If you are anything like I am – you are busy. Sometimes I can’t believe how much I have to do on a daily and weekly basis. Running the children places, schooling, cleaning, exercising, negotiating arguments between little boys, keeping up with friends, checking in on family members, etc. It makes me tired just thinking and writing about it!!
Honestly, I find it hard to take some time out for myself. It’s difficult for me to step away from my family life for a minute or an hour and have some down time, but I try hard to do it on occasion.
My very favorite thing to do for myself right now is to sit down and have a cup of tea, read a book, and just be quiet for a little while. After those few minutes of “me” time I find it easier to deal with life’s little stresses. Are there true benefits to taking time out for yourself? And does taking some time for yourself make your weight loss journey easier and more productive?
I think it does.
Spending some time alone for reflection can help you focus on yourself in a positive way. It can reduce your stress level. It can help you appreciate your family and friends a little bit more when you are around them. All that oftentimes adds up to positive attitudes about ourselves – and positive attitudes definitely help us in weight loss.
It can be so easy to focus on all the details of trying to eat healthy, exercise correctly, record our food, keep up with grocery shopping, and make everyone happy that we get stressed out. Taking time for ourselves is important because it gives us a breath of fresh air and invigorates us.
And like we talked about last week, weight loss and the road to improving our health is definitely a long road. Even if there are only a few pounds left to lose, there is a lifetime of maintenance to look forward to and plan for. The times when I had the most struggle with my weight were those times when I was the most stressed out in other areas of my life. And when I remembered to take some time for me, the weight loss journey seemed a little bit easier.
Where are you today? Are you in need of a few hours (or days) of down time? What’s your favorite thing to do just for you? Diane
Two things! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a Gym In A Bag, and please forgive me if I don’t get around to visit your blogs today – hopefully the plane flight to New York got out amid the snow and I’m in New York now trying not to be too nervous!
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Taking time out for oneself is so important..I’m looking forward to the hairdresser on Thursday and next Thursday to the nail salon..
Marcelle´s last blog ..Received A Parcel
I know I say it all the time but around here the metime is a nonegotiable.
It can be brief.
I may need to get up really EARLY for it.
BUT I TAKE IT.
)
(and I usually read
Miz´s last blog ..Personal First Aid Kits: aka self preservation in a pimp hat.
You know what’s really frightening? I’m sitting here honestly trying to think of what my favourite thing to do for me is, and I can’t come up with an answer. Wow! That’s some perspective, eh?
…and now I kinda feel like crying a little because I just asked my husband the question since I truly can’t come up with anything and his answer for me was ‘helping others’.
I guess I need to ponder this.
266´s last blog ..Waste Not, Want Not
By helping yourself, you are helping others. Are you taking care of yourself? I feel that my me time is my exercise time. I feel a lot of frustration and anxiety dealing with family matters and I find that action that is just for me only relieves my frustration and anxiety. Today I did strength training and felt like I accomplished something as my muscles warmed. Then I chopped vegetables for my crockpot which granted my husband will benefit from too, but I made this soup especially for me because that is what I wanted. Sometimes it just has to come down to that it’s what I wanted and not for the good of someone else. I deserve attention too.
Stress has a huge impact on weight loss. I need time to myself to just relax quite a bit! I just love to spend time with my husband and family, it’s always just what I need to stay positive.
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I get up at 5:30 for me time.
Just to quietly drink my coffee, organize my day and thoughts, (check out Fit to the Finish!). Lately, with 4 teenagers, I have been feeling tossed around with all their issues. (Good kids, just health issues and such.) I need this time more.
Mia
Diane, hope you have a safe and wonderful trip – can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.
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Good luck today!
I might slip into bed in the afternoon. Or cuddle with my Chickadee. Pedicures even if I do them myself give me a sense of relaxation, or I might lay on the floor when the house is quiet if my back is sore.
I’m learning not to discount this time as lazy or wasted. It really helps everything (and everyone) else.
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I try to take some time for myself every day to read or just relax. It makes the whole day so much more manageable!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..fun day in the bean!
Every day I fit in two things that I consider to be “ME” time- study and meditation. For some reason I do not consider anything physical ( manicure, exercise, ,massage and so forth) to be me time. For me it has do be something where I get to exercise my mind and spirit in the best way. I squeeze in time for this every single day, because to let the ball drop on this insures that utter chaos happens. It is critical for all of us to take some me time.
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I love to get in the bath, read a book, and just watch old movies when I take a rest day! I really need one now!
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I am beginning to learn the importance of this. Unplugging and getting stuff done which needs to be done.
I LOVE Candy Cane Lane tea. It’s a night cap for me.
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Diane, I love that pic! YES to me time! I did not pay attention to that in my younger years but IT IS SO NEEDED! Stress can cause havoc with the bod.. take time out.. even if it is locking the bathroom door & staying there with a book!
Me, I like to have a coffee on the weekend days & read & during the week, I do have TV time at night before I conk out & no, I don’t feel guilty for watching TV!
Can’t wait to hear about Dr. Oz!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Supermarket Secrets That Can Make You Sick
I totally want to have more ME time, but it’s tough to fit it into my schedule. I keep telling myself “4 more months” but after graduation I’m sure I’ll find something else to keep me WAY too busy!
Rebecca´s last blog ..Winter Blues
You’re so right about stepping away from it all to refresh yourself. I like to read but save it for right before I go to bed. Maybe I should take some time during the day instead!
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I try to take a 20 minute nap every afternoon before my three boys get home from school. I find it hard to get through the busy evening when I don’t get my nap. I used to feel guilty and lazy about it, but now I realize it’s just something I need to do for my health and for my family.
I have found that getting up early gives me some time to do a bible study and write some in my journal. Writing a journal helps me sort through my thoughts and focus on what is important.
Good luck on your trip to New York and Dr. Oz. I can’t wait to see the show!
Me time is so important. I don’t have kids, so I have more me time than the average parent, I think. Still, in the midst of busy life I like to exercise, read, and take a long shower. This week, though, I’ve had a lot of me time. I’ve been snowed in all weekend and haven’t worked since Thursday. During the first two days of the snow storm I was super efficient and checked off as much of my to-do list as I could without going out. Which leaves me much me time today!
Funny, I actually wrote about something similar today! Diane you are going to do GREAT in NYC! I can’t WAIT to hear all about it!!!!!!
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Today I’m going to the gym right after work and then watching LOST with my new friend. I normally still do work at night so this is my night off.
Cynthia (It All Changes)´s last blog ..Lessons Learned + Goals
Actually, I feel like exercising is my *me* time since I do find it cathartic and invigorating.
I do love a good bubble bath or drinking coffee while reading a book too.
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I could not agree more. My husband is out of town this week and we have a 9-month-old puppy who LOVES to go to day camp and to this great overnight shelter with webcams and the whole deal. She wears herself out and sleeps like a log. So instead of coming home to an INSANE puppy after a 12-hour day of work, she went to camp this morning and will be there til I pick her up tomorrow evening. While my husband doesn’t “get” this, I require me time…a little bit, every day. And that just wouldn’t happen with it being just her and I alone this week. I think she appreciates the excitement of other dogs, and I will enjoy watching my college basketball team play while running on the treadmill tonight, not feeling guilty about the attention I’m not giving her. She’s not a child, but she’s our baby…and she is needy, so the comparison is there for me!
I’m looking forward to my evening alone, can you tell? 
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Great post! We forget about “me” time! It’s so important to step back and doing something you. It helps you focus, stay positive, reduce stress, and so much more! I love to take a bath and totally relax. I also love to get comfy on the couch with blanket and watch a chick flick
Jen
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ME time is necessary!
I hope you have fun in NY and I can’t wait to see all of you on the show! so fun!
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Who couldn’t use a bit of quiet time, daily?
Hope your flight goes smoothly.
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Me time is essential. I probably take too much of it!
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When my oldest son was young, he came home from preschool one day and said they’d been talking about families and were asked about their parents’ hobbies. He said to me, “I said dad’s hobby is playing the piano, but I wasn’t sure what your hobby is – is it laundry?” I was relieved to realize he didn’t think I spent too much time reading and ignoring him and his brother! During the same family discussion at preschool he told the class his dad’s real name was Bill and he thought his mom’s name was Honey Bunny. Anyway, the kids are grown and I still love to read. Nothing like it for me.
I like to crawl into my cozy bed and just watch some of my favorite T.V. series that I have on DVD, with a nice cup of tea, and my purring kitty.
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Oh man, I feel like I ALWAYS need time for myself! I love to just settle in with a book for a while, or go to the bookstore and browse. Those things always seem to calm me and let me recharge.
Jenn @ Watch My Butt Shrink!´s last blog ..Food Journal: 02.06.10
Some time for myself is very important to me, but I find it’s one of the first things to go when things get really busy. The funny thing is, though, when I take time for myself I really end up accomplishing more. I consider my daily blogging time “me” time because I’m reflecting on my day, planning for the next one, and I love to write. Also, for me, I’ve found that if I can get a few solid hours of alone time around the house over the weekend, my week goes so much better. I use the time to clean, plan, catch up, and relax. I just feel so much more prepared for the next week.
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This has been critical for me. A critical revelation, “hey self, taking time for yourself is not selfish.” It has made all the difference in the world to wake up early and have a couple of minutes of ME time.
I keep hearing that little speal they give at the beginning of a flight, “if you are traveling with a child who needs help, put the mask on yourself first…” I think as moms we tend to put everyone else first and put US on the back burner. We can’t take care of anyone if we aren’t being taken care of. I have to keep reminding myself of that….
I know it’s necessary for me to have some downtime. If I don’t I stress out and then don’t function well in my roles as wife, mommy, human…
I enjoy reading or doing some handwork while I listen to an old radio show or story. I also enjoy blog reading and doing some digital scrapbooking…it’s my time to not think or worry about “important” stuff.
I’m praying for you and your trip!!!
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Alone time keep me sane..nothing like laying on my bed, reading a magazine for a good hour to get my head back on straight! Definitely removing yourself from the rest of the world for a small period of time really makes you appreciate everyone around you
Good luck today!!!
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Great post Diane!
I am definitely in need of some “me” time. I’ve got a million things going and sometimes my head spins at the thought of it all.
If I could do one thing right now: Lay in bed and read a good book (with no one bothering me).
~Kellie
The Chubby Girl Diaries´s last blog ..All or nothing at all
I love, love, love reading. A lot of times I read after the kids are in bed and before I fall asleep, but I find I need that time.
I also like having 20-30 mins to exercise. This could be at the gym away from the kids or a nice brisk walk outside (when it’s not too cold). But I have found I’m a better mother and wife when I have this time to me, so it’s definitely worth it.
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Oh yes. I love my quiet time which usually comes in the morning before everyone else gets up. My life is a bit chaotic so taking time to just be, a 10 minute meditation, think, enjoy my yerba-mate tea and focus on the best parts of my life gives me such a great feeling. I feel renewed and ready to take on the day’s challenges. Thanks for this great post.
Terie
Terie´s last blog ..Feeling crappy and I know why
I try to get a little bit of me time every day. It’s so important. Sitting in the rocking chair for a few minutes when the toddler takes a nap is sooo nice…
Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog ..A Weekend Treat
I’m in MAJOR need for some downtime! Me and Austin vowed to chill at the house all weekend and rest, do stuff for the house/ourselves and just RELAX. I hope it works out – I agree with you, it’s SO important!
fittingbackin´s last blog ..C25K Week 5, Cooking, New Product and January 2010 Assessment
i totally need some alone time. I love it when Dan leaves me for a few hours and I can putz on the internet and watch TV. I’m now beginning to enjoy my time on the treadmill. in my own world…
Mackattack (Beth)´s last blog ..Yellow Cake with White Icing
I love the picture. It reminds me of my honeymoon in Hawaii. I got a massage at a fancy spa and they gave me a foot bath with beautiful flowers floating in it – just like the one in the picture! Taking time to recharge is very important. My daily exercise helps me to recharge too, but a few minutes of down time can do wonders!
Kat´s last blog ..Never too late…
I have a lot more time for myself than most other woman since I don’t have children. But I’m busy too mostly with work, housekeeping and social life. And even though the last one is fun too I love to sit down and read a book or watch one of my favourite tv shows. I tape a lot of those and try to watch one episode every night and then read something before going to bed, it’s very relaxing.
Have fun today at Dr. Oz!
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I needed the reminder to clock-out from all the hats I wear and have quiet time. Thanks.
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