Rethinking Values

I continue on my weight loss journey (down two more pounds to 196). But I realize it's not just about exercising or changing my food habits, it's about how I treat myself.

 "To maintain weight loss, you must value yourself enough to make time each day to exercise, prepare healthy meals and relax. I personally commit to about one hour and fifteen minutes a day (45 minutes for exercise, 15 minutes for making healthy meals  and 15 minutes for relaxing). You may need more or less than this, but setting aside a certain amount of time each day is essential. Even if you have to get up earlier or have family pitch in with household chores, you have to value yourself enough to make the time. There are no shortcuts."

This is from a Best Life Diet blog, and it was a revelation to me. When you care about something, you put time and energy into it: a book, a project, a romance...but what energy and time was I putting into myself?  Sure, I managed to work out for 30 minutes....sometimes.  And I tried to eat healthier...sometimes.  But I wasn't putting consistent effort into it, into myself.  But that has to change.  I want to be healthy, I want to lower my cholesterol (borderline high according to a recent test), I want to lose weight.  I have many reasons to do this, but the most important one must be because I value myself enough to do it for me...not for my family, not for some future significant other or child, but because I, just Catherine, am worth the effort.