The way I see it, if you don't take care of yourself, how can you possibly take care of the people you love?

Status Update on 1/24/10

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I've always been a pretty active and fairly healthy person. All started when I was 7 years old, when my mom decided to put me in gymnastics. Which switched to ice skating, which switched to dancing. Dancing stuck. So I truly thank my mom for putting me in different activities. I know she only did it so that I would have something to do after school. But I don't think she realized that because she put me in so many different activities, now as an adult, I want to lead a healthy and active life.

I know as a working mom and wife, it can get difficult to make exercise and eating right a priority. Who has time to exercise when you have a house to clean, kids to drive places, meals to cook... and don't let me get started on meals. Seriously??, a delicious AND healthy meal... yeah right... maybe if I had a personal Chef!!!

But then perspective hits me... I have a family I need to take care of... I have friends who love me...If I were gone, who'd take my place in their lives? I understand that we don't have control over what fate has in store for us. However, if there is anything I can do to help me stay just a little bit longer on this earth to watch my sons grow up into men... then I'll do it.

That's exactly why I make taking care of myself a priority. And I don't mean selfish shit like buying myself new clothes or shoes.. but I mean taking care of my body, my soul, my overall well-being. I truly believe that when you take care of these things first, your overall attitude and the way you deal with people automatically changes... am I right? Think about it... after eating a cheeseburger with fries and a soda, don't you feel like crap afterwards? You feel sluggish, bloated and sleepy. Yes, a value meal is easy, cheap, and convenient... but is it worth it? Seriously, how am I supposed to keep up with my two boys when I'm too bloated to get up and chase after them. Or if I'm sluggish, how can I roll around and play with them.. and how can I possibly teach them right from wrong if I'm too sleepy to even think straight? And of course, if I'm eating this stuff, that means my kids are eating this stuff too... and if I feel like crap afterwards, imagine how their little bodies feel afterwards.

"I just don't have the time, I don't have the energy, Who'll watch the kids?"... ALL CRAPPY EXCUSES!!!! I'm sorry, but I want to be around and alert and present while I'm raising my kids and taking care of my husband. I MAKE IT A POINT to do things like exercise at least 30 minutes a day, throw in some veggies with my meal, take some time to meditate. Because by doing these things for myself, I am a much better mother, wife, and friend. And if I can do it, you sure as hell can do it too!

I really can't stand when people, especially women, use family as an excuse to not take care of themselves and to let themselves go. Women used to make it a priority to take care of themselves before they had a family... why stop once you had your family? Isn't that when it's the most important? Think about it. I get asked all the time, "What's your secret?" Secret? Really?

Okay, here's my secret: DIET, EXERCISE, TAKE TIME TO RELAX and DO ONE THING YOU LOVE DOING..... oooooooo... big secret there!

Now, of course I know it's hard... there are definitely days where I bring home a bunch of value meals because I'm too tired to cook, and there are many nights I just veg out in front of the TV instead of exercising because I'm just too damn tired... but I always go back to: "If I don't take care of myself, how can I possibly take care of my loved ones?" That alone gets me off my butt the next day and I try again....and I try again....and I try AGAIN. I don't stop trying. Because my family is worth it. They are worth me sticking around for as long as I can. They are worth having me happy and alert and ready to take care of them.

LIFE LESSON: If your family, friends, and loved ones are worth it, don't make excuses that keep you from taking care of yourself. Make YOURSELF a priority, and everyone else around you will feel like you're putting them first.