Being a mom and making time for fitness is no easy task (and I can say that as a mom of three). Juggling schedules, activities, and naps can make eating healthy difficult and exercise a luxury but because our bodies need those things it’s important that we set aside some time for our health.
One way to eat healthy is to get the entire house on board. Oatmeal is a great breakfast for the whole family and to make it fun you can add fruit, peanut butter or even some Nutella. Lunch is where many moms struggle. Keep bagged spinach or romaine on hand for a salad and be sure to stuff your purse with almonds or carrots so you aren’t tempted to eat junk while running errands or while busy at work. Lastly, dinner should be a breeze. It’s mom’s time to shine and teach the children what a plate should look like. Have a vegetable and a lean meat with every dinner.
Take a walk during your lunch break.
Now as far as exercise, do what you can. Some ideas are taking a walk during your lunch break, waking up early to either go to the gym or work out with an exercise video or you can create your own gym at home and exercise while the children sleep at night. Whatever works for you, but find something that you like and stick to it!
More than anything, our families need moms that are healthy!
Here is how a few other moms are going hard for fitness:
Michelle Riley
mom of 4: It is VERY difficult to stay consistent with a healthy lifestyle as a Mom due to the high prices of the healthier foods and when you have a household that includes children it’s even more money. The food choices that help me stay on track is buying LIVE food, meaning I try to stay out of the inside aisles at the grocery store and buy foods that are on the outside aisles which will be produce, meat, etc.
My Husband and I just joined Lifetime Fitness and I am already addicted to going to that fitness center. I currently enjoy the cycle class because it is new to me and it is a challenge. I have to MAKE the time for fitness because you will never find it. I pack my gym bag and I go to the gym right after work. This is now my daily routine. If I can’t make it due to my work schedule then I will add an extra day to my regimen.
It is not only important for Moms to live healthy, it is VITAL. It helps on several different levels. For example, it will help reduce stress that you have at work, home, with your children, spouse etc. It is also living by example, where your children can see how vital it is and they would follow suit.
Mesita Patridge
new mom: As a mom of a 5 month old I am on a strict diet to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. No carbs or sugar for 60 days! It has actually been pretty easy to stick to my diet. My weakness is sweets so when I have a craving I eat fruit like strawberries. I love working out with my Black Girls Workout Too DVD and to be sure that I am able to get in my exercise, I work out before he wakes up!
God expects us to lead by example. One example that we must surely set is the example of living healthy. Proverbs 22: 6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”