Nurture yourself

If you're like most women nowadays, by the time you've taken care of work responsibilities, family matters and social obligations, there's no time left for you. What's the big deal?

Believe it or not, setting aside just half an hour to an hour each day for yourself could be just what the doctor ordered. In fact, many fitness experts agree that a little self-nurturing can go a long way towards helping you feel better physically and emotionally, no matter how exhausted you might be.

'Traditionally, women have been caretakers and nurturers', says Nancy Kennedy, a DietSmart fitness expert. 'And, let's face it, we're always putting everything before ourselves - our kids, our jobs, our husbands. At the end of the day, there's nothing left for us - we're exhausted! But the bottom line is, if you don't take care of yourself, who will? I ask all of my female clients, "If you don't do it now and take time out for yourself, who will take care of your kids if you're not well?" You've got to put yourself first sometimes'.

Kennedy's not just talking about eating well and getting enough sleep. She also stresses treating yourself to something that makes you feel good or a little more relaxed every day.

Break free from food
Here's the catch: When women think about treating themselves, giving in to chocolate or some other indulgent treat is often the first thing that pops into mind. While our experts agree that food can be very nurturing, there are healthier, more invigorating alternatives than a tub of ice cream. If you're one of the sweet-toothed masses, don't despair.

According to celebrity trainer Michael George, pampering yourself with food may not be such a hard habit to break. 'Any time you take something out of your life, you'll probably replace it with something else,' he explains. 'For example, people who stop smoking often begin drinking more coffee. So, if you've always relaxed with food, it's really just a matter of finding a better substitute. What matters is finding something that is important to you, makes you feel good or helps you to know yourself better. If it were always chocolate cake that made you feel better, recognise that it's just a short-term fix and you may be seeking some comfort. Be realistic about how you can get that feeling from something that's better for you overall'.

Not surprisingly, DietSmart's fitness experts' top choice for self-nurturing is exercise (they are fitness experts, after all). And they have compelling reasons to back up their pick. In addition to the obvious weight loss and fitness benefits, physical activity has been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stress.