March 8th is International Women’s Day and what a great opportunity this presents to celebrate the diversity, joy and strength of women everywhere. What a great opportunity to also look inward. In celebration of YOU, this month and always, let’s start to make those changes slowly. Here are three ideas for simplifying your life and achieving a greater wellness:
We are hard on ourselves. We see our bodies post-childbirth and we do not marvel at the herculean strength we just mustered but feel aghast at how our stomach pouches or our butts and breasts sag. We stand over the kitchen sink with our toddler running circles around our legs while we shovel in their leftover lunch and call it OUR meal.
We sit on the couch each night, drained of energy by 8pm, mindlessly snacking on our husband’s greasy potato chips and hoping for a jolt of liveliness from our can of diet soda so we can finish cleaning the house, tackling the laundry or making school lunches. Sex is the furthest thing from our minds, even if our husbands are looking on hopefully. We are running our daughters to soccer, our sons to karate, and thinking our bowel movements are inconvenient, so why not just hold them in? We are stressed to the max, wound so tightly that a three-year old’s whine can send us through the roof! We know we need a change, but we are unsure of how exactly to start making a difference. We would do anything for our kids, we take their health very seriously, but seem unable to help ourselves to better food, more energy and an overall happier, more confident self.
1. Get Up Before Your Kids
Maybe you gasped when you read this: really, you want me to get up BEFORE my kids? You need to grab 10 minutes to yourself each morning to set yourself for the day. Make yourself a warm cup of water with lemon, perform a sun salutation and take a trip to the bathroom. You will be amazed at how setting an alarm and getting up even 15 minutes before your child does can make a difference the entire day.
2. Come to Love Salad in a Jar
Lunch does not have to be your child’s leftovers! Take 10 minutes the night before and make a healthy salad stuffed right into a canning jar. Place the dressing on the very bottom, your heavy add-ons next and top it all off with spinach or lettuce greens. When you are ready for lunch the next day, shake it up and serve! You can even prepare 5 salads on Sunday and store them in your fridge.
3. Get Out of the House
Moms need “me-time.” Don’t feel guilty about this. You need time to yourself to recharge so you can be a better mom. A walk to the bus on your way to work doesn’t count. Take time each week to enjoy a hobby, to hit the gym, or go for a power walk with a friend. Your kids will reap the benefits of your life balance. Try momstown's "Moms Night Out" events each month (free with your program pass!).
Sprout Right is hosting a webinar series about learning to live a more balanced, nourishing life as a mom. You can gain tips on how to create healthy meals that power your body for optimal energy, weight loss and body confidence. You will receive the support of Lianne Phillipson-Webb, with optional one-on-one consulting, as well as the enthusiasm of a network of hard-working moms to embark on the journey with. Email us to receive more information.
Guest Post:
Lianne Phillipson-Webb is the founder of Sprout Right, a company that specializes in pre-conception, prenatal, and postnatal nutrition for women, as well as good food and health for the whole family. With over ten years of experience, Lianne is a registered nutritionist, author, member of the International Organization of Nutrition Consultants, and mother of two.
