...and that made all the difference

I have worked out 6 days straight! Can I first say, this is a record for me. I have not worked out 6 days in a row in...forever, literally. But more importantly, the 6 days of working out and finding new and fun things to do at the gym besides run on the treadmill like a hampster on a wheel has completely reinvigorated my life. I understand that in 6 days I am not seeing a "physical transformation" yet. But the way I feel internally has me over the moon. I am finding out all the cliches...I have more energy, I am more patient with my husband and kids because I have carved out a little personal time for myself, I am more inclined to come home and kick butt around the house with work that needs to be done. I am more proactive about things that have been just sitting around for ages. But still, it is more. I am learning that the more I am trying to take care of my body, the more I deserve to take care of my body. I am spending a few extra minutes when I step out of the shower to put on good body lotion. A few extra seconds to put on some eye cream after I wash my face. I'm not rushing through the shower to get out as fast as I can and falling into bed without even **gasp** washing my face or taking off my make-up some nights. I am learning that I deserve to take care of myself. I owe it to myself to take care of my body, internally and externally. I spend my entire days, all 24-hours of them, taking care of 2 kids, a husband, a house and a dog. I certainly am well-deserved to carve out some time to take care of me. I am happier, healthier, I feel better about myself and, in turn, I am a better wife and mommy. The personal trainer when I had my physical assessment said something really interesting to me that I have been thinking a lot about for the past week. She asked me on a scale of 1-10 what my "desire to acheive my goals" with 10 being "I am willing to do anything it takes." I answered with an 8. When she questioned me about why I told her that, honestly, my family will always come first. There will be some days when both the kids are sick or have had long days or whatever the case may be when I am not able to make it to the gym or find time to work out. Then she told me thay there were 168 hours in a week, would I be able to use 4-5 of them to take care of myself? Yes, ma'am, I think I will.