Healthy Living Journal - Day 3

Sometimes when you're trying to strike a balance in your life, you not only have to look at how you eat and how much activity you incorporate into your daily life, but you also have to look at all the other area's that make you who you are. Before I had Jacob I wore make-up every day and dressed well and felt pretty good with who I was externally. I got pedicures and bought new shoes and had a purse to match. But now that I'm a full time mother I can't even remember what that life was all about.  For starters, only a few of my old jeans fit me again but I have to lay down to put them on. And forget about tummy hugging tank tops...a flat tummy has gone away as fast as my nine month pregnancy.  And make-up...well I can't really remember the last time I wore any.  And as for my hair...well I think it's stuck in a permanent pony tail.  Although these material things don't seem nearly as important as they once where, I know that feeling good about yourself and how you look is essential to your well being.  Not only does it produce a spring in your step, but it can keep the attraction alive in your marriage. And probably most importantly it helps you maintain a sense of individuality other than "Hello, I'm Jacob's mother." 

Since my last post I've continued with my exercising and supplementation.  I popped in the 55 minute lower body workout that I did on Monday.  It suggests that I do this work out three times a week in order to see results and since this was my first day of not feeling sore anymore I knew I had to do it.  So I did...with a bit of reluctance because of how tired I am with Jacob's inconsistent sleeping patterns. But I did it and I feel so good that I did.  It's funny how something that makes us feel so good can be so hard to incorporate into our daily lives.  One saying I remember from a gym commercial is "Nobody ever said I wish I hadn't worked out today." Isn't that the truth! 

I've also paid a bit more attention to what I put into my mouth.  Last night I had a chicken salad and instead of plopping on half the jar of dressing, I dipped my fork in it with each bite .  And today I made sure to eat breakfast first thing in the morning.  One thing I've been known to forget to do.

Now back to my original thought.  My husband is a very attentive and helpful man.  He plays with Jacob and takes him from me when he knows I've had enough.  He's done the dishes and the laundry and vacuumed when I haven't had the time to do it. And he still finds the time to says I love you at the end of the day.   But when all is said and done, he pretty much lives his "entertainment" life exactly how he did before Jacob was born. He's been golfing just about every weekend (he deserves it with all the overtime he's put in to make up for my loss of income) and although he still has to work, he gets the adult interaction I very much miss.  So today I thought it was finally time to carve out a chunk of time for myself.  And that is exactly what I did.  At the Aveda Salon, first time members get 50% off of services.  So I went right on ahead and booked myself a facial and massage! I deserve it.  My neck and shoulders hurt from propping myself up half awake on my bed while I feed Jacob in the middle of the night, and to be honest, I never wash my face at night anymore, so that needs a little attention too.

So I feel good about trying to reach a balance in my life.  I've still maintained the house, took care of my son, been a wife, started an exercise program, started eating better and finally carved out some REAL time for me.  I know this will do wonders for not only me, but those that I care about the most!

Thanks for listening!  Good luck everybody on this challenge and stay tuned for day 4!