Hello, it’s me again. Life is going about 250mph thanks to being a mother to two under two, a wife to a great, supportive husband, and full-time employee for our local government. Finding time to workout has been a struggle, but like everything else in life, it’s about balance. Some weeks are better than others. Sometimes snuggling with a sick baby and bathing a food-covered toddler takes precedence over finding an hour at night to lift weights. Other times, my only workout for the day is babywearing both kids at the same time.
However, one area I can control every day is my diet.
The first few months after giving birth is like the Twilight Zone to the body. After both of my pregnancies I lost pregnancy-gained weight within days of giving birth (lucky, I know), kept losing thanks to nursing, then slowly started to gain it all back, and more, once a comfortable nursing pattern was reached. Whether you are nursing, pregnant, or being the best mom you can be, it’s important to feed your body to keep your energy up and allow yourself to be the best mom you can be to your children.
Meal planning has to happen.
My husband and I sit down every weekend and decide on our family dinners. We tend to favor quick cast-iron skillet meals or slow cooker recipes. We often choose one or two nights to enjoy take out from one of Chattanooga’s yummy restaurants so we don’t get too bored of our at-home meals. Lupi’s is a Sadler family favorite! I also make a list of foods I need for breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the week. I keep it simple and tend to eat the same breakfast and lunch every day until I get tired of them. Planning my meals ensures that I eat when I should and don’t pull through the drive-thru when I’m too tired to figure out what we want to eat.
I have to remind myself that in order to lose weight, I have to eat.
Seems counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Your body actually needs calories to jump start your metabolism and burn calories. Some people benefit from eating 5-6 mini meals a day. Three standards meals and two snacks work best for me due to my daily schedule. I try to tune into my body as often as possible to get a sense of whether I’m truly hungry. If I drink a glass of water and am still hungry, I will nibble on a small snack like a piece of fruit or handful of nuts. If I’m still hungry, I know it’s time to eat my next meal or snack on something heartier like rice cakes topped with peanut butter, banana, and cinnamon.
Involve your family, especially your kids, when it comes to making meals and snacks.
My toddler is almost 2.5 years old and loves to help my in the kitchen. I let her pour measured ingredients into bowls and stir when needed. We love to make energy bites together. They are delicious for a hungry toddler or a nursing mama.
Choose wisely when it comes to convenience.
Gold’s Gym has so many convenient amenities making it a perfect choice for any busy mama. They have flexible childcare hours, 24/7 facility hours, multiple classes available throughout the day and night, and a variety of equipment that works with anyone’s fitness goal or level. They also have an area near the check-in desk where you can grab a quick snack or drink before you begin your workout or after a sweaty session. My favorite go-to item is a Quest Bar. They are full of protein and are the perfect snack between working out and dinner. I have to hide these from my toddler or she’ll bug me until I give her a bite. My body has accomplished so much in the last 28 years and counting. I remind myself daily that I should thank it by fueling it with what it needs and allowing it to get the weekly activities it deserves.
