Ahh…vacation! Vacation is one of those important activities that everyone needs in life, but few have learned to fully enjoy. Even the government understands the value of time off. France gets the entire month of August off! Americans are notorious for NOT taking enough time off, and when we do we are usually tied to a device of some sort to check work emails, keep up with FB, check in to make sure that the office hasn’t forgotten how important we are.
When I was living in the corporate world, I did exactly the same thing. I found myself unable to accrue any additional hours that I had earned for time off because I wasn’t using what I already had banked up. I would often participate on conference calls while my friends were off playing on the beach. The one time I decided to fully avoid conference calls, I received a handful of calls from coworkers asking me to help out – I had trained them that it was acceptable to interrupt my vacation. I was incapable of “turning it off” which is why I needed a vacation in the first place. Looking back, I realize now that part of the reason I was ok with working during vacation was also because I was uncomfortable in my bikini, I felt too weak to kayak, I was too tired to go for a hike. I would rather drink a margarita in the pool where I could hide. I would rather eat unlimited chips and salsa in a chair than ride a bike to explore the area. I would rather take a conference call than play beach volleyball. WHOA!
Fast forward to today.
This past week, I went to Sedona with a wonderful group of ladies. I let my clients know ahead of time that I would not be available. I provided them workouts to do at home while I was away. I scheduled out all of my FB posts so I only checked FB to see what pics the group had posted and to follow the Cubs in the World Series (YAY!). I went with a group of ladies who value a healthy lifestyle as much as I do. I knew we would be hiking daily (double YAY!). I knew I could lean on them for support to make healthy food choices to fuel our body, and they could lean on me to keep them moving just enough without injury. I also knew that these ladies have healthy self images. None of these women are judgmental. None of these women put their needs ahead of someone else’s in the group. Each of these women were caring, committed, and FUN!
We hiked daily. One friend was only able to join us for 24hrs and we packed in 2 hikes during her stay. We went to the gym AND hiked the same day. We explored with the excitement and the thrill of children seeing some of the most beautiful scenery for the first time. I was in awe of how well Mother Nature decorates Earth. The little piece of heaven we hiked through, took photos of, and felt the magic energy from is a place that I look forward to returning. With everyone in a happy place mentally and physically, four women got along just fine. There was no stress of where we needed to be, where we were going, if someone was prettier-stronger-skinnier-younger. We all wanted to see each other succeed and create memories that would last a lifetime! So much so we’ve already started making plans for our next trip.
(We all realized we were smiling when our photo was being taken and started laughing hysterically since no one could see our faces!)
When you think of your next vacation, what are you looking forward to? A wise woman once told me that if I am always ready for the beach, I don’t ever have to get ready. How brilliant is that????
Would you like to start living a lifestyle where you are confident, are strong, or where you are able to leave the stress behind you as you vacation or even just day to day? I’m here to help! My Body Revive program is put together to help you experience how strong your body is and can be, how you DO have self-control, and I have built an amazing group of supportive clients who lift one another up every day. If this sounds like something you want, send me an email. [email protected]
Let’s Get Moving!
