Have you ever been on a plane? If so, you probably received some instructions regarding how to behave if an emergency arises and the plane loses pressure. You are supposed to make sure you have your own oxygen mask on before helping another person with theirs. The truth that this reveals is that if you are not taking care of yourself, you will not be able to help others very well.
As a fitness professional, it is tough to listen to person after person tell me when I ask "How did you get out of shape?" tell me it was "when I got pregnant," "after the kids," "taking care of my sick parents," and "it's been years since I took care of me."
But if you have not put forth effort to help yourself, how do you think you are going to be able to have the resources to help someone else? Here are two questions that I often ask people: 1. How are you investing in yourself? and 2. How are you investing in other people? You see, it is hard to invest in others if you have not first invested in you.
Some people think that you cannot work on your own health and dreams if you have children. This is because they think taking care of children supersedes taking care of themselves. However, you cannot give away what you do not possess yourself. Why do you think you can teach your children what you are not practicing?
You are probably aware of the increase in childhood obesity that we are seeing in our culture. This may be due to the fact that so many parents are not only neglecting their own health, but they are modeling that behavior for their children. The problem continues to the next generation.
Sometimes we need to look hard in the mirror and take responsibility for where we are and what we are teaching. If you do nothing today but make the decision to start eating breakfast, get a 25- minute workout in and upgrade your life because you value it and believe your kids should see you at your best--well then we can rest our heads peacefully tonight.
As a fitness professional, it is tough to listen to person after person tell me when I ask "How did you get out of shape?" tell me it was "when I got pregnant," "after the kids," "taking care of my sick parents," and "it's been years since I took care of me."
But if you have not put forth effort to help yourself, how do you think you are going to be able to have the resources to help someone else? Here are two questions that I often ask people: 1. How are you investing in yourself? and 2. How are you investing in other people? You see, it is hard to invest in others if you have not first invested in you.
Some people think that you cannot work on your own health and dreams if you have children. This is because they think taking care of children supersedes taking care of themselves. However, you cannot give away what you do not possess yourself. Why do you think you can teach your children what you are not practicing?
You are probably aware of the increase in childhood obesity that we are seeing in our culture. This may be due to the fact that so many parents are not only neglecting their own health, but they are modeling that behavior for their children. The problem continues to the next generation.
Sometimes we need to look hard in the mirror and take responsibility for where we are and what we are teaching. If you do nothing today but make the decision to start eating breakfast, get a 25- minute workout in and upgrade your life because you value it and believe your kids should see you at your best--well then we can rest our heads peacefully tonight.
About the Author:
Have you been neglecting your own health and fitness? Vito La Fata is a fitness expert who can help you reach your fitness goals. Contact Fitness Evolution for more tips on personal fitness.
No comments:
Post a Comment