Life these days feels busy for everyone, but women and moms often bear the burden of an even busier schedule thanks to the demands of their little ones, careers, housework, and more.
For many moms, taking care of yourself comes last. It’s our innate nature to care for others before we do the same for ourselves. However, as the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.”
I know firsthand how crazy busy life can be and the thought of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise plan can feel daunting, to say the least. But it doesn’t need to be so scary. You can achieve and maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle with just a few small tweaks to your day.
Here are my top 5 health and fitness tips for busy women and moms.
#1: Wake Up Earlier Than The Rest of Your Family
If you’re not a morning person, you may be thinking “take a hike, I need my sleep!” The truth is, we all need our sleep, but I don’t believe there is such a thing as a morning person or not. I think it’s all about how we structure our days, our ability to adapt and change, and our desire to prioritize.
If having some “me time” is important to you but you’re struggling to find that time in your day, then you need to get honest with yourself and figure out where you can make that time. For many people, it’s in the morning.
Waking up just one hour or 30 minutes earlier than normal can allow you some time to journal, sip a cup of coffee in peace, workout, listen to a podcast, read a book, etc. Go to bed early and wake up later. It’s worth it, I promise.
#2: Prioritize Sleep
As I said, we all need sleep, but we don’t necessarily make it a priority and it may be doing more damage to your health than you think. Lack of sleep can interfere with your weight loss goals, ability to focus and concentrate, and of course, your mood.
You should be getting at least 7-8 hours per night. So this means that you may have to forgo your nightly Netflix binge or mindless Instagram scroll. You’ll be ok without those things, and within just a few days, you’ll begin to feel the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
For mama’s with little babies who don’t sleep through the night, I know this may be difficult. Do the best you can in the season you’re in, it won’t last forever.
#3: Water, Water, Water
You know your body needs water and that it’s good for you, but are you getting it in? So many women struggle with drinking enough water throughout the day. And I get it, you’re running around all over the place, it’s hard to remember to eat some days let alone drink a gallon of water.
The best way to make sure your body is getting what it needs is to buy a large jug and carry it around with you. “Lug your jug!”
#4: Cut Back On Alcohol
This may be a touchy subject because I know we all enjoy a release after a long day in the office or spent with the kids, but too much alcohol can be detrimental to your health and your fitness goals.
That harmless glass of wine or two you’re consuming every night adds up. Not only can it foil your weight loss goals, but it can also interfere with your sleep, eating habits, ability to focus, hydration, motivation, and mood.
Start paying attention to how much you’re drinking throughout the week. Whether you have a drink every night or reserve your drinks for the weekend, indulging more than you should in a sitting, it’s doing more harm than good. Try cutting back and seeing how you feel. You may be surprised by the clarity and energy you experience as a result.
#5: Workout the Way YOU Want
For some reason, we’ve decided that working out and moving our body is a chore, something we need to do but don’t really want to. We have to change our mindset around exercise. It’s not something we have to do, it’s something we GET to do!
If you’re drudging out the door, running a few miles every morning and hating every single second of it, stop doing it. If you don’t enjoy a particular form of exercise, find something you do enjoy. This should not be torture! When you find something you love, which you will, it’ll become one of the best parts of your day.
Wrapping Up
That’s it! Five actionable tips that you can implement into your daily routine today and see major improvements almost instantly. Maintaining your own health and wellness during motherhood is not selfish. In fact, it’s the opposite of selfish, it’s a necessity.
Take care of yourself and you’ll be better equipped to take care of your family.
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