If you’re anything like us Swell-Women (and we think you are), then you love and value your body. You put a fair bit of thought into what foods and liquids make their way into your stomach; what products you place on your precious skin and in your shining (albeit a little weathered) hair. Like us, you generally live a healthy life, and overall, you’re doing pretty damn good. Well done, we’re proud of you!
We’re proud of ourselves too. I, for one, wake early and engage in fifteen minutes of slow and mindful yoga. I usually follow it up with a short meditation, or sit and ponder the things that I am grateful for. It makes me fist pump the morning cos I feel so good about who I am. It’s nice. I go on to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and I love a good lemon ginger or hibiscus kombucha. My all time favourite thing to make is an Acai Bowl. I blend it with frozen banana and mango, and arrange a delightful assortment of fresh fruit and shredded coconut on top. I even sprinkle little goji berries over the whole thing that turn into frozen candies when I stir them into the blended purple mix. They cost sixteen dollars at Whole Foods, that’s how dedicated I am. (Fist pump, I’m killing it!) I do my best to limit my alcohol consumption and refined or processed foods. I love the outdoors and exercise daily. Yep, I’m healthy. All is well.
Time to get it back in gear
The Dilemma
And then November arrives. The weather gets colder and I find myself layering up into comfy garments and suddenly a warm breakfast burrito fills that space where the Acai Bowl used to sit. There’s a hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte in lieu of that kombucha, and leftover halloween candy fills the centre console in my vehicle. There’s an extra-cushy layer growing itself around my belly and it feels soooooo good. As Thanksgiving looms near I make a pact. I will not let Aunt Peggy refill my wine glass till all three bottles of that Napa red she loves are empty. And if anyone (and I mean anyone) puts marshmallows on those sweet potatoes again then I will NOT engage. In fact, I’ll stay away from the stuffing, the gravy and the pumpkin pie as well. And this year, I promise, I will not go back for thirds.
Sound familiar? You know how it is. Thanksgiving comes and goes and the marshmallows go down like water in the desert. You laugh as Aunt Peggy opens another bottle of Napa red and you cant remember if that plate next to the chair you slump over is thirds or fourths. You hold your belly like you’re growing a precious first born child. You waddle to the bathroom and moan a little as you sit. We get it. We know. We forgive you.
Christmas arrives in the blink of an eye and even though you swore you’d do better, that third’s plate rests gently at your side while your left hand rubs your second trimester belly. You smile a little. You’ve embraced it now. Your right hand holds a bowl of apple pie and fresh whipped cream. It will all be over soon, you muse. There’s a distant thought of how you’ll ever slip into that little black new-years dress now. Oh God, New Years. You promise yourself, only one glass of champagne. Maybe two.
And that’s pretty much how it happens. Every year.
Who doesn’t want to cleanse here?
Get 2017 Off on the Right Foot
So no, it’s not an accident that we Swell-Women planned a New Year, New You Retreat in Anguilla right after the holidays. We know what you need. We know because we need it too! Only we have the added benefit of being able to plan whatever we want, whenever we want, cos we make the SwellWomen schedule!!! So yes, we must confess, we’re using you (a little) to get our 2017 off on the right foot. We’re hoping you’ll click on over to our website and sign up right now, because after all, what is retreat with no guests? So pretty pretty please sign up (I swore I wouldn’t beg but things are getting desperate) so we can use you guys to Detox from all the sugar, booze and shame that is accumulating as we speak. You might not feel it yet, but trust me, by New Years you’ll be begging us to let you skip the waitlist and come.
Seriously, it’s not really all about us, we promise we’ll let you drink the smoothies and fresh squeezed juices too. And we’ll lead epic yoga classes and give you mind blowing massage and whenever you want to you can run down onto that white sand beach and throw your whole body into the warm turquoise water. It will wash your holiday sins away. Our private chef will make you any delicious and nourishing meal you want, and our 5-star luxury villas are sure to nourish your mildly depleted soul. Come join us in paradise! Together we will turn those pasty-white (and slightly rounded bellies) into a gorgeous golden brown.
Convinced? Book your NEW YEAR, NEW YOU retreat HERE and get started down the path of holiday recovery
Want to know more about SwellWomen’s transformation life coach and what that entails? Say no more! SPOTLIGHT: GINA LARKIN
Watch Ani Villas short video to get a feel for Anguilla and join us in paradise: https://vimeo.com/173251766
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