Ya know I have never taken very good care of myself. I am the type of person who is constantly taking care of everyone else. My kids, my hubby, neighbors, family. Need help...ask me i'll do it. But noone has ever returned the favor and i neglect myself endlessly. My house was always spotless but somedays I was too busy cleaning it to even get out of my PJ's.

As of late i have thrown myself into my exercise whick i LOVE!!! and I am eating better, which I am getting better at. I haven't spent the day in my jammies in weeks. There have even been days that the dishes dont get done and i didn't explode lol. I am slowly trying to make myself a priority.

Oh back in the day I avoided doctors and dentists unless it was a dire emergency. And a few times because I avoided them unless it was an emergency - it became one. I wound up with 3 root canals because I didn't go for regular visits to the dentist. And of course those 3 were the only cavitities I ever had.

Now I go to the dentist yearly, all right it's not every 6 months, but it's a lot better.

Went for a pap smear last month. A mammogram 2 weeks ago. My once a year physical in September. I now LOVE going to the doctor. I love getting my BP taken, my weight and cholesterol and all that stuff. I feel soooo good about myself for doing it. I truly believe (now of course) in taking preventive measures.

I now find the time to slather on lotion every day. Wear make up. Do my hair. Put on perfume, keep my toenails nicely polished. My fingernails are always neat. My house is tidy. Laundry is never overflowing. My paperwork is better, not perfect. I'm paying down my debt rather nicely. Started saving money very nicely as well, even with these hard times. My house is incredibly well stocked, not only with the produce, but with non-perishables as well. Also completely stocked with toiletries. I dress beautifully 7 days a week. I exercise regularly.

Oh my gosh, reading this back, it just hit me, once again, how AWESOME this whole "weight loss" thing has been. I enjoy even the mundane things now.

Losing the weight has improved my life in many, many areas, I just can't even begin to tell you.

I am very good at all this stuff, but I need to update my doctor and denist list. Thanks for the reminder.

Taking care of our overall health is so important! Example: What good would it do us to be skinny if all our teeth were rotted out? Kinda counterproductive in the looks department.

Keeping up on yearly gynecological exams, mammograms, monthly breast exams, yearly bloodwoork, etc. is so important. It is usually at one of these well visits that women find an abnormality of some sort, and it makes it much easier to deal with in the early stages rather than later after it has been put off.

I am viewing my upcoming hysterectomy as an opportunity to start a new appreciation for my body and my life. Kind of a "do-over", if you know what I mean!

Why not make an appointment?! I swear it's not that bad. I needed to start getting regular mammograms starting about 3 years ago (I'm 43 and my mom had breast cancer in her 40s) I finally went on Friday, and it was really no big deal. I don't think I could get to the point where I love going, like Robin, but it's no worse than any other errand.

When you were overweight did you keep a tidy house and have good hygiene? If not, what method did you use to establish those habits?

My house was tidy-ish, but it's waaay better now. I tried to keep my home up as it was something that I could take care of instead of myself.

Good hygiene? Yes. I showered and washed my hair everyday, brushed my teeth. But I've gotten even more into it. My nails, the putting on the lotion, the make-up, the perfume and that kind of stuff. Also of course, since I have more options, I now dress waaaay better.

Now since I enjoy life so much more and am so much happier overall, I just want EVERYthing - better. I LOVE coming home at the end of the day to a spotless kitchen and bedroom. I derive pleasure from it. It relaxes me and gives me a sense of calm and peace.

The same thing goes with my nails and lotion, etc. I want EVERYthing to be better. Best. No more settling for "good enough".

The mail is another example. I used to let that get way out of hand as well. Every piece of mail that comes into the house now, gets opened and dated. Things that have a deadline get highlighted in a yellow marker.

I don't neglect things anymore. I deal with them. I face them. No more avoidance.

So the habits, just came about from wanting *more* and like I said - no more settling for mediocre.

Actually, I would use straightening up my house as a diversion from eating in the beginning of my journey. If I wanted to eat, though not truly hungry - I would re-organize a shelf, a drawer and that kind of thing.

I suppose the bottom line is that, I require more from myself now which has trickled down into every area of my life. I don't let things pile up anymore or get out of hand. I'm on top of things. I became "on top of" my weight/health and I am "on top of" everything else as well.

Okay. Been thinking about this some more.

Another big factor, besides no more settling for mediocrity in my life, was learning, establishing and demanding discipline and self-control from myself, which is what was sorely needed in order to get my weight off and now keeping it off. Also making and keeping rules that was also vital to losing the pounds - and keeping them off.

A great quote comes to mind (I love quotes), this one from Julie Andrews of all people:

“Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly.”

I couldn't agree more. Because boy oh boy, do I feel as if I've been set free - to fly and soar and prosper and live and enjoy.

I do my yearly exams with a GP and GYN...always have. I don't have insurance though so unless it's serious like a broken bone or bleeding out my ears I don't seek any medical help. My mom is a RN so I usually run to her

I just recently started going back to the dentist though. Good thing I really make it a point to take care of my teeth. The machine sounds in a dental office makes me sick to my stomach....so much so that when I was in Veterinary school I had to wind up dropping out when I got pregnant. Morning sickness plus my weak stomach in the dental work class made me way too sick

Thinpossible,

Good for you for posting this. I am trying to do the same thing you are.

I am definitely taking better care of me--I had tons of dental work done this year. I also had a full physical in December (except for PAP) with a full set of labs. I hadn't been to the doctor in almost five years.

Yesterday I cleaned out my drawers in my closet. I got out THREE trash bags of things. Before I started my journey I was all about exterior. My house looked nice walking through--just be careful when opening cabinets an drawers! Now, I am the opposite. I like the areas that are concealed to be tidy. Surface areas get a going over every day but I don't obsess about it anymore.

My grooming habits are much better too. I like keeping my eyebrows done and keeping my body smooth and lotioned. I quit manicures and pedicures--now I do them myself. Since I run, my french pedicure was rubbing off the first two or three days.

I also love having my pantry and fridge beautiful. I bought a several very nice containers with open/close lids for the items I buy from bulk bins--steel cut oats, regular oatmeal, almonds, raisins, dates, mueslix, etc. When I open my fridge I see gorgeous colors and everything nicely there waiting for me. Who wants fast food when I have THAT to come home to?

I am getting really good at seeing something and throwing it away if I am not certain if I will ever use it. We have a huge recycle bin and I am even priding myself now on seperating things out and recycling all I can.

Again--great post. Thanks.

re taking off makeup before bed, I use Ponds face wipes, they're great and easy.

wow, looking around my desk, I really need to get into the organizing mode. I hate filing.

I don't think I saw anyone post this--but what about taking care of yourself by getting it on with your man? hehe!

Being uncomfortable with my own body, I am so uninterested in it. But...I often hear how sexuality is important to our health in several ways.

Just a thought!

I feel ya..ever since I packed on the pounds I kind of let myself go and I regret it. Now that I'm in the right mindset, I've been to the dentist where I got my teeth cleaned and my cavity refilled since my last filling came out. I've also been to the gynecologist, gastroenterologist for my acid reflux (which is now gone from healthy eating!! ), the eye doctor for my iritis, and my primary doctor for bloodwork and a physical. I can't afford new clothes right now, or else I would be looking more "presentable", so to speak. I have some jeans in my closet that I bought YEARS ago with tags still on them because they were too small when I first bought them and forgot to return them. Hopefully I can fit into them soon!

That's exactly what I had the most trouble with, running away from my problems. I'm ready to take everything head on now and it feels great! Great reply

I have always gone to the dentist every 6 months and the gyno every year. I am very good about being showered with makeup and jewelry.

Where I need to improve is definitely the makeup before bed and the clean house. It could be soooo much better.