BaLaNcE

As we enter the beginning of summer, we find ourselves maybe juggling more than we usually do such as school ending, vacations, camps, kids out of school, all the things! It can be hard to find that perfect balance between showing up for yourself and giving yourself grace when needed. But how do we draw the line and know the difference when giving yourself grace turns into just making excuses?

I’ve been on a continuous fitness journey for a few years now, and from the beginning one thing I knew I had to break myself free from was the idea that there was an “end goal” to achieve. For me, this was a complete lifestyle change. For years prior I tried everything to lose the weight except do the work myself. No fad diet was going to get me the results I wanted and keep me there. It took a while, but I finally learned that the key is consistency. We’ve all heard it before, and it is so much easier said than done. Because as it turns out, it is 100% up to you to show up for yourself and put in the work. You versus you. 

Once I found my love and passion for fitness, saw progress physically and mentally, it snowballed and became second nature. Working out was a nonnegotiable part of my routine, and I had finally developed better eating habits. However, life loves to happen to us all. We get busy, we fall on hard times mentally, emotionally, and maybe physically. The workout gets put on the back burner, a quick run through the drive through for dinner in between the chaos of the day and doing what we can just to get by. In these times I always take a step back and remind myself that giving myself grace is necessary – but there comes a point where the lens focuses, and I realize too much time has gone by where I have been making everything and everyone a priority BUT myself, and I start to see it and feel it but the thought of getting back into early morning workouts or meal prepping seems just as daunting as the first time I stepped into a gym. 

How do I pull myself out of it? I go back to the basics. One single step at a time, starting small. Choosing to do one thing each day for myself – going on a walk, setting aside time to journal/pray/meditate, leaning on a friend to hold me accountable, and always gratitude. Slowly add more workouts, meal prep, etc. And just like how my fitness journey started to begin with, it starts snowballing and becomes second nature again. I’m reminded all over again how good working out consistently feels, not only physically but how much it impacts my mental health. Over time I start noticing physical changes, and before I know it, I’ve been back on routine, excuse free. (For the most part lol) 

I think the coolest thing about fitness is that it’s a CHOICE. We GET to show up for ourselves and move our bodies. We GET to nourish our bodies and fuel ourselves to be strong and get stronger. We GET to come to the gym and have the opportunity to escape the chaos and noise of the world and have time with just us, our thoughts, and maybe a good playlist. We GET to make that choice for ourselves, and I believe that establishing a mindset where you are no longer making excuses to not, you’re looking for reasons and ways you CAN show up for yourself knowing it will pay dividends, whatever that looks like for you and your journey.