Lying on the floor in a world of pain is the perfect time for my kids to jump on me!

Alana the human trampoline and her daughter Sophie. Alana's first half-marathon after a 2 year hiatus.

It's probably hard to believe, but I haven't found the time to look after myself. Yes, I work in allied health. Yes, I have amazing practitioners at my finger tips. But i'm busy. Doing work and family stuff. That never, ever ends. It's relentless. Can you relate?

See, I am what they call a "stiffy" hahaha, I know very funny (remove mind from gutter now). But seriously, I am genetically a stiff person. What I get in strength gains I lose in flexibility. I have the ability to get really strong relatively quickly (woo hoo) BUT I am so stiff and tight I really, really struggle. Honestly, it hurts me to stretch. I don't particularly like doing it because, well, it hurts!

But I will do the token standing stretch, foam roll or downward dog after a training session. And in my mind (not a reliable source) i've ticked the never ending to-do list! Winning!

And I did feel like I was winning, for a little while. Until I found myself lying on the floor, in a world of pain with the kids jumping on me. I could not move because I have 'angry discs' in my back. Something that I have known, treated and improved. But it's back. With a vengeance. At the most inappropriate time (Seriously, this was in the last 48 hours!).

It was a nightmare. What is it with children when a parent lies on the ground? All of a sudden you become a trampoline and it's a game of 'stacks on mum.' They were having a great time. I was using every ounce of my personal power not to turn into a demon and send them to their room. 

So, in a world of pain and lying on the floor I needed to take a good hard look at myself. How did this happen to me? What have I done? What do I need to do better? Is this what our patients are going through? 

This sucks. A lot! At that time it also reinforced how important what we are doing as a business is. Yes! I said to myself. Yes! We need to keep helping people 'be free to move to do the things they love!' Because the alternative is rubbish.

So, eating some humble pie I booked myself in for a massage and chiro treatment. It is in my work hours because that is the time I have available. I have made appointments for the next 3 weeks and I have my exercise/rehab plan. 

I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't listen to the warning signs. That I kept putting off my treatment but it is what I needed to go through (and no doubt it may happen again) to take inventory of my life. Progress not perfection.

As we are all on this roller coaster called life we will move through ebbs and flows and everything in-between. We can't take away all the challenges but we can help in one specific area. It's pretty important actually. We can help you 'be free to move to do the things you love.'

You just need to make the time.

Alana Bowles
Co-founder of Health Associates
Founder of Bodilove
Full time mum living a crazy life that she loves. 
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