I’ve come to a realization and I feel the need to be really honest and open about it.
I spend my days connecting with thousands of people all over the globe, sharing the message of health–vibrant health–through focused actions and nourishing choices.
And for the most part, I totally live all that I teach.
Because I overcame debilitating fatigue in my 20’s through whole fresh plant foods, exercise and focused self 
care, I’ve dedicated my life to teaching others to do the same.
Lately, I have been falling short on my commitment to self care and I feel I need to own up to it and reaffirm my dedication to my own self care in order to best guide you as you work on your own.
I’ve always been a night owl, but over the past 3 months it has become worse. While I recognize the need for sleep for rejuvenation and detoxification, I just can’t seem to get myself to follow through.
I have several projects that are near an dear to my heart and I’ve been staying up into the wee hours more than I should.
The universe has been giving me subtle signals (and some not so subtle signals). I wrote a blog post about it a few weeks ago, right after I took a nasty fall and hurt my elbow. The message I was getting loud and clear was to slow down. And I did–for a couple of days.
When you’re really healthy and get a couple of extended sleep nights it’s enough to make you feel like you can conquer the world again…so I started back on the late nights a few days after the injury. I know better than anyone the importance of sleep for recovering from injury, yet I continued to push myself.
The universe has been talking to me again and the message is the same. Only this time it wasn’t so subtle. Twice in the past 2 weeks, I got a wave of exhaustion at 3PM on Friday afternoon. It was so powerful that I did something completely out of character…I took a nap. I haven’t felt exhausted like that in many years.
This morning during my exercise session, I re-injured my arm. In fact I completely dislocated it. Fortunately, I was able to re-locate it myself, but it’s talking to me now. It’s saying “slow down”.
I’ve had some administrative challenges over the past few weeks, which I believe may be on the way to resolution, and as a result, I got behind on answering emails, creating some bonus materials for my Balance My Body Blueprint program, and completing a few e-books. In spite of all of that, however, I am committed to lights out before midnight for the rest of the week.
That may not seem like much for some, but for me, it’s big. Once I get the hang of it, maybe I will push it back to 11pm.
The world is on the verge of a whole new paradigm in health care, and we are the leaders. We need to teach by example and that’s just what I intend to improve at doing.
I believe that it’s important to keep commitments, and I also feel it’s important to make realistic commitments. I believe some of my commitments have been realistic only if I am willing to work 16 hour days, so my new commitment is to be realistic and keep in mind the importance of balance whenever I make commitments.
One other commitment I am re-affirming—having fun everyday. When I was leading my Jumpstart Your 
Energy class back in October, we did daily goals on the forum, and each of us told what we planned to do for fun. By publicly declaring it, I made time for fun everyday.
I decided to re-awaken that ritual. The plan is a blog post every day, in which I declare my bedtime from the night before, and my health goals for the day, including the fun activity I choose each day.
Would you like to join me? All you need to do is subscribe to the blog so you get notified when I post a new entry, and comment each day with your commitments. I commit to doing this for 30 days. Who’s in? It’s absolutely FREE.
I’ll probably come up with some sort of contest as we go along, so don’t miss a single day…register and make your comment for Day 1 here. I’m calling it the 30 Day Sleep and Fun Challenge.
Dr. Ritamarie’s commitments for Tuesday, March 2:
- Lights out by midnight
- Exercise 30 minutes or longer
- Drink at least 2 quarts of green smoothie
What are you committing to? Comment below.
Wishing you Love, Health and Joy,
Dr. Ritamarie
P. S. And speaking of FUN, there’s still time to sign up for the teleseminar I’m doing with Nomi Shannon, author of the Raw Gourmet. It’s going to be so much fun. But don’t take my word for it. Read all about it here:
https://drritamarie.com/wp-clone/DeliciouslyQuickRawFood-SignUp.php
Join Nomi Shannon, the Raw Gourmet and I for Deliciously Quick Raw Food ~ Tips from the Raw Gourmet ~ on Tuesday March 2 at 7:30 PM Central time as we demystify raw foods meal planning and preparation, tell you how to make a couple of quick and delicious snacks to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds, answer your most pressing questions and offer you a rawking good time as well.
Here’s the link to sign up.
https://drritamarie.com/wp-clone/DeliciouslyQuickRawFood-SignUp.php
We’ll record the call, so if you can’t make it live, sign up anyway and we’ll send you the recording.
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Hi Ritamarie,
Yes, we’re in this together!!
I commit to continue my green cleanse (since y’day) till Fri.
I will have fun w/ my husband – leaving now for a walk along the beach
Sleeping before midnight
Good for You!!!! And I am right there with you. I am sorry to hear the universe had too give you a not so subtle nudge but at least you are listening. I too have always been a night owl and have been trying to get to bed by midnight with random success. In fact, the other night you caught me and encouraged me to pack it in for the night. I owe a client a document by tomorrow (I’m west coast and he’s east coast) so here I am but it’s almost complete.
So I’m on board starting now! I’m sending the promised document to the client and off to bed. Thank you for everything you do! And for recognizing that you are important too! You certainly let us know we are important to you everyday.
Be well,
Deborah
This is exactly the post I needed. I too over commit with unrealistic expectations…of myself.
I strongly believe in honoring your commitments and it’s hard to do when you aren’t being true to yourself.
Today I commit to:
1. Making sure all my deadlines are realistic
2. Drinking at least 64 oz of green smoothie
3. Getting off the computer by 6pm to have family time.
Great Challenge…looking forward to the rest of the month.
Today I commit to:
1. Drinking at least 64 oz of water today.
2. Cleaning off my dining room table.
3. Exercising at least 30 minutes today.
I guess I need to follow through with this now that I have my list. 🙂
Have a great day!
Yay! I’ve been making progress, but this is very inspiring to have a forum on which to commit!
Today I commit to:
1. Sticking to raw for breakfast.
2. Walking 1 1/2 miles.
3. Turning off computer by 7PM
4. In bed by 9:30 lights, off 10PM.
5. For fun: drawing for 1/2 hour.
Love and success to all!
Hi, today I commit to:
1-Sleep by 9 pm!
2-Drink 2,5 L of water
3-Go for a walk with my two baby girls and enjoy their smiles and the sun!
I’m game, I’m plugging in.
Thanks for sharing and reminding me that this gig is a ONE day, ONE moment, deal.
No need to phreak out over the future and lament the yesterdays.
I’m going to keep it simple.
1. Walk 15 min
2. Eat a salad today
3. Plug into faith and my community/go to the
Rise event I scheduled
4. Write my affirmations
That’s it!
Thanks for reminding me I’m an important ONE of many and that we are all doing the best we can at any given moment.
Love,
Niki
I love this idea. I, too, have a hard time committing to myself, but am easily motivated when confronted by others. My commitment today:
1. Work out for 30 minutes
2. Clean out my sink before bed
3. Hug each one of my kids and tell them how much I love them. Sometimes we assume they know, but I need to express it everyday!
Hi Ritamarie,
I’m so glad you made this blog.
Today I am going to:
Drink water every hour
Make a green juice this morning
Ride my bike twice for 10 minutes
Listen to a self help cd that’s been on my list…
Have a super day! And a dreamy night!
Love,
Sarah
This is what I need…make a committment to others! For Lent I promised to eat my meals sitting down (not in front of the computer)….that went out the window this morning (and numerous other times). A daily committment is better…easier to remember:
1. Drink one quart of a green smoothie
2. Drink 48 oz water
3. Take a 20 min walk
4. For fun: send one note to an old friend
5. For bsns: send one note to a client
I’m in!! I needed a challenge to keep me on track, too! I also joined a Fitness Challenge hosted by a local gym and radio station…it goes on all month as well! 🙂
1. I commit to exercising today and pushing myself just past my comfort zone.
2. I commit to reading a chapter of my “just for fun” book that has been collecting dust.
3. I will be in bed by 9:30pm (I get up really early).
What a wonderfully blessed day!!
Thanks for creating this blog! I think it is a great idea!
March 2nd commitment:
1. Stay hydrated.
2. Do yoga, talk a long walk and get some sun.
3. Eat fruits until dinner; eat simple foods and eat light.
4. Live in the present and enjoy my vacation.
Take care of yourself Dr. Ritamarie!
BRAVO!!! In spite of the strong inpiration that motivates you to make us vibrant and your compusion share all your health secrets,
great doctors are still human, and have to say no, from time to time.
We need you whole…
for the long hawl,Dr. Ritamarie.
Great Challenge! I know a few things I really need to get under control myself. So I’m in!
I commit to:
1. Not eating nuts- these do not agree with me and I tend to overeat them and feel ill.
2. Not Over Eating. I will stop when I am full.
3. Wasting less time on the computer and spending more time on MY LIFE!
oh and I forgot to add this:
4. CHEW- I will chew my food! I am going to attempt to put my fork down in between bites and really chew my food.
I’ve committed to sharing what I know with the planet, since sharing itself and helping those in need are so devalued, so vital.
Let’s all teach and learn to Share the World!
go for a run
drink two green smoothies
drink two liters of water
no eating after 7 p.m.
I, too, need someone to commit to in order to actually get it done. Am getting a little shaky just thinking about committing. But, must be strong so I can get started on my new path of getting healthy. Always gonna start after (fill in the blank)!!! So, today I will:
go to bed no later than 10 p.m., lights out no later than 11 p.m., declutter my bedroom for at least 15 minutes, and commit to my commitment. I shall succeed!
Love the challenge! Thanks for sharing yourself and your process with us, Dr. Ritamarie!
I’ve been thinking about this challenge all day today. I accomplished my first commitment, which was to clean out my laundry room. Whew! Three hours well spent!
I also commit to being in bed by 11:00 pm tonight and planning my meals for tomorrow before I go to bed tonight.
Oh, you sound just like me: overdoing it as soon as the energy is there. Well, tonight I will go to bed early (for a change) after a nice bubble bath, it’s been on my list to do for months on end. Today I’ve started on green juices by inventing a delicious one. I’m hooked & will continue. I should take care of exercising but I’ll leave this for tomorrow… Thank you for the motivation!
Thanks, Dr. Ritamarie,
I’m looking forward to this!
For Wednesday, March 3:
1. Exercise 30 minutes or more
2. ‘Waterpick’ before bed
3. Try to laugh and make a different choice when I catch me beating up on myself.
“Fun” for me is taking ‘time to relax’ at this point in my life! Here are the 4 public commitments to myself (that I would otherwise not do:
1. Some stretching.
2. Evening foot bath then lovingly moisturize each foot
3. While soaking massage the tensions away from head & neck
4. Lights out by 11 pm!!!
Lisa again. Actually I do have something I find fun in my life: rocking myself in the hammock that is in the living-room;soooo relaxing…!
I will be good to me learning to dance under the rain when the storm comes
Great idea. I’ve also been pushing myself too hard. I got a very literal reminder this morning when a produce guy at Whole Foods pushed his cart right into ME and jolted my wrist that is healing from a broken bone. Owch! So this is the second warning I’ve had. The universe is pushing back!
My commitments:
1. lights out by 10pm
2. walk at least half an hour
3. sing and play my guitar for fun
4. cut back at least 1 hour on computer time!!!
5. stick to dairy-and-gluten-free diet – I’ve effortlessly melted away 9 lbs. of menopausal fat for the first time in 4 years!
6. and of course keep drinking my green smoothies
I just signed on at 9:30 tonite, and I’m inspired by all the commitments I’ve read.
I commit to being in bed by 12:30 tonite, and asleep by 1 am – and then to gradually improve this.
I also commit to playing piano for 15 min when I get home, and to making a green smoothie.
Okay, did good Monday night with my committment (posted on 3/3/10). Did not post one for yesterday and didn’t do so well last night when got off work–stayed up way too late and wasn’t productive at all. So, today (Thursday 3/4) I commit to:
lights out by 11 p.m.
do at least one item on my “to do list”
I am going to committ to not eating after 8pm, sleep by 10pm and cutting my sugar intake!
SAturday I commit to drinking a smoothie and having fun!
I am going to commit to the daily diet i have planned