I know, I have been MIA for a few weeks here on the blog. But don’t you all worry, I am back! We spent a great deal of time with our family over spring break and I even took three days off of work! Which meant, I didn’t spend any time in front of a computer until now! Then my husband had to be out of town for a few days. So I feel like I am just catching my breath again.

I can’t remember (this is becoming more and more the norm for me – ugh, my memory!) if I have shared with you all my passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. I know I talked to you about my love for running and how it saved me but I recently started a workout program called 80 Day Obsession. You can follow me on Instagram @focusonme1984 or on Facebook @Jessica R Heesch. A huge part of this workout program is making yourself a priority.  This is something I have struggled with for a long time. When we first got married, I set out to be the best wife possible to my husband. Then we had Jackson and I set out to be the best mom possible to Jackson. Then I realized, I lost myself somewhere along the way. Not that I didn’t do things for myself, because I did. But I didn’t make myself a priority.

I am 46 days into 80 days of making myself a priority and am so proud of what I have accomplished. I get up before everyone wakes to make sure I get my workout in. I am fueling my body with the nutrients it needs, not wants. I have made time for myself without my husband or my son. This does not make me a bad mom or wife. In fact, it makes me a better wife and mom. If you are anything like me, you put all you have into work, your kids, your husband, and at the end of the day you have nothing left for yourself. I am changing that. I am finding an hour a day to make sure I do something for myself.  I have gotten a massage, a pedicure, taken more baths in the last 44 days than I have in a long time and made sure that I am the best version of myself in order to be the best mom and wife.

Am I tired at the end of the day, yes. But do I have more respect for myself, yes. Do I have more patience to deal with stressful situations, yes. Do I have more confidence in myself, yes. Will I continue to put myself first after these 80 days are over, yes. Maybe not to the degree I am doing now, but I will make sure that I am the best version of myself in order to be the best mom and wife.

Heather recently sent us an e-mail (and has mentioned to me before) about how my fitness journey has inspired her and how seeing me get up and get my workout in and eat healthier has been good for her to see. Oh, I wish I could express how happy this makes my heart. I do it for myself but I also do it in the hopes that it inspires at least one person. So, I will continue to do it knowing Heather is watching. Knowing Jackson is watching me.

When my husband was out of town a couple weeks ago, I had to get up even earlier (4:30 a.m. early!) to make sure that I could get my workout in before Jackson got up. Which, didn’t always work because he has been getting up at 5:38 every day. (Side note– any ideas to help him sleep longer would be great). But then I was reminded as much as I wanted and want to put myself first. I can only do that to a certain degree. Because Jackson has needs that can only be met by us, his parents. And while my husband was gone, those needs could only be met by me. He is pretty good at doing things himself, like getting dressed or lately getting the milk out of the refrigerator. But he still can’t feed himself or give himself a bath or read. He still needs his mama. And as much as I want to put myself first, I do not want my baby to grow up any faster than he already has.

So for now, I will attempt to make time for myself. But at the very same time I will treasure the moments that Jackson still needs me!