::Momma Disclosure:: { The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content. I am also not a healthcare professional, the statements below are simply from experience and may not work for everyone, some people may require a medical doctors opinion before beginning a new fitness regimen. }
It happens to the best of us!
We get on a health binge and then slowly start to fall off the wagon. It's normal, we have busy lives filled with work, children, bosses, and well everyday life situations. As a Momma it's never easy to stick to one routine or a routine at all. Most my days no matter how organized and scheduled I want to be are thrown off with just about anything.
In the last few months, sadly, I am one of those people that not only fell of the wagon but jumped off and ran! I know. Shame. Thankfully, I have learned the ways to get back to on track and help me fight the lazies I have been feeling lately.
It's so important to have the support of your family, so if you are married and/or have kids make sure you announce it to them. That you will be starting a new health routine and you want everyone to help and stick to it. It helps to know you are not alone.
1. Create a weekly meal plan; there are so many websites out there with great everyday easy meals, Molina Healthcare provides great expert advice and tips for eating healthy and staying fit. It's a great quick reference. I then make my shopping lists based on the ideas that I find. And, then plan out my weekly meals. It helps SO much!
2. Have plenty of healthy snacks; One of the things that I know about myself is that if I don't bring good healthy snacks I will turn to the vending machine. We have another snack room but the food there is so expensive. So, I buy things like cheese sticks, yogurt, and fruits like bananas or apples. It is a sure way for me to stay away from junk food or spending too much on expensive snacks that I can buy for cheaper at the grocery store. A great place for ideas is Molina Healthcare .
3. Drink a lot of water; A lot! It helps you feel full and is so good for detox! I hear so many different recommendations. Drinking half your weight or a gallon a day or 8 glasses a day, or twice that amount if you are super active. I do as much as I can and I set a goal for myself. 4 bottles in an 8 hour work day and 2 after work. Something simple I know I will be able to keep up with.
4. Workout for at least 30 minutes a day; Hard I know. But, start slow. When I have to get back in shape I start with a 30 minute walk. Again I give myself a goal, small one, and go from there. I for example calculate that 30 minutes is a few blocks down from my house and a lap around the trail and back home. I then build on that or start thinking of it in mileage. I was up to 5 miles a or more a day. A great way to keep track of this and be motivated is by using a step-counter. There are so many. I used a simple $20.00 one from the nearest grocery store. Unitl I threw it in the washer one too many times. Start small and go big!
5. Keep a photo journal for motivation; YES, PHOTOS. I take them with my cell phone and then refer to them when I want to see progress or in my case now, when I want to get back on track. What you look like impacts how you feel. I know that if I think I look good in pictures, I feel amazing. Trust me, it's hard. I don't want to look at most my pictures but when I do it helps me be reminded of where I started and how far I have gone.
6. Create a support group; In my case I created a small FB group where I added ladies who were also trying to be healthy and stay fit. It has REALLY helped, those ladies are amazing. Most of them are Momma's themselves and they have the best advice and supportive words! We are in it together and it makes me feel like I am not alone in this journey and like I can ask for motivation when needed. It doesn't have to be on FB it can be a friend, a cousin, a Sister, a neighbor; anyone you feel comfortable sharing with and who you know will keep you accountable. That is so important!
7. Accountability partner; I have one or two friends who I email or text daily. It is so important to have that 1 person who is truly supporting you and wants to see you succeed. They will push you when you are not feeling motivated and they will remind you that you don't have to give up. It's such a great way to move forward on days when you just can't. Feeling accountable to that person will be motivation in itself, personally I don't want to disappoint my friends so I try to complete those tasks that I say I will do! Of course this should not be a stressful situation and that person should be positive and supportive anything is just not worth it.
8. Set goals; write it down, I am a very visual person so I have to have things written down. I am a sort of a list maker. Start small,like I will walk 30 minutes this week, drink more water and cut out fries. Then check your goals monthly, are you reaching your weekly goals and which can you increase and how can you surpass your previous goals. You can make lists cross off items and make new lists with bigger and better goals. BUT, don't worry if you don't reach all your goals in a week or a month, fitness is a constant job. Be fit and staying healthy is an every day one step at a time kind of lifestyle. You should be ready on every level; mentally, physically and emotionally.
9. Have fun! I always say...it's not that serious. Whatever your "it" maybe, it really isn't. Working out should not be a chore and if you no longer enjoy it that you should take a break. Doing something you really like as part of your work out is important, it will keep you motivated and easier to make this a good happy time. You don't want to burn yourself out though, having a varied routine that YOU like is important. There should be a good balance that you agree upon and want to do!
10. Make some time to relax and rest; it's so important. I often forget to rest and just relax and become so involved in doing that I end up stressing out about having to workout. You should want to work out and if you feel like you need a break then take one. You know your body better than anyone. You don't want to cause yourself harm and you want to be in full balance of body, mind and spirit. Otherwise you will not be engaged long and it will result in frustrating ups and downs. So, make sure you schedule some down time into your schedule and follow through with it.
As mentioned before, this process is an everyday job. You must work on it everyday. And, if you fall off track well simply start over! No biggie. No one has a set timeline for you and you will know when and how to start.
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