“Sam” very much loves to help people and is a natural caretaker but is sometimes trying so hard to help everyone else be comfortable, or succeed, or not be stressed, that “me” gets ignored.  Loving to help people has a price – mainly working 60+ hours a week to “get everything done”.  Like so many people, “Sam” needs to learn to say “no”.

“Sam” wants to learn and do more aerobic exercise.  Due to often being tired at the end of the day, “Sam” doesn’t fix healthy meals and often either doesn’t eat at all or eats unhealthy food.  “Sam” is ready to learn some tools to help me take better care of him/herself in the areas of exercise, diet and learning that it’s okay to say no sometimes.

Luckily, “Sam” is ready to start with a clean slate and is ready to be open and learn from the team that has been assembled.  “Sam” wants to get healthier by learning to eat foods and/or take supplements that will help to feel better, lower cholesterol, lose weight and have more energy.  “Sam” states that “by feeling better, I’ll be able to say no when I need to say no and say yes to myself when I need to say yes.” 

What challenges do you face in reaching your goals?

  The main challenge will be to overcome some very old unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms.  When I’m tired, it’s sometimes just easier for me to keep going and do those extra things that need to be done or work those extra hours, even at the expense of my own well-being.  I think that by learning healthier habits in the areas of nutrition and exercise, I’ll have more energy and be able to make better decisions about my own self-care.  Another challenge, as I grow into this new state of health that I’m anticipating, is knowing that I will need to stay vigilant against listening to other people’s expectations (as well as my own) of my time and how it “should” be used.

I am very motivated to make and reach some goals right now.  A few days before this healthy lifestyle opportunity presented itself, I had told myself that I had to do something or I was not going to be around to see my children marry, play with my grandchildren or enjoy eventual retirement with my spouse (I think the Universe was listening…because here’s this great opportunity!)  I currently consider myself to be “healthy”, but I know that if I don’t stop the unhealthy eating habits, the lack of real exercise and the 60 hour work weeks, I will not stay in good health.  

What value does this award and opportunity have for you?

  I want to feel better.  I want to have more fun because I’m not tired and not working so much.  I want to live and model the values and goals set forth by this health-related university.  I feel so incredibly lucky to be part of a community of such dedicated healers and teachers.  Now I want to really listen and learn from them.