Best health tips for moms
With a bouncing baby or toddler in tow, sneaking in time to whip up nutritious meals or go out for a run may seem like a luxury. That doesn't mean you can't be a healthy mama — after all, you need all the energy you can get! Luckily, these WTE moms have a few tricks for eating well and getting in shape without budget-busting gym memberships or pricey meal plans. So read on for surprisingly simple ways you can become healthier — no matter how busy you are.
Snack Smartly
"I have a really bad habit of picking at food when I am making dinner. By the time I'd sit down at the dinner table I'd already consumed a bunch of calories. I wised up and now leave a bag of cut-up celery sticks on the counter. This way I keep my mouth busy with a healthy snack and avoid the extra calories."
Lift Weights the Right Way
"If you're going to start a weight training program, don't go all out, lifting weights for every body part, or you're going to hurt and won't want to do it again! Do your research and find a program that works for you. Use some light weights and work up to heavier ones. There are so many wonderful free plans out there for beginners. Pretty soon you'll learn to love weight training!"
Wrap it Up
"Lettuce wraps are awesome. I even have hamburger lettuce wraps. I leave off the ketchup because of the added sugar! What are lettuce wraps? Just grab a head of Boston lettuce (or romaine — any lettuce that is fairly bigger), lay it out and put a scoop of your likings, add a few toppings of your preference, try to avoid heavy condiments, and roll it up."
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
"It's easy to lose focus, especially if you have a serious and challenging goal ahead of you like losing 50 pounds. Negative thoughts and temptations can make you lose sight of what you really want. You can't let small things get to you or let people talk you out of it. Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you."
Drink Up
"For optimal health, I learned that you're supposed to drink water instead of sugary drinks. That's because regular soda, energy or sports drinks, and other sweet drinks usually contain a lot of added sugar, which provides more calories than needed. Easy enough! I've only been doing this for a few days, and I already don't want sugary drinks. In fact, I have a can of Diet Dr. Pepper that I opened two days ago in my fridge, and it's still only about half gone. I just don't want it."
Find Free Workouts
"Most cable providers have 'on demand' content. Look through there. I use Comcast, and I recently discovered an entire fitness section. They have workouts like yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing. It's perfect because I get to try out different programs, and I don't have to pay anything for them."
Learn to Love Breakfast
"Breakfast does not have to be a breakfast food. Just don't skip it no matter what, and remember to include a protein. If you want to have coffee and a peanut butter sandwich on whole-wheat bread or a grilled chicken breast on a salad, your body doesn't care as long as your taste buds don't."
Let it Out
"Someone bothering you? Got a gripe? Is your patience running low? Whenever I've got something on my mind, I pour my frustration into my workout. It gets it all out and helps me get through the day as a happier person. Plus, the intensity of my workout is always increased on those occasions."