Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
From One of the The Four Agreements
I am treating myself gently.
While I’m feeling much better, rest and self-care feels like the wisest path back to physical balance.
It wasn’t too long ago that I would have made myself get up and workout anyway.
There’s a fine line between knowing when to push past mental resistance and when to ease up and give your body a needed break.
Here are some tips to help you figure out how to listen to your body and honor its messages.
- How often do you give in? Are you regularly skipping treats and working out most of the time? Or do you scarf down every treat thinking it will be your last one and often blow off moving your body? It gets easier to tell when your body needs a little TLC when you are more consistent in your actions.
- Take out the judgment—yours or anyone else’s. Just observe what’s going on with you. Skipping an occasional workout because it feels like what you need in the moment doesn’t mean you’re a slacker. When you take out the self-criticism, you can tell if there is a pattern of negative thought that needs to be shifted, or if this a positive step of self-care.
- Listen to your body. How is your overall energy level? If taking a shower is exhausting, your body is screaming for rest. If you feel cruddy, but still have energy to get everything done, a gentle workout may actually help boost your immune system.
- Regularly meditate. When you practice quieting your mind, the messages of your body become clearer. The key is to listen to them, and not ignore them like I did.
You are the only one who truly knows what is best for you. Learning to listen to yourself and trust your judgment takes practice, but is an important part of loving your way slim.
Together we can do it!
Goss Coaching 
Such a valuable lesson and one that’s often difficult to learn. I have become much more in tune with my body’s needs following brain surgery in January 2011 for Chiari I Malformation. For several years and especially the months leading up to the surgery I had ignored my symptoms…attempting to push through them. Since that time I have become much better at listening to the signals that my body is giving me…rest…push…rest…rest…
Thanks for this post. I’m really enjoying your blog!
Jane
Love your amazing example! Congratulations on coming through brain surgery and using that as a tool to listen to your body. Much appreciation for you and your sharing your experience! And for reading! Thank you!
One of the hardest “things” to do in life is to mind your body and rest. Lovely message. 🙂
Thanks so much! So appreciate you!
Another wonderful post, with perfect timing for my life (I love how that happens! 🙂 ) Thank you so very much for this beautifully written and gentle reminder to love myself, now. Always. And your tips are always helpful, like this wise statement: “It gets easier to tell when your body needs a little TLC when you are more consistent in your actions.”
Hugs to you! xo ~Gina
Thank you so much, Gina! I can’t tell you how meaningful it is to me to hear that a post was perfect timing and helpful! So appreciate you! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Hanna. Another great post. I have difficulty slowing down at times. I am a multitasking girl and sometimes I forget to ‘rest more’ and admit to myself that it is ‘okay to rest’. Love your tips. Renee 🙂
Thanks, Renee! So appreciate you and your comments.
You are so welcome Hanna. 🙂
Hi Hannah,
Loved the 4 agreements. The most vauable take-away from these is No. 2. Too much time gets spent on brooding on what the other guy said and did, how it has “effected” us. We tend to forget that it always remains our choice to allow all this to do so. As we shift our perspective to the understanding that all that is being said and done is really about the othere guy, his insecurities and compulsions, and nothing to do with us, we gain freedom from these dis-empowering thoughts and beliefs.
Cheers and God bless.
Shakti
Absolutely. Thanks, Shakti!
Love this! Written in gold sand:)
Thanks so much, Brook! Appreciate you!