Your job as a mother is not an easy one. Whether you work out of the home or are a stay at home super mom, managing a household, caring for children and keeping life running smoothly leaves little time for yourself. Many mothers become complacent when it comes to personal things, such as that extra baby weight they have yet to shed, or their personal diet. Who has time to take that Yoga class when you have three soccer games to attend? Why bother cooking healthy meals throughout the day when that fast food dollar menu is so convenient and cheap? It seems like a nearly impossible thing to fathom, but staying in shape, even when you are leading the busy, hectic life of a mom, is a lot easier than you think. Try these tips for the next week and see how you feel.
Make Exercise Fun
Take the kids to the park and play tag. Walk the dog together. If your children are still stroller bound, push them around the block a few times. Just a 20 minute walk a day can greatly reduce your stress levels, boost your energy levels and lower your blood pressure.
Jumping jacks are a great cardio booster. Make it into a game, see who can jump the longest and reward the winner with stickers or a treat-a glass of wine for mom perhaps? Incorporating exercise into play time also has the added benefit of keeping your children active and tiring them out for that sacred time of the day; nap time!
Grab some ankle weights and work on those legs while you vacuum. Turn everyday chores into a fun exercise opportunity. Work in some squats while you are picking up toys. Concentrate on keeping your tummy tight while you fold laundry.
Eat Smart
Save money and calories by preparing healthy snacks to refrigerate and grab on the go. Apples and peanut butter, celery and peanut butter, anything with peanut butter is delicious and easy to eat when you are on the run. If you need something sweet, squirt dime-sized drops of yogurt on a cookie tray and freeze overnight. Frozen yogurt drops make a delicious breakfast treat that you can stick in a Ziploc and enjoy anywhere.
Stay hydrated
Keeping a steady flow of water through your system is the most important factor when it comes to staying in shape. It is so easy to just grab a soda or processed drink because they come in easily accessible and reseal able containers. Bottled water is a better choice but can be expensive over time, so opt for a reusable water bottle.
Relax and Rewind
Take time to slow down and take stock of your surroundings, even if it is only for five minutes a day. So many moms get burnt out and live in a constant state of exhaustion because they just don’t know how to find the time to relax and breath. You have to make the time. Meditate for five minutes, close your eyes and allow yourself to be free from your day, if only for a few minutes. When your body is stressed, it releases the hormone Cortisol. When Cortisol is released too frequently; weight gain can occur, further slowing you down and leading to other health problems. Keeping your stress in check is key to staying in shape.
Try adding one tip a day for the next week and work from there. Guaranteed you will have more energy, feel better and will be well on your way to getting and staying in shape.
Relax and Rewind
Take time to slow down and take stock of your surroundings, even if it is only for five minutes a day. So many moms get burnt out and live in a constant state of exhaustion because they just don’t know how to find the time to relax and breath. You have to make the time. Meditate for five minutes, close your eyes and allow yourself to be free from your day, if only for a few minutes. When your body is stressed, it releases the hormone Cortisol. When Cortisol is released too frequently; weight gain can occur, further slowing you down and leading to other health problems. Keeping your stress in check is key to staying in shape.
Try adding one tip a day for the next week and work from there. Guaranteed you will have more energy, feel better and will be well on your way to getting and staying in shape.
Melissa Bixby writes about parenting, saving money & frequenting www.dentalinsurance.net.
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