Taking care of myself

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2005
Taking care of myself
3
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 9:38am

Hi all
I just picked up a copy of the Body for Life for Women program, and although I haven't finished the book, I'm impressed with what I have read. So far it's different than the other stuff I've looked at. She spends a lot of time on the MIND portion of being healthy, which I think is what I am lacking.

Then, this morning during my workout I watched a little bit of Jane Pauley who had a show about women's health and why it's so important for us to take care of ourselves emotionally - the new research shows that emotional stress causes heart stress in women WAY more than in men. Stress also breaks down our immune system faster, we've all heard it before, but it was compelling to hear the difference between men and women.

So, with all this new information, I am starting a journal today. I've started a journal many times in the past, but this one will be guided by the Body For Life book, as doing a journal is part of the program. I'm also giving real thought to what I enjoy doing and how to cut out stuff I don't like to make time for stuff I do like.

What do YOU do to take care of yourself? Not just physically, but emotionally? I read in the book that men guard their time much more successfully that we do, and I sure find that to be true. When my husband started a job with longer hours the first thing we had to do was work out 1-2 hours a DAY for 'his' time to help him cope with the stress. At first I was a little annoyed, I don't get 1-2 hours a day, I'm lucky to have 20 minutes a day without kids, dishes, housework, etc. This book has helped me to see that the reason I don't have 1-2 hours a day is because I refuse to take it. This morning, when I was headed into the treadmill, my daughter whined that she wanted me to watch tv with her and snuggle. Instead of feeling guilty, I told her it would have to wait, my body needed the treadmill. She's still annoyed and just came up to the office to report that she is VERY sick and NEEDS me to snuggle with her, but I got my workout in, I"m covered in sweat and I feel good about it.

So, here's to taking at least an hour a day, after the kids go to bed or whatever, to do something I really enjoy. The laundry may not get done every day and I may have a big pile of dishes after dinner, but that's the way life is going to be for a while.

Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 11:32am

Karen, I totally agree with you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 10:01pm

This post could not have been posted at a more appropriate time (for me!!)......I've just had the day from hell- my whole body ached, I had a headache, etc, etc...when I got home from work, and did some stuff around the house.


When I eventually had some time for "me" I sat on the couch and relaxed with a diet coke (and American Idol, lol).....I feel SO much better!!


One of the reasons I haven't been around much is because of so much stuff going on in my life, plus my mind has not been in the most positive of spirits so I didn't think it was a good idea to be posting ;-)


I'll have to look into that book-- plus I'm going to look for the 'Why French Women Aren't Fat' book. The author was on Oprah the other night (might have been last night...) and when you talk about the BFL book they sound 'kind of' similar.


I think taking time for yourself is crucial, alright not always completely possible to take an hour.......but taking something is essential for a peaceful mind!!


Thanks for the reminder Karen- hope the rest of your day went well!

~IslandGirl


*** Moderation Is Key ***


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2005
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 4:58pm

There is a wonderful added benefit that I hadn't even thought of. My kids are watching me. When I go work out, they see that exercise is important. When I take a break to eat yogurt, instead of wolfing it down when I am cooking dinner, they see that food is important. My daughter usually comes in while I'm on the treadmill, or she asks me to set up one of her exercise videos so she can sweat at the same time. It's cute, but also tells me she is watching and making decisions about what's important.

I think we need to give kids the reminder that mom is important too. It doesn't diminish them in the least, it just lets them know we need time too. I have a friend who's 6 yr old daughter told her she didn't want to grow up, because it didn't look like her mom every had any fun. WHat a terrible message to leave kids.

Karen