Despite this week’s weather, summer really is just around the corner. Many moms lament not having their pre-child bodies, but instead of feeling bad about not looking like you used to, do what you can to feel good about how you look now.
If you’d like to get in better shape and/or take off a few pounds before getting into a bathing suit, this is the time to take action. Everyone knows that diet and exercise are the keys to weight loss, but you’ll give yourself the best odds of success if you eschew drastic changes in lieu of one or two small sustainable changes at a time. If you take a “baby steps” approach, you’re much more likely to stick with it. Even if your weight is fine, better health and fitness is always a good goal.
Here are some specific actions you could try:
Exercise:
- Add one workout per week to your schedule
- Increase each workout you now do by 5-10 minutes
- Treat yourself to a few sessions with a personal trainer
- Try a new class, either at the gym or with an outside group (Stroller Strides, Baby Boot Camp, etc.), to make your routine more interesting
- Join a Meetup group that promotes fitness; in the Sacramento area, options include a group for hiking with children and a family Zumba group, among others
- Put your child in a stroller and take a power walk for a few minutes each day, even for a short distance
Diet:
- Cut out as much sugar and processed food from your diet as you can; this may be difficult, but any steps in this direction will be beneficial
- Keep lots of fresh fruit on hand, and replace between-meal snacks with fruit
- Drink a glass of water whenever you think about it; sometimes thirst masks as hunger, so keeping hydrated can actually make you feel less hungry
- Write down every single thing you eat for a few days; this will make you more aware of what you eat, and probably help you make better choices too, especially if you do this with a friend and agree to show your lists to each other
- Eat throughout the day; this keeps you from getting too hungry, keeps your energy level on an even keel, and is better for your metabolism
- To read an informative article with more good dietary tips, click here
Lifestyle:
- Try to limit fast food; keep enough food at home to throw together quick meals when you need to
- When you’re eating, eat; when you multitask and watch TV or otherwise distract yourself, you tend to eat more without realizing it
- Get enough sleep; when you’re tired, you may feel hungry because your body needs more energy. If you have a baby, ample sleep may not be possible, but nap when you can and try not to get overly exhausted
- If better fitness is your aim, set a longer-range goal to keep you motivated; commit to a marathon or half-marathon, a strenuous hike (Half Dome, Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta), a 25- or 50-mile bike ride, or anything that will give you a reason to get in better shape
- For an article listing food comparisons, more lifestyle issues and lots of weight-loss resources, click here.
If you can drop two pounds a week you’ll have shed ten pounds by Memorial Day, which for most women is a full clothing size. Good luck!
Your assignment: Commit to one positive change relating to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle. Even if weight loss isn’t an issue for you, think about a change that would make you (and your family) more healthy. This is one area where there’s almost always a little room for improvement.
