As I am hitting “publish” on this post, it’s the first week of spring. I love the changing of seasons. Spring brings opportunities for new growth, which is so exciting to me. As we are nearing three months into the new year, take a moment to reflect on where you are with the goals you set for yourself in the new year. Whether they were to lose weight, gain muscle, cut out sugars, eat more vegetables, drink more water, or a combination of all of them. Are you getting closer? If not, it’s time to stop making excuses and put yourself first. 

Why won't you choose you? 

I'm going to give you some things to consider here. First of all, if what you're doing is not getting you closer to your goals, it's pushing you farther away. What you eat, whether or not you exercise, whether you actively manage your stress, or how much sleep you get are all choices that you make every single day. Each one on their own will either take you closer or farther away from your goals. 

Stop Making Excuses and Put Yourself First.

Being Too Busy Means You Aren’t a Priority.

One of the common reasons/excuses I hear is that people are too busy to make time for their health. Listen, we are all busy. Okay, stop trying to win awards for being so busy. It's not a badge of honor. Especially as women we tend to think taking care of others is something that makes us selfless. Really,  putting ourselves first is the most selfless thing we can do. When you say you are too busy to take care of yourself, what you are saying is that you’re afraid to put yourself first. It says you’re hiding behind your busy schedule. Because admitting that your unhealthy lifestyle is your own choice is too hard. 

The truth is you are in charge. You are in charge. Stop hiding behind being busy. If you're saying to yourself, “I don't have time,” or you're saying to me, “I don't have time.” That means you're not  making  time. I've said that before. But it also means that you don't believe you're worthy of that time. You are worthy of that time. So knock it off. And start being honest with yourself. 

There is no such thing as a perfect time to start taking care of yourself. 

Here's a list of the things that could currently work as a reason for you to continue feeling like garbage:

• Easter is coming. That means candy, champagne, brunch and all those good things. 
• Spring Break is coming.  That means kids are off school, vacations, camping trips, whatever.
• There's a pandemic.  We've been using that excuse for an entire year now. Everything sucks about it. It's changed our lives. Get over it. Stop waiting for it to be over. You've been waiting 12 months. The average adult has gained 20 pounds in the last year. Kids are also gaining weight. The average kid is at gained 12 pounds that's not okay. 
• It's raining. There's a good excuse can't go outside, can't work out, can't whatever. 
• The time change  made it impossible to wake up early this week. Yep. 
• Kids’ sports are starting in the spring.  So now our schedules are getting busier. 
• Graduations are coming. There's another thing. 
• Everybody's getting married.  Everyone. They didn't get married last year. So now everyone's getting married this year. That's just for April and May. 

Summer brings with it a whole new list of reasons and things that are going to make it too hard for you to be healthy. 

Guess what, my friend?

It's not complicated. You're making excuses. Because at the end of the day, it's scary to admit to yourself that all you have to do is start.

What if You Put Yourself First and Succeeded?

What if you start and it works? 

What if you start and you immediately start feeling better?

What if you suddenly have less stress? Better sleep? More energy? 

And what if you suddenly look really awesome? 

What if you spent your energy convincing yourself that you can change and you will succeed? 

I started by saying spring is a time for new growth and opportunities. It’s true. Part of having a growth mindset is knowing that failure gives you the chance to regroup, learn, and grow from your mistakes.  You've already failed. I want you to start knowing that you'd better succeed or else. Don't give yourself room to quit. 

So what's it going to be today? Are you going to stop making excuses and put yourself first? Do you continue to move backward away from your goals? Or you finally decide to move forward? Will you continue to lie to yourself and to choose or make excuses? Or are you going to look yourself in the mirror? 

And finally say, I choose you. 

I'm right here waiting for you to choose you. Make the choice.  Schedule a call  this week, and let's do this.