Being a mom is a wonderful, fulfilling and all consuming event. Just because you've become a parent, however, doesn't mean you don't deserve to look and feel your best! Remember despite becoming increasingly busy, you are still just as fabulous as you were before becoming a mom. Healthy habits are difficult to maintain in our fast-paced world because we expect every aspect of our lives to happen instantly. With all the technological resources we have at our finger tips we never have to wait for anything. One exception should be your health. Like it or not, waiting is what you have to do if you want to see changes in your health. There are so many changes you can make in your life that can help you get on the right track. I've written about some of my favorite ways to stay healthy, and I hope they work for you like they've worked for me.
1. Walking- This is one of the easiest activities you can do to get your health on the right path. Walk with a friend around your neighborhood, walk your dog to a local dog park, go on a walk with your kid(s) on a nature trail, or take your baby for a walk in a stroller. If you have the time I would suggest walking for an hour a day, but if you can only get out of the house a few times a week that's okay too. I was recently in Italy and every evening the locals would stroll the streets before dinner on what's call a passeggaiata (which is a slow walk). The entire family participates in these. Get your whole family to take a stroll before dinner. It will be a great way for everyone to bond, and you'll get some exercise!
2. Eat fiber- If you're really busy and just don't have a lot of time to snack all day, you should think about eating a fiber rich breakfast. My favorite thing to eat in the mornings is Quaker Oats Weight Control oatmeal. It's quick, easy, and they have different flavors. It has 6 grams of fiber, and, I kid-you-not, it keeps me satisfied for several hours! Now, I'm not telling you to starve yourself, so if your hungry go-ahead and eat some fruit. Another great benefit of fiber is that it lowers cholesterol and reduces your risk of heart disease.
3. Drink lots and lots of water- This is really important because you can't always distinguish between hunger and thirst cues. Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day will prevent you from munching when you should be keeping hydrated. If you're not a big water drinker try Omega to Go. Just mix a packet in your water and you're ready to go! They taste terrific, and they're great for using in a water bottle.
4. Take the stairs- I know everyone has heard this before, but it's an excellent alternative if you can't make it to the gym everyday. If you work on the 50th floor, don't kill yourself hiking up all those steps. Instead, tell yourself you'll walk up or down 4 or 5 flight then take the elevator. Increase the number of flights you take by 1 every week or every two weeks. You'll forget that you're working out, and you'll have toned legs in no time!
5. Eat almonds- These are my absolute favorite in-between meal snack. Eating whole, raw almonds has many health benefits including lowering your cholesterol. Ignore the high calorie count and stick to about 2 ounces a day. Almonds are the perfect on-the-go snack. Just toss a handful or two in a bag and you're ready to go. Also try almond butter instead of peanut butter. It's delicious!
Stick to these small tips and you'll notice changes in yourself. From experience I've learned that once you start eating healthy and exercising a little, you'll love the way you feel so much you'll adopt new habits. You might notice that you choose healthier options in a restaurant as opposed to something you may have normally ordered. Don't give up because you deserve to feel like a goddess!
*Note: These are solely suggestions based on the author's personal opinion
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