I am feeling very proud of myself this morning...it is day three of the new healthy Kate and I am actually succeeding! It might not sound very grand, three consecutive days of healthy eating and exercise, but for me it is a massive achievement. I have resisted the temptation of chocolate, soft drinks and camembert cheese, which are all things I would have previously stuffed in my gob without a second thought. Instead, I am now actually thinking about the impact of my lifestyle rather than doing what feels good and what is easy. I had a communication with spirit a few months ago where I was advised that “my body is the vessel through which I am to achieve everything I was put on this Earth to do; I therefore need to look after it”. At the time I thought to myself “oh yes, that is very insightful” but it wasn’t until a few days ago that it actually clicked with me. It really is true. I have so much I want to do with my life and if I continue to neglect myself the way I have been, there is no way I will be fit and healthy in both mind and body to do the things I want to do. So now, when temptation presents itself, or when I would rather stay in bed at 4:30am than go to the gym, I think of the bigger picture and it gets me through. Here are a few things I am doing daily to nurture myself (something us mothers rarely do)...

• I am making healthy food choices and fuelling my body with healthy food. I am not on a diet, not restricting myself, simply making smart food choices. Rocket science, hey?!? Lol J
• I am beginning every day at 4:30am by going to the gym. I am not on a health kick, I am not having to “fit in” a workout every day, rather I have decided that this is just how my day begins and is as much a part of the daily routine as showering and brushing my teeth.
• I am playing relaxation music to begin the day. While the kids and I are at breakfast we have the relaxation music playing and it is a really lovely, calm transition into the hustle and bustle of the day. Although, Sophie asked me yesterday “Mum, what is that squeaky sound and that soft sound?” so perhaps it is only relaxing for me...either way it will benefit the kids!
• The TV is rarely turned on and it is remarkable the difference this is making. It was never a huge part of my day but even half an hour of TV for Soph in the morning would turn her feral. I highly recommend trying this one, go TV free for a week...you won’t know yourself!  
• I am being present. I cannot believe how much of a difference this little trick is making. While I am typing this mornings blog, I have had Sophie, Elliott and the dog, Toby, all jump in my lap and demand my attention...at the same time! Previously, I likely would have cracked it, thrown the dog outside (he’s a border collie so not exactly a lap dog!), and sent the kids away so I could get things done. But today, I chose to be present and it made all of us feel better for it. Mind you, it is taking me over an hour to write this entry with all the interruptions but I am being cool calm and collected about it J

I hope you too are engaging in a few of the above activities and if not, give it a go. Looking after ourselves is so unbelievably important not only for our personal wellbeing but that of our family too. We always say we are too busy and that there is no time to look after ourselves but I can say with conviction, as a former busy stress head too, that you absolutely can carve out some “me time” in a day, it’s just a matter of having the right motivation to do so.