Cinnamon Rolls and Champagne

As we enter into the holiday season, temptations are around every corner. There are temptations for foods that we love and drinks that we can’t resist. There are temptations for things we don’t need but somehow try to justify buying. And with the cold dark mornings, there is always the temptation to stay in bed until the very last minute. And this holiday season, let’s take some of the self control out of those temptations. How about we just say yes. We can say yes to the cinnamon roll with extra frosting, the champagne, even when its bottomless mimosas. We can say yes to the too expensive yoga pants. And maybe even yes to playing hooky and staying in bed to watch Hallmark movies.

You can say yes because you’ve earned it. Most of us spend way too much time thinking about what we could have done instead of thinking about what we did do. So this post goes out to all my athletes. Because I saw you!!! I saw you when you partnered up with someone who needed it. I saw you when you handed out a high five to someone who barely made it through the workout. I saw you when you pushed the person next to you a little harder. And I saw the way that you joked and laughed. My athletes overwhelmed me this year. They went above and beyond almost every single day. The community these athletes have built is a place I want to be. The smiles, the jokes, the high fives. Those made the good days great. The pat on the back, the “what can I do to help,” the talks up to the car. Those made the bad days a lot better. Those are only a few examples of why you deserve to do something special for yourself.

So this holiday season, embrace what is right. Embrace all the good that you do and all the good that you bring to other people. Because you did great this year. You may not have accomplished all your New Years Resolutions, you may not have lost the five pounds or got the PR in the deadlift. But the things you did surpassed all of those. Don’t spend this time, this season, wishing you were someone else because the person you are makes others feel special. Don’t spend this time wishing you fit into those pants because the beauty you carry isn’t a size on the inside of your jeans, it’s the size of your heart. And yes, this post might be a little sappy, it might seem kind of out of character to my sarcasm and banter. But as I reflect on all the little moments I saw, those moments carried people when they needed it most.

This holiday season, as the days get packed with obligations and the stress kicks into over drive. Give yourself a deep breath, a hug and hold with you the person that you are. You are someone to admire and look up to. You are someone that went the extra mile without even realizing it. But again, I saw those moments and you put yourself out there, asking for nothing in return. So as the season starts to overwhelm you, the holiday parties or the kids recitals, enjoy it. Some days the stress will get to you and some days the season won’t feel so jolly and warm. But remind yourself of all the times you showed up. You showed up and worked hard. There were days that I know you didn’t want to get out of bed, maybe you got in a fight with your spouse, or your friend. Maybe your kids were driving you crazy (never mind those are the times you show up early and stay late). You came in on those days, even when a cup of coffee and a hug sounded way better than rap music and burpees.

This holiday season doesn’t need to be filled with over indulgences, but I say FUCK IT. Have yourself something delicious and enjoy every bite. Buy yourself something awesome and wear it with pride. Have a spa day or better yet, a girls weekend and laugh until you pee your pants. Life is worth living and everyday I get to see people put their best selves first. I get to see people shine from the inside out and by the end of the work out they are usually shining from the outside in. You are amazing and I am lucky to have the opportunity to see all of these moments. These moments didn’t go unnoticed, I saw you. Give yourself a break this season, because you earned it, you deserve it. What I really want to say is thank you, thank you for being you. Because you are someone to look up to, and you bring the studio closer together. Enjoy this season and jump into the new decade proud and happy about the person you are. Also, if you don’t eat the cinnamon rolls, I will.