Oh Mamas! Our health.
Something so important, ESPECIALLY as mamas but something we often put on the back burner. We get so consumed with taking care of our families, homes, and fulfilling other responsibilities we neglect aspects of our own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. All three facets of our health are interconnected, thus when we neglect one all three suffer.
Let's start with physical health. It seems to be one we often tell ourselves, "there will be time for this later". Will there?
Before you groan in protest thinking I'm here to lecture you: I'm not. I understand it's hard to find the time and energy for exercise and meal planning. Truly. I've been sleep deprived, up to my elbows in diapers and bottles, while also trying to keep it together at work when your heart is at home. You've been there. I've been there. I still am sometimes. I survived the first three months of my daughter's life on leftovers from her two year old brothers' plates. My exercise consisted of wrangling a colicky infant, twin two year old boys, and a Medela.
May I suggest when we take care of our health through healthy eating and exercise we are better mothers, better wives. We're just better.
It often takes some creativity and thinking outside the box. That's for sure. But our children are watching. Leading by example is the best way to teach them healthy living.
I used to think my "post children" workout had to look like my "pre children" workout. It doesn't and it's often an unrealistic expectation. There are times we will be able to train for that race. Go for it! You may have a gym nearby with reliable and safe childcare. Great! If not, please don't give up.
Find a walking buddy. It could even be your children. (No judging when you see a mama with children on leashes!) Limited by logistics of outdoor exercise by age or number of children? YouTube has access to tons of free exercise videos. Everything from interval training, core, to walking at home is only a couple clicks away. A friend introduced me to Fitness Blender, which has pretty much any type of equipment free workout for any length of time you need. You don't need a huge space. (Space is an issue here. I've literally worked out with children crawling all over me. Whatever works!)
I've always enjoyed running and gym workouts. But for the current phase, I've found the online videos have really been a great supplement. Practical. (Even if I had a gym with childcare the thought of getting all of us ready and loaded up for a trip to the gym wears me out before I ever get there.) Interestingly enough, my kids love these online workouts. For the past week at least one of my children has daily said, "Mommy, I want to exercise. Can we do a movie?" Talk about accountability! And this is AFTER we've already biked, walked, or ran the neighborhood! They are 3, 5, and 5!
Just a piece of friendly advice: young children may be resistant to or even terrified of Richard Simmons!
Equally important as exercise is how we fuel our bodies. We can't out train a bad diet. If you know me, you know I love me some popcorn and ice cream just as much, if not more than the next gal. But when our diet consists primarily of whole foods with minimal processed foods we will feel SO MUCH better. Something I often tell patients is "If you can hunt it, fish it, grow it, pick it, gather it, then eat it." If it has to be created (aka processed) in a factory before coming to us (aka the carbs and ice cream!) it's not likely the most nutritious choice.
In no way am I trying to discourage any of you. I need to be reminded of this too! I don't want anyone to feel less than or as though they just aren't cutting it. I say this because there have been times I would feel that way after reading something such as this. Ladies, we're too hard on ourselves!
The purpose in writing this is to edify each other so we can , together, glorify God and bless our families.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Something so important, ESPECIALLY as mamas but something we often put on the back burner. We get so consumed with taking care of our families, homes, and fulfilling other responsibilities we neglect aspects of our own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. All three facets of our health are interconnected, thus when we neglect one all three suffer.
Let's start with physical health. It seems to be one we often tell ourselves, "there will be time for this later". Will there?
Before you groan in protest thinking I'm here to lecture you: I'm not. I understand it's hard to find the time and energy for exercise and meal planning. Truly. I've been sleep deprived, up to my elbows in diapers and bottles, while also trying to keep it together at work when your heart is at home. You've been there. I've been there. I still am sometimes. I survived the first three months of my daughter's life on leftovers from her two year old brothers' plates. My exercise consisted of wrangling a colicky infant, twin two year old boys, and a Medela.
May I suggest when we take care of our health through healthy eating and exercise we are better mothers, better wives. We're just better.
It often takes some creativity and thinking outside the box. That's for sure. But our children are watching. Leading by example is the best way to teach them healthy living.
I used to think my "post children" workout had to look like my "pre children" workout. It doesn't and it's often an unrealistic expectation. There are times we will be able to train for that race. Go for it! You may have a gym nearby with reliable and safe childcare. Great! If not, please don't give up.
Find a walking buddy. It could even be your children. (No judging when you see a mama with children on leashes!) Limited by logistics of outdoor exercise by age or number of children? YouTube has access to tons of free exercise videos. Everything from interval training, core, to walking at home is only a couple clicks away. A friend introduced me to Fitness Blender, which has pretty much any type of equipment free workout for any length of time you need. You don't need a huge space. (Space is an issue here. I've literally worked out with children crawling all over me. Whatever works!)I've always enjoyed running and gym workouts. But for the current phase, I've found the online videos have really been a great supplement. Practical. (Even if I had a gym with childcare the thought of getting all of us ready and loaded up for a trip to the gym wears me out before I ever get there.) Interestingly enough, my kids love these online workouts. For the past week at least one of my children has daily said, "Mommy, I want to exercise. Can we do a movie?" Talk about accountability! And this is AFTER we've already biked, walked, or ran the neighborhood! They are 3, 5, and 5!
Just a piece of friendly advice: young children may be resistant to or even terrified of Richard Simmons!
Equally important as exercise is how we fuel our bodies. We can't out train a bad diet. If you know me, you know I love me some popcorn and ice cream just as much, if not more than the next gal. But when our diet consists primarily of whole foods with minimal processed foods we will feel SO MUCH better. Something I often tell patients is "If you can hunt it, fish it, grow it, pick it, gather it, then eat it." If it has to be created (aka processed) in a factory before coming to us (aka the carbs and ice cream!) it's not likely the most nutritious choice.
In no way am I trying to discourage any of you. I need to be reminded of this too! I don't want anyone to feel less than or as though they just aren't cutting it. I say this because there have been times I would feel that way after reading something such as this. Ladies, we're too hard on ourselves!
The purpose in writing this is to edify each other so we can , together, glorify God and bless our families.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
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