This week’s special guest is Shira Nelson Founder/Creator of Mom Beyond Baby
Being a mom is a gift. It is by far the most rewarding job in the world. It is also selfless. I remember when I first became pregnant. All of a sudden, my decisions were no longer just about me and what I wanted. I was already thinking of that little person inside. The choices I made were not just about me, they were about what was best for my little girl that I was growing.
We all want the best for our children. I truly believe that we as moms want to give, nurture and take care of our children the best we can. While some days are harder than others, just knowing that we are in fact doing our best makes our “job” a little less scary.
Part of being the best mom you can be is taking care of you. I know it sounds impossible for some, because where do you find the time? Or maybe it seems selfish? We have worked all day and then come home to workout and not spend every second we have with our kids? Or what about the household chores? How will we do that too? I get that. The little time we do have, we want to spend it being a mom. Doing whatever that means to us because that is in fact our most important job. Yes?
So many moms go through each day doing everything for everyone else and never stop to think about themselves. For whatever reasons, life gets in the way and they immediately put ourselves on the back burner.
But what about us? If we don’t take care of us, then who will? Do we just hope that we can make it through being tired, feeling frumpy and eating whatever? Do we hope that our kids will grow up to eat healthy and see exercise as a way of life if we don’t put it on our list of priorities?
Does it work that way?
I think it’s important to note that we all have the same amount of time in the day. While each person has a different set of circumstances, there is some truth to the fact that we make time for what matters.
Taking care of you is by far the best thing you can do for your kids and your family. We all know how we feel when we exercise. We get that endorphin high, that energy burst, that feeling of not being so stuffed in our clothes. While we can easily try to push those feelings aside when we don’t have time, we definitely notice a difference in our mood, our patience and our ability to keep up with our kids when we do in fact take care of us. When you do take care of you, you are a mom “beyond baby.”
What does taking care of us mean?
When I mention the healthy mom lifestyle, I am not talking about prepping food for hours, or spending an hour in the gym. I am talking about doing simple daily tasks that help you be a fit and healthy mom. You can be both of those times without a lot of extra time. This goes beyond getting ripped or shredded. Nothing wrong with those goals but that takes far more time and energy than I would like to spend in this area of my life.
I am talking about taking a walk, making movement a priority, thinking or being mindful about what you are eating and how it serves your body. Just a few simple things to make you feel and look your best.
Some people are obsessed with getting their body back to pre-pregnancy and others have completely stopped trying because of time, energy, motivation etc.
I am all about balance. I am about finding that balance between obsession and not doing anything. For me and the hundreds of moms I work with, the key is consistency. Choosing one task to focus on everyday. And then adding another when the first one becomes habit. Taking the timeline and expectation of where you *think* you need to be and do what works for you and your life.
Here are three very simple tasks to try. Each task will help you move towards becoming a mom “beyond baby.”
- Aim for 3L of water everyday. Carry a bottle around with you. Your skin, hunger and energy will thank you.
- Prioritize protein. We as women need protein. Focus on getting your protein in at every meal.
- Be realistic with your exercise goals. Fat loss exercise is not about time. It is about intensity. If you are just starting, aim for 10 minutes of strength training or sprints 2 times a week. Then add more. Your goal should be to do the least amount of actual exercise and then focus on moving daily. Embrace walking 🙂
Try one of those tasks I listed above and see how you do. As always let me know on the MomBeyondBaby Facebook Page.
p.s. The Healthy Mom Lifestylers Club is opening December 26th. This is a club for busy moms who want a coach and a group of moms to help them find that balance. It is a club for fat loss, exercise, lifestyle and everything you need to become a mom “beyond baby.” Click here to grab a spot on the waitlist.