TODAY’S LAUGH: This new year brings the usual gazillion TV commercials for diet plans and miracle body-shaping
gizmos, but also new TV shows like Canada’s “X-Weighted” and the “National Body Challenge” on the Discovery Health channel. Both feature folks who are willing to bare all–bulges, flab, soul, angst–on national television. (It’s sort of a Jerry Springer Weight Loss Program.)
To me the message is clear: “HAPPY NEW YEAR, MARY…AND YOU’RE FAT!” HA! Ha? Hmmm…
Usually I tune it all out, but last week I caught a show and heard something that got me thinking hard. A woman who’d been struggling with weight issues all her life was finally making progress because she made one small change (a 1% step): “I decided it was time to get serious about my life and my health, and PUT MYSELF FIRST!”
She changed her mind and it changed her life. Her change in THINKING got me thinking.
“What if…” instead of feeling guilty I DID take time for myself, maybe first thing in the morning before the demands of others start. (“I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.” ~Marsha Doble)
What if, instead of saying “someday I’ll take care of myself,” I said, “It’s now or never. Today’s the day…”
What if, instead of complaining about how boring it is to walk on the treadmill, I found something I DO enjoy, that’s fun and convenient, and did that instead. What if, instead of claiming to be eating right but packing away the brownies when nobody’s looking, I found some things that tasted great and were good for me, and got serious about eating right…
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Putting yourself first is hard, but important. Yes, taking care of yourself means you’ll be a better parent, spouse, caregiver, employee, boss or whatever, but that’s not the PRIMARY reason to do it!
Taking good care of yourself is something you DESERVE because you are a human being, worthy of love and worthy of radically good self care!
And let’s be honest: Who will take care of you if you don’t?
Think about it. What if, starting today, you gave yourself the attention you deserve? What if YOU decided to get serious about
YOUR life and your health, set aside the guilt and put yourself first? What if…
What if you could change YOUR mind, and change YOUR life?
Let me know what you think. Comment here or use the “Contact Mary” link and I’ll enter your name in the January drawing for a free book–your choice of Mrs. Potato Head, the Wimp or Twister. (One entry per verified email address and US mailing addresses only, please. Thanks!)
Now, go be a blessing to somebody else today!
P.S. Happy Birthday, KT!!
This comment from Bill: “You’ve hit a nail on the head! We’re so conditioned to “think of others” we lose sight of the fact that God thought of us.
If we don’t think that highly of ourselves, we’re ill-equipped to make the leap of compassion and offering ourselves to others. Go, girl, go!”
And this from Diane: “Women really should take better care of themselves. We deserve it! Thanks for the encouragement!”
And Phyllis offers this: “The main reason for taking care of our bodies is because they are the temple of God. I Cor. 3:16-17 Doing so will help us persevere to the end. ”
Bill, Diane and Phyllis are entered into the January FREE BOOK drawing.
This just in from Linda: “I just wanted to confirm what you said. You do need to be “selfish” about taking care of yourself. I just started working with a trainer and it is far and away the hardest thing that I have done physically this side of childbirth.I have had to call on every bit of strength I have to commit myself to this program. At this stage of my life I feel that I deserve this. My children are grown & gone and my husband has been very supportive both emotionally and financially. I know that the intensity will even out after I get in shape and then just try to maintain the weight loss and conditioning. I have to be selfish to remain focused. It is top priority in my life right now. In the long run I know that is is a good & healthful thing that I am doing. I feel in better shape than I was 30 years ago and feel good about myself for the first time in the same number of years. My goal is simply to be healthy & fit-not to be thin.”
Amen to that, Linda! And you’re entered in the drawing!
I have to agree. I am a big fan of making lots of small changes that you enjoy instead of saying
“I have to workout and eat crappy food that is good for me”
Who ever said that you need to suffer to be healthy and happy?
(Indeed, whoever said it, and why did we listen??!
MP)