Sometimes you have to force yourself to do certain things. It’s for your own good.

This morning, I forced myself to sleep in. I typically wake up around 6 am so I can have some quiet time before Makenzie wakes up. Today, I made myself stay snuggled up in bed until 7:30.

Then, after making and eating breakfast, I forced myself to stay on the couch all day. I feel better than yesterday, but know rest will do my body some good.

Side note: I look super young when I’m sick. I promise I’m not 16.

I had to force myself to stop negative thoughts. I hate feeling lazy. Sitting on the couch all day will do that to a person. I momentarily started feeling down on myself and “gross” – but I stopped all of that nonsense pronto.

Then, more nonsense appeared in the form of guilt for having M chill with me on the couch all day, watching TV or reading books. I’m still a good mom. She still loves me. Heck, she probably loves me more for allowing her to watch a marathon of recorded Word World episodes today.

I had to force myself not to poke my eyes out from watching the same episode 4 times in a row. How can kids watch things over and over and over?

I couldn’t laze about completely. I still had to force myself to use my brain and plan for Sunday’s class.

I had to force myself not to laugh too hard at Makenzie’s antics singing “Needof the Red Nose Redoor”. I didn’t want to have to change my underpants. Remember the joys of leaking “they” don’t tell you about?

Now, I have to force myself away from the alluring call of Nyquil. Oh, to knock myself out from feeling the cold ickies!

• Did you have to force yourself to do anything today?

Baby B is coming. Relatively soon. Within the next month (more or less). That sounds soon to me. I’ve mentioned before that I have quite a few topics I want to discuss relating to how I plan to pursue getting back in shape post-pregnancy and other issues surrounding that. I would like to lay it all out there before I even begin the process. I like to have a game plan to share and which to help hold myself accountable. Plus, its fun for me to talk about fitness related topics since I can’t physically do them at the moment. Hence the start of the Body After Baby series I will share over the next month. 😀

Before I delve into those topics I want to discuss something else first. After my recent post on achieving my “best-shape” and sharing this set…

…of progress pictures from post-Makenzie, I began thinking more about the whole progress picture phenomenon.

The blog world is a very public place. I don’t mind so much the thought of having pictures like the above out there. The main thing I feel uncomfortable with is if sharing such pictures sends any sort of negative or inappropriate message. In the past 6 months there has been talk about blogger responsibility and posting such “progress pictures” falls into that role.

I don’t want my pictures to serve as a way to compare – either me comparing myself to others or others comparing to me. I don’t want my own personal “before” shots to be viewed as me unhappy with myself or that I view anyone with a similar physique as less than beautiful. I don’t want the focus to appear that I’m trying to look a certain way, over feel a certain health, strength, and vitality.

But…

I also know I refuse to use a scale in my post-baby fitness journey. I will need some sort of measure and pictures like the above greatly motivate me. I want to have the opportunity to show the changes that can happen in a body, without deprivation and overstressing the process. I also want to put myself out there every step of the way – as a means to lift up my body and its beauty in all appearances. The progress pictures would also serve as a reminder to myself to love and appreciate it for all it does, no matter how it looks in a photo. Because it is beautiful no matter what.

So, that’s where I’m at. Inappropriate or motivating? Thoughts?