Self care or self hatred/punishment?

Today is day 20 of a 21 day nutritional "whole systems reboot" and I have received a few comments regarding my motive behind this reset. Where I really don't feel the need to explain my choices regarding my health, I am in the space of coaching and educating so I look at this as a "teachable moment":)

I had been doing the whole "grab and go" lifestyle pretty much from October- February while every spare moment was spent studying for the NBHWC exam. I admit to skipping meals, skipping workouts and occasionally skimping on sleep in order to get the study time I felt I needed to properly prepare for this exam. About 6 weeks in, I realized this was NOT sustainable and scaled back, got back to my workouts and made sure to eat more consistently. However after it was all said and done, I knew that I had not been honoring my own code of health and had not been nourishing my body optimally.

Fortunately, I had a classmate and friend of mine who felt the same and embarked on this 21 day journey with me. Let me be clear: this reset was NOT about punishing myself for eating sub optimally. It was NOT about punishing myself for not working out regularly. It WAS about self care. Pure and simple, doing what I know makes me feel better physically and mentally/emotionally. I am 100% AGAINST quick fixes. However I am 100% FOR mindfully re-engaging in activities that you know help you thrive. It's easy to get off track and takes intentional effort to get refocused. 

That got me thinking, there truly can be a fine line between self care and self "punishment".

Sitting on the couch eating a bowl of ice cream: 

• self care: indulging on a special occasion with great company 
• "punishment": diving face first into the container of Ben and Jerry's after the scale went up 2 pounds

Drinking a few glasses of wine:

• self care: hey, wine contains antioxidants right?! Sharing some laughs with your BFFs after a year of quarantine
• "punishment": trying to numb out after "beating yourself up" for not getting that promotion at work

Running 5 miles:

• self care: moving your body because it clears your mind and fuels your day
• "punishment": trying to burn off 3 slices of pizza you had last night

It's all in the context, and sometimes you don't even know why you engage in an activity unless you stop and take the time to evaluate and be present(either before or after the event).

“Whether our action is wholesome or unwholesome depends on whether that action or deed arises from a disciplined or undisciplined state of mind. It is felt that a disciplined mind leads to happiness and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering, and in fact it is said that bringing about discipline within one's mind is the essence of the Buddha's teaching.” – Dalai Lama XIV

Sometimes we all just need a little kick in the butt, and something to provide that catalyst for change. Lasting transformation doesn't happen in 10, 14 or 21 days, but it's a start. And being mindful of WHY you want to make a change is half the battle.

I am going to be offering the 21 day reset I did as a 10 day challenge in April so you can do some Spring Cleaning of your own:)

Interested? Sign up HERE