Health Doesn’t Take a Vacation

Our honey moon was beautiful – we spent 7 lovely days in paradise: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The people are amazing! They really aim to please and work very hard. It was very relaxing – we totally unplugged, leaving our cell phones in the hotel room safe. It was a welcome break from our daily routine.

 The food was phenomenal! It was all natural and wholesome. There was nothing processed or boxed or canned. It was fresh from the earth with no preservatives, no chemicals and no pesticides.

The buffet took some getting used to and the first two days we definitely overate. But after that, we learned to restrain ourselves and make good choices, to leave food on the plate if we no longer were hungry.

Although I didn’t keep my Weight Watchers points this week, I estimated each day and did better and better as the week progressed. I noticed that health and diet don’t take vacation. Just because I am on vacation does not give me a license to pig-out and eat poorly. While I certainly could, I had no desire to. I am on a quest to be my best self and that means every day, all the time not just when it is convenient or I am home.

Moderation is the key to success.

It is easy to make excuses for your (bad) behavior when you are away or when no one is looking. This is called integrity and integrity doesn’t take vacation either! Who you are is what you do all the time even – especially – when no one is looking.

When you cheat on your taxes – or your spouse – when you yell at your kids, when you gossip, when you sneak food or a smoke, you cheat yourself. And YOU know it. The guilt and shame is your conscience speaking to you. Your conscience keeps you up at night.

When you do not do what you know is the right thing for you, when you behave in ways that go against who you are, when you do not honor yourself, you hurt yourself.

And you can’t take a vacation from yourself.

Life continually tests you with opportunities that challenge your commitments and values. This is free will; you have the power to choose. When you are clear about what’s important to you, then it is easier to make choices in your own best interest, no matter where you are. And with each choice you make that reinforces your commitment to being your best and to living your values, you increase the trust you have in yourself.

Your partner for success,

Coach Julie, RN ~ Nurturing Your Success