Moms of today are truly incredible. Days are jam packed with caring for
families, home, helping friends, running to and from sporting events, taking
care of elderly parents and some moms work outside the home as well. Moms of
today live very physically demanding lives. Yet how many of you take the time
to give the very best care to your bodies that goes non-stop? When you make
your "to do" list prioritizing and scheduling important things for the day or
week ahead, is there a block of time set aside every day for you? Do you make
sure your body gets the good nutrition it needs to keep you healthy and strong?
If you make time to exercise and eat right here are some great benefits that you
will enjoy:
Ø More Energy
Ø Decrease Stress
Ø Improve Posture
Ø Tone and Firm Your Body
Ø Increase Your Metabolism (i.e., burn more calories!)
Ø Sleep Better
Ø Make Yours Bones Strong
Ø Live Longer!
Of course being a mom presents the very real challenge of finding time to
workout. Keep these ideas in mind for those days you simply cannot fit in half
an hour of time for yourself. Go outside with your kids and play a game of tag,
Frisbee, or football, you'll get a great workout. Or take the kids and their
bikes and go out for a ride or to the closest school and let them ride their
bikes around the track while you power walk or run. If your baby is still in a
carriage go for a brisk walk, you will return rejuvenated and refreshed.
Remember you don' have to do 30 consecutive minutes of cardio to receive
benefits -- three 10 minute sessions equal the same.
If you find some time without the kids, don't pick up that phone and start
chatting, go pick up your friend and walk while you talk. Is there a favorite
TV show you watch? Instead of sitting on the couch try these easy "no equipment
needed" exercises. 1 set of 8 repetitions for each exercise equals 1 circuit,
do three circuits for a great workout in 30 minutes:
Ø tricep dips
Ø bicep curls (holding two bottles of water is great for resistance)
Ø lunges
Ø pushups
Ø squats
Ø crunches
Sensible eating and good nutrition are also necessary for good health and
vitality. Here are some easy ways to eat healthier.
Ø Drink 6-8 classes of water every day. Keep a bottle of water with you
at all times. It will help cleanse your body of impurities and keep you
hydrated.
Ø For a quick healthy snack, put pre-washed and cut veggies in snack bags
in the fridge. &nb sp; Ø Eat small meals every three hours
Ø Make Trail Mix (nuts, seeds and dried fruit), pre-measure for portion
control (1/2 cup) and put in a snack bag. This is great for energy and a quick, sweet and
satisfying snack on the go.
Ø Nature is a wonderful thing - a piece of fresh fruit is always the
perfect serving size.
Remember, choices you make every day will affect how you feel today and in the
future. Stay fit!
Christina Matthews is a Certified Personal Trainer
Copyright 2007, Christina Matthews. All rights reserved.
