on and on…

So we do this for a while, maybe years, even decades. We look in the mirror and see the result of our “selflessness” and find that we’ve been loving everyone else but ourselves. We see a tired face, an unfit body and a “thrown together” look. We shake our heads in disgust and walk away. The results of our current lifestyle, choices and habits are less than glamorous. Here’s where the anger, frustration and shame starts to kick in…but it doesn’t have to!

The first step to changing ANYTHING that doesn’t work is to first become aware of it. Have you become aware of something that isn’t working for you? GREAT! Now you need to figure out what you’re missing whether it’s eating better, getting back into fitness, getting more sleep, spending time with friends, reading a magazine, etc.

Once you’ve figured that out, carve out some time and get started! It doesn’t need to be anything major, anything drastic is only temporary at best. Slow, steady steps in the right direction is the only way to achieve lasting results. Now, here’s where some moms get tripped up and think…”But I don’t have time for those things.” Is there no time because you don’t want to ask for help, feel no one can do a task as well as you, find it difficult to let go of something or believe you’ll seem inadequate if you delegate some tasks? Here’s what I say…”Please hang up the cape SuperMom!”

I’m sure you’re extremely capable of doing it all but from personal experience (if you don’t know my story I tell it in my book The Lifestyle Fitness Program) that mindset only led to a complete deterioration of my health, wellness and happiness. It led to so many symptoms, illnesses, conditions and even disease. It was only when I hit rock bottom and was willing to acknowledge the damage my lifestyle was creating that I took back the reigns and made the necessary changes to regain my health, fitness, wellness and happiness. You can too!

So, here’s my Mother’s Day gift to you. You’re amazing, incredible, capable and have all the tools you need to make the changes to your lifestyle to make it work better. You don’t need to make excuses, justify or rationalize why you want a little time for you. You deserve to feel good-not because you’ve proven anything to anyone but simply because you exist!

Give yourself permission to take better care of yourself-not just on Mother’s Day but every day. It’s not indulgent, it’s crucial to your wellness and will not only benefit you but will benefit all within your care. Will you make that over due hair appointment? Take a walk? Buy some beautiful ripe berries to enjoy? It’s so simple but so important. I’d love to hear your ideas, let me know what you’re planning to do. Comment and share!