by Elena Marquina for Mamiverse
Moms never get sick, don’t need to get a haircut, can go without a manicure, get enough exercise by running after their kids, manage with an occasional bite off someone else’s sandwich and are used to sleeping less than the rest of the family… Okay, maybe not! But, do you have the time to take care of yourself? Personally, it has definitely been a challenge.
Like any mami, I take pride in caring for my family, but I can’t say I did a good job of taking care of myself. At one point I was only eating the leftovers after my kids had dinner plus cookies if I still felt hungry; my hair was growing wild, permanently tied back in a ponytail; and I would only shave or wax my bikini line the night before my annual checkup (no significant other in the picture!).
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Habits—both good and bad—have us repeating a specific behavior without second thoughts. Only when my hair starting falling out, my nails became brittle and my clothes got too tight, did I realize it was time to change. In this destructive rut, my actions contradicted the message I try to convey to my kids: it’s vital to take care of yourself, inside and out.
AN UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE
That is when I made the pledge. We teach by example—actions speak louder than words—but my behavior was far from exemplary, and not the legacy I intended to leave my girls. This is what I had to fix.
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