You can ignore your needs until you can't.
Being able to take a walk by myself- without my dogs- took up way too many sessions with my therapist.
How could I justify walking without one- or several- of my 4 leggers, who clearly need one too?
Wow did I carry (and still do, to a lesser degree) a lot of shame about how hard this was for me.
The most embarrassing part being that I am WELL VERSED in knowing how important taking time for yourself is- it’s a common conversation I have with my clients.
But no how matter how much awareness I have, my lived experience reflects being a caretaker since I was a kid.
Holding space for a parent in pain and keeping my own close to my chest in an attempt to not make things worse for anyone else.
It’s my default mode.
And.
It doesn’t serve me at all.
When it comes to my loved ones, I go through periods of not asking for help, putting myself and my needs last, getting to a breaking point, and only THEN making different choices that support my physical and mental health.
I STILL do this. Less than I used to, but it still happens.
So I’m here to publicly commit to 2023 being the year where my breaking point isn’t the catalyst for self care.
And if this is something you’re working on too, there’s anything I know- we’re not alone in our struggles.
Author
Gretchen
Coach
Growing up I was a half-hearted athlete who struggled with my relationship with both food and exercise. I smoked for over a decade and spent much of my youth either binging or not eating at all. But after breaking my leg in a car accident, months of physical rehab and years of psychological counseling lead me to a renewed appreciation for my health and my ability to just move-something I'll never take for granted again. I overcame a lot and have spent much of my life sharing what I've learned. I became a NASM personal trainer over 16 years ago. The type of clients I've trained and my own personal interests lead me to attain many other certifications. These include Sports Specific and Orthopedic exercise specializations, Pre and Post Natal exercise, MMA conditioning, and ACE Mind Body Specializations. I've taken 2 TRX qualifying courses in general and functional fitness. I am Kettlebell certified through both NETA and Kettlebell Kings, also completing an independent study facilitated by Steve Cotter, founder of the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation. I am also a certified Animal Flow Instructor. In the fall of 2021, I became a Certified Intuitive Eating Facilitator, as IE was integral to my own ability to divest from diet culture. I think this was the missing piece to be able to put together a holistic, meaningful training program for all my clients.
