When I first started out as a personal trainer six years ago, I always had the hardest time convincing my clients that it was okay to leave your kids for an hour to workout or that it was okay to let the laundry go for a night to go for a run. I didn’t get it. Now I do. Parents have this guilt when it comes to actually doing something for themselves. We put all of our responsibilities first while forgetting that our number one responsibility is to ourselves.

That responsibility isn’t just for parents either. We as a society have gotten so wrapped up in “doing” and “going” all the time that we often forget to stop and breathe. We focus on school or work so much that our own physical and mental health suffers from it. I’m telling you it’s okay to be selfish for the sake of loving yourself first.

It isn’t vain to want to be healthy. It’s actually the total opposite of vanity in my opinion. If we struggle to love ourselves, how can teach our children and friends to practice confidence and strength? If you don’t believe it then, there’s no conviction in your own words.

It’s my job to help people transform their bodies and become stronger versions of themselves. Sure, I feel proud when they hit their personal best on a squat or deadlift but nothing beats the internal transformations that come along with it.

Although not scientific, I have seen a strong correlation between accomplishments at the gym and accomplishments in the home, work, and school for my clients.

I truly believe that when you truly believe in yourself, you can change the world. In order to believe in yourself, you have to learn to love yourself first. Of course,  working out and doing yoga aren’t the only ways to practice self-care but I can say that it works.

Practicing self-love is not selfish. Don’t believe me? Here’s a challenge. Take some time this week and do something for yourself at the gym or wherever. Then be aware of how you feel afterward. Learn to love yourself first so that you can better shine your light and confidence to those around you.

Namaste.

 

Viviane Vallance is a personal trainer, health coach and yoga instructor working in Lawrence County.