Resolutions that Last a Lifetime

The start of 2015 is here and there is a lot of chatter about New Year’s Resolutions. Today signifies the day to start the year off with a clean slate. For many it does not matter what the year previously looked like, it is all a new opportunity from here on out till next January 1. It feels good right? It is so freeing to have this clean slate to start over and have a fresh beginning. But then what happens? Come February old habits starts to trickle in. You know this because if you go to the gym often you see a spike in population and by the middle of February your designated spaces have opened up again. There are even less people in the vegetable aisle too! Just watch you will notice if you have not before.

Resolutions sadly last a short period of time. They are great motivators but have little lasting effects. However, I have found resolutions that last an entire lifetime and can stay around through a third lifetime. If you are planning to start a family or if you are expecting, read on! This could be your most effective New Year Resolution you have ever made.

Starting prior to conception your health begins the foundation of your baby’s development. Establishing or obtaining a healthier lifestyle at least 3 months prior to conception is optimal. These 3 months allow you to be in the optimal range of vitamins and minerals and therefore less likely to be nutrient deficient in your first trimester. This will allow you to have the confidence that you have given your baby the best foundation to develop. This also applies to the men out there! Another bonus is the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle through pregnancy is much easier because you already have the hang of it and don’t feel you have to make changes quick at what seems to be a moment’s notice.

When you get pregnant or if you are, don’t fear if you did not have 3 months of an established healthier lifestyle under your belt. There is still time! Keep in mind the remaining 9 months are crucial for your resolution to last a lifetime and even last to the third generation. Everything you do and are exposed to from eating, physical activity, your stress levels, and toxins have a direct impact on your baby’s development. I am not talking necessarily about their outside physical appearance. I am talking about how their body will physiologically function and thrive.  Everything you do or come in contact with sends little biological messages to the cells of your developing baby telling them how they need to develop for the world outside of the womb.

To help you with your 2015 resolution (s) I have compiled 3 common New Year’s Resolutions and put a new spin on them.

Eat healthier:

• Establishing a healthy lifestyle 3 months prior to conception increases your chance of fertility and decreases the risk of miscarriage. (For men and woman alike)

 

• Malnutrition during pregnancy alters the development of the baby’s heart and other organs as well, resulting in an increased risk of these babies’ having heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, hip replacements, and even certain cancers when in adulthood.

 

• Probiotics and prebiotics are also highly important for life long immunity building starting in their developmental stages in the womb. Make sure to get them into your daily intake of foods.

Be more physically active:

• Babies born to mothers who are physically active during pregnancy have an increase in cerebral activation. This means the baby’s brain has developed quicker and has more neural activity.

 

• These babies have also been shown to handle stress better than those of mothers who were not physically active.

 

• These babies also have improved development of the Respiratory System and Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord for processing information) when compared to babies born from mothers who were not physically active.

 

• The babies born to active mothers also show enhanced development in their fetal cardiovascular system. This means right from the start they have better cardio health because their mother is physically active.

Make time for loved ones:

• Listen to your body it knows what it is doing (yes, I consider your body as a loved one). Studies have shown during the second half of pregnancy, the baby moves approximately once per minute. You only feel about 16% of these movements however, your nervous system responds to every single movement. This maternal-fetal interaction is a way to prime you to know your baby’s signals and respond to their needs after birth.

 

• Surrounding yourself with loved ones decreases anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that when maternal stress levels are consistently raised higher than their normal stress levels, their baby’s brain is being wired and primed to be more sensitive to stressful situations. This also makes them more susceptible to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia as they get older.

 

• When your baby is born the dynamic of your relationship with your spouse will change. Make sure you let each other know how much you mean to each other and make plans to keep in each other’s focus when your baby arrives. You need to remain partners and not turn into caregiving friends.

 

• Make time for yourself. You are going through a lot of changes that are amazing but can feel overwhelming at times. Find time to reconnect with things that make you happy and relaxed. Make a plan to keep connected to these things when your baby comes so you have time to reconnect with yourself. This is healthy not selfish 🙂

 

This year my resolution has nothing to do with me, in fact it has everything to do with you and your resolutions. I am here to help you make health a family legacy that you pass down to your baby. If you want 1:1 attention and guidance to making lifestyle changes to improve your baby’s health development email me here!

Remember to connect with me and other planning and expecting parents on Facebook and Twitter 🙂

Cheers to a happy and healthy new year and years to come!