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Put Your Oxygen Mask On First

Rommy Kirby — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 20:18:06 +0000

In today’s busy, hectic world, it’s a challenge to take care of ourselves.

Generally, the minute we wake up we don’t give our body, our health, and it’s needs, a second thought.

Seriously, what was your first thought this morning? I’ll bet it went something like this…

‘uh-oh, I hit snooze one to many times, I have got to stop that, why did I do that, I’m going to be late, I hate being late, at least I’m not the only one, Sherry is always late, crud, it’s raining out, gotta leave a little earlier, oh no, I totally forgot that I’m supposed to…, now I have make another stop, I’ll grab something in the drive through on my way, I wish I felt better, did I even sleep last night, I have got to start taking better care of myself, no time for that today, let’s see….maybe next week, where are my keys, oh for crying out loud”

Does that sound like your inner monologue?

If so, how does that make you feel?

When my monologue gets that panicked, I feel

POWERLESS and OUT OF CONTROL.

And then, I get RESENTFUL.

I resent everything I’ve said “yes” to.

Oh, and then, I resent everyone I’ve said ‘yes’ to.

AND then I feel GUILTY!

There is only one way to fix this, so get ready, you’re probably going to bristle against it like I sometimes do.

“Put YOUR oxygen mask on first.”

The one and only way that you will be able to handle everything that goes on in your life, your health, your relationships, and even your career is to take care of your physical health needs first.

Make your physical a priority so that you can enjoy doing everything you really want to do, take care of the people that mean the most to you, and be your radiant best.

Prioritize

Do you remember when Franklin Covey became a household word back in the ’80’s?

One of the tools and skills taught in this efficient organizational system is to prioritize action items.

It’s the same with your health, you have to prioritize the actions that will support your health first.

Number 1 – Rest to nourish.

Sleep is the number one method, but so is prioritizing quiet time. Yep, give your ears at least 5 minutes of quiet during your waking hours. Hearing is the one sense we cannot turn off.

Give your eyes a tech break. Our eyes feed us with such beautiful information, but they also need daily stillness.

Check out my 7 Super Self Care tips here.

Number 2 – Hydrate for optimal decision making.

Those thoughts are electrical impulses. Water is a fabulous conductor for electricity.

Check out my Smart Person’s Guide to Water here.

Number 3 – Eat to improve your energy.

This is where is can get sticky. Planning your weekly meals can seem like drudgery, but if you don’t plan it, you will end up eating that frozen pizza, picking up take out, or even worse, hitting vending machine or drive through.

Pull together a few healthy meals that are easy for you prepare and that you like to eat and rotate them through your week or month.

It really doesn’t take anymore time to prepare a chicken breast, roasted veggies and side of greens that it does to order it, go get it and bring it home.

The time is the same, the benefits are not.

Here’s an Ayurvedic Digestive that will jump start your digestion and metabolism.

Number 4 – Move appropriately for your energy level.

Going to the gym after a grueling day, burning up your reserve energy will only make you fat, grumpy, age faster, and then you’ll want that second, third and forth glass of wine.

Seriously, have you ever wondered why your friend the marathon runner has a belly and a rather large pair of saddle bags even though she only eats salads and runs about 12-24 miles a week? It’s because what she is doing is the opposite of what her body needs, so it isn’t really healthy at all.

This simple 7 minute yoga practice will change your life.

Number 5 – Stop saying Yes!!!

This is a toughie, I know. I want to say yes whenever possible. In fact, there are times that I say yes, when know for sure that following through will mean that I have to put something else on the back burner to simmer, hoping it doesn’t burn, over cook or get forgotten.

Begin to use the popular 1980’s slogan…

Saying no to things that make no sense for you, actually frees you up to say YES to the things that light you up. You will have more fun, you life will be more exciting to you and your radiance will be seen and felt by everyone around you.

When you begin to make your physical health a priority,

you will experience greater satisfaction in all areas of your life.

Go ahead, try it, I triple dog dare you!

Tell me…

What is the hardest part of taking care of yourself? Then give me one easy step you can take to make it easier.

The post Put Your Oxygen Mask On First first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

EEW…what is THAT on my leg?

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 18:43:45 +0000

It has been a really long first six months of the year.

Recently, hubby and I got away to the beach for some needed alone time. It was so nice to sit on the beach and enjoy the sun, sand and surf.

But one day, as I was walking back from the beach for a break I felt something clammy and wet on the back of my leg.

photo credit Jack Hackson via National Geographic

As I walked, I tried my best to gracefully wipe it away. It was right at the top of the leg, so you can imagine my concern about being rude in public. After two unsuccessful attempts, I decided I would retain my dignity, and walk the remaining 150 feet until I could investigate in private.

You see, as much as I love the ocean, the beach and the water, I’m still fearful of what may be lurking beneath the surface.

My mind began racing with thoughts that some wet sea creature had been attracted to the color of my swimsuit and attached itself to me, you know like a leach or something.

Then I noticed I felt the same thing at the top of the other leg as well. Eew, what is that, I kind of wanted to throw up because of the thoughts in my head, I imagined sea slugs, sea cucumbers (video below, they exist!) and sea leaches!!!

As soon as I got onto the enclosed porch I whipped off my cover up and turned around to look at my reflection in the glass door. YIKES!!!

There was no sea cucumber type thing sticking to me. YAY!

Instead, my butt was sitting, actually sagging and drooping, right there at the top of my legs!

How did that happen? Really I know, but here are my excuses, maybe you can relate…

You see in February my travel schedule got outrageously busy. At the beginning, I was on top of my food, my sleep and my self-care, but…well, you know, I’m human and I started to slip.

Tortilla chips became my go to meal, my yoga practice slacked off, fresh produce rotted in my fridge and sleep, well, I just wasn’t getting enough.

Then to top it off my hubby had a true health crisis. He nearly died. And during his recovery, one of his friends sent him a case of Graeter’s Ice Cream!!! Yes, I ate it, AND I ate it from the tub…sigh. So, I could blame Stuart for it, but I wont, he’s a really great friend and one of the nicest guys.

FYI – Ice cream is a comfort food for me, my grand mother always had it and it just makes me feel safe, like when I lived with her when my dad was in Thailand. You probably have a comfort food as well.

All of this made my stress levels rise.

You see, stress creates, gives birth to and enjoys the company of FAT. They are great pals and when you see one, the other one is really close by.

It’s the body’s way of taking over and dealing with stressful situations we can’t or won’t process. It goes back to the deepest part of our brain that is in charge of survival. Once upon a time everything was about survival, and fat is one way the body protects against famine or disease.

And you know where your body stores stress fat…in the belly area of all places. For my body type, the butt, hips and thighs. Now, that makes bathing suit season even more stressful. Oh, but wait, that’s not all, I looked down and saw something I hadn’t seen in a while, my very own muffin top.

The good news is that some strange ocean creature didn’t attach itself to me like I thought. AND my bathing suit didn’t shrink after all. I actually grew and now I’m ‘fluffy’.

The other truly powerful good news is that the body never, never ever lies.

It always reveals what we experience, and have or have not done. I’ve learned that watching for changes in your body, your energy level, skin, and face is a great way gaining information about your health.

Well, this one thing I know is that if you want something different, you’ve got to do something different.

Now, I’m taking more time to prepare healthy meals and snacks.

I’m enjoying the fresh produce from my CSA, rotting produce will no longer be happening at the Kirby Kastle.

I started an new 90 Day Fitness and Nutrition Challenge called TERRAfit! Join me on the next round.

…annnnnd for an added boost I’m even going to do another ‘slim and sassy’ wrap or two before I head to the beach with the family. I’ve done them in the past, and got some good results. They are different for the other wraps out there because they are non toxic and actually support the body to release rather than forcing the body. (instructions coming soon)

Tell me…

What is your comfort food? Do you know why?

WOW! the Sea Cucumber is just one big digestion organ!

Links and resources

Lose Weight Naturally

44 You Need to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep Well, Wake Refreshed

Join My TERRAFit Life

The post EEW…what is THAT on my leg? first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.