Eating a balanced healthy diet and exercising regularly are essential if you want to lead a productive, healthy and happy life. And I mean that, they are essential. You can’t feed your body junk and expect peak performance. But if you are an active mom, more than likely that is exactly what you expect; peak performance and unlimited endurance, indefinitely. We want constant output; for minimal input. You can do this for a while, but ultimately, something has to give. And that something may be your health, your relationships, your self esteem, your waistline, your youthfulness and more.
So many mothers I speak to feel that being a good mother means giving up any sense of self and being willing to give up everything and anything for their kids. They feel that they can’t take for themselves or it will take away from their kids. What they don’t realize is that the opposite couldn’t be truer. The happier and healthier you are as a mom, the happier and healthier your kids will be as a result. As much attention as we pay to our precious ones I don’t think any of us have any idea how closely we too are being watched. As much as we try, it is very difficult to shelter our kids from our bad habits; if we do it, chances are they will to. So, if you really want to be a good mom you have to invest time in yourself. If you want to be valued, you have to value yourself.
Ultimately, only you can take care of you. The most challenging part of this can be getting started. If you are not accustomed to directing some of your thought and energy towards yourself it may actually feel uncomfortable. Notice and acknowledge how you feel. Do you experience guilt? Do you feel selfish? Whatever it is, just be aware of it. You don’t need to analyze or judge it just notice it. Then decide where in your life you could use some more balance. Do you exercise daily? Do you eat regular healthy meals? Do you drink enough water? Do you ever just relax or socialize without the kids? Start with one area of your life, decide realistically what you are going to do to strive towards a healthy balance and then be disciplined about implementing it into your day to day. In other words, commit to including your self as a high priority and commit to it no matter what! To establish a new way of being or thinking requires repeated, deliberate action for an extended period of time. Once you experience the benefits and adjust your routine around the new direction you have chosen, it can become second nature and effortless.
If you know that your diet is one area that could use a makeover then don’t miss my next three articles where I will be providing you numerous new strategies, delicious new recipe ideas and helpful tips how you can eat well and be well, so that you can have boundless energy, a beautiful body, glowing skin and a healthy mind.
One of the keys to eating well in a busy life is to plan ahead and to be realistic about what you will and won’t do. So many people strive to be perfect and it just isn’t possible, choose a strategy and be consistent with it. Once it is ingrained as a habit then add a new healthy habit to your repertoire. Keeping fruit at your desk is an excellent idea. As is small bags of raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts etc.
I find this the biggest challenge of the whole “balance” equation. I am so busy that I often either don’t eat or make bad choices. Sometimes all I eat are my kids left over bits!
For me, the biggest challenge is time. Someone suggested I put a fruit basket beside my computer at my desk so that I have it there all day and have no excuses. I’m going to give this a try!