Time to get moving!

In November you said you would do it after Thanksgiving. Then the cold weather set in and those Christmas cookies were so yummy. But now it’s January and you can no longer deny that those jeans that you worked so hard to get back into after the baby, you now have to work doubly hard to get zipped.  Let’s not even talk about trying to get them buttoned! Yep, it’s time for a change.

Trust me; this is something I know a lot about. I have gained and lost more weight than I care to talk about. I’ll be the first to admit: It’s hard! That doesn’t mean impossible; a few consistent small changes can add up to big results. Here are four things to remember:

BE REALISTIC:  Right after I had my babies, I was so, well, squishy. You know what I’m talking about. Soft and round all over and I couldn't wait not to be. I embarked on a rigorous diet and exercise program that left me tired and irritable and oh, did I mention STARVING?!? So the first thing in the march to reclaim your body is to be realistic. Remember it’s going to take a little bit of time to get that weight off. Sleep is also a big part of weight loss so it’s imperative you get your rest too.

MAKE SMALL CHANGES:  I’m going to let you in on a secret; I have a RAGING sweet tooth that derails even my most basic attempts at fitness. Well, this year, I decided that instead of saying things like, “I’m not going to eat candy this month,” I’ll say, “I’m not going to eat candy TODAY.”  In other words, I’ll take that big, hairy, unwieldy goal and break it down into something more manageable. I know we’re only a few weeks into the New Year but I am pleased to report, it seems to be working. Try it!

BE CONSISTENT: This is critical! Look, in high school you didn't learn French by studying it one day a week, right? You needed to study it every day, review it and work hard on the stuff that didn’t come easy to you. It’s the same thing with your fitness goals; you can’t expect to see real change if you dip in and out, averaging one workout every other week. Commit to working at it every day.

MAKE IT A PRIORITY:  Ah yes, this is the one that’s hardest for us moms, isn’t it? I always say it’s because we’re living so many other people’s lives that ours sort of gets squeezed out of there. Pretty soon it’s easy to scribble out the workout because of a play date or sick child. Well, no more! Time to make exercise, and you, a priority! That mean’s putting it in your calendar, circled in red, with reminders! As a member of Evenflo’s Savvy Parent campaign, I know real life can sometimes derail even the best of plans, so make sure you have a backup plan. If you can’t get out to the gym, pop in an exercise video or find one on YouTube and get a work out in at home. Double the fun by putting baby in an ExerSaucer or  Johnny Jump Up in the room with you, so she can get moving too.  But don’t give up just because plans change; remember the long-term goal, which is good health so that you can be the best to you and the others in your life. 

Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

I love going to the gym. I do, I swear. If only I hated food as much as I love going to the gym, I’d be buying a teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini. Why do I love it, you ask? Because, other than the fact that I have a great gym located near our house, I’ve made it as pleasurable and easy as possible. Here’s how you can do it that way too:

•    First and foremost, you have to pick a gym that has a great child-care room. For me, that’s number one. The gym I joined in Texas had only adequate care, and the boys only came with me a handful of times. This forced me to work around my husband’s schedule, which meant half the time I never even went. Plus, it’s never a great situation to come home sweaty to a messy house and hungry children. Pass.

The gym we go to now (It’s a YMCA. Love, love, LOVE!) has fantastic child watch. The staff knows my boys by name, and they both just run in without hesitation because THEY love it, which is vital. Knowing my boys are safe, being attended too, and are having FUN, gives me the opportunity to work out with peace of mind. When you tour a gym, get a good look at the childcare room. Ask to talk to the manager. Get to know the staff by name.

•    Shower there. Before you get dorm room flashbacks, hear me out. Wouldn’t it be great to get home already showered and dressed? It takes a little bit of prep work, but I’d MUCH rather prep then come home, turn on the TV, give the boys a snack, sneak in a quick shower with your little one opening the curtain getting wet... I promise you’ll very quickly get over the flip flops and shower caddy when you get an extra 20 minutes of peace and quiet, and can leave the gym fully rejuvenated and ready to move on with your day. Hey, you might even get to do your hair!

•   If you don’t have time to shower, just bring a change of clothes. Even that much will help you leave “it all” at the gym.

•    Work it into your schedule. With rising gas prices, it doesn’t make sense to drive to similar locations twice in one day. Once you’ve showered at the gym, you can make that quick stop to the grocery store or Target. Hit the park on your way home. Meet some friends for lunch. Duck out of playgroup a bit early, and skip showering at the gym, since it will be naptime when you get home. Or better yet, get going right away in the morning and workout before a play date (If you have any tips on how to do that, please let me know. I am SO not a morning person)!

•    Have a specific gym bag, and keep it packed at all times. Sometimes finding the motivation to pack all the bags, on top of changing diapers and putting on shoes is enough to keep you at home. Fill your bag with extras- hair products, make-up bag, toothbrush, deodorant... just make sure it’s a big bag. =)

I got a HUGE backpack, which is great when I’m carrying one kiddo and holding hands with another. My boys have a gym bag too, with their diapers, wipes and sippy cups. We only use this for the gym, so it stays packed and I don’t have to think about it when we’re leaving in a hurry.

•    Buy yourself some nice workout clothes. It’s worth the investment.

•    If it’s a gorgeous day out, and a friend you keep playing phone tag with invites you to a picnic at the park, by all means- skip the gym and go to the park. Forcing yourself to go to the gym will only build resentment. Make the gym a place that you love to go to. Be spontaneous and go on a whim when your kids are driving you particularly NUTS (this is where that packed bag comes in handy).

•    Get a gym buddy. They work wonders.

•    Start taking a class. Get to know the regulars in the class. The accountability and socializing will keep you going week after week.

•    Just run. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the infinite ways of working out, just run. Start with 1 mile. A mile is nothing, right? Well, once you’re comfortable there keep lengthening the distance. I started this a few months ago, and I’m up to running 2.5 miles and will be doing my first 5K!

•    When all else fails, get the most out of your gym membership by forcing your husband to go and take the kids. Bliss.

By Guest Blogger Joanna from The Bragging Mommy

I was raised a picky eater. When I was younger, I would hide peas and milk in my cheeks and visit the restroom only to spit it all out in the toilet. I never really liked many vegetables, so I am not surprised that my children are not huge vegetable eaters either. So, how do we, as parents, handle picky eaters? Here are some ways to tame that picky side:

Do not offer sugary foods (or foods he/she is prone to only eat). I know my son won't eat his sandwich, if I offer a side such as chips with the sandwich.

Keep distractions to a minimum. If there are other children running around or the television is on, for a few examples, children will not focus on eating.

Hide food/nutrients in other foods you make. One of my secrets is to hide veggies in their meatloaf. The children have no idea it is in there and gobble up the meatloaf.

Make it fun. Turn sandwiches into shapes by using cookie cutters, dip veggies in butter or a sauce your child likes, or put food coloring in certain foods like mashed potatoes.

Lead by example. Your child is going to eat what you eat. If you never eat healthy foods, such as veggies, your child won't either.

Do not be a short order cook. Offer your child one option and stick with it. Keep trying by offering these foods to your children and eventually he/she will come around.

Don't use bribery. Your child will learn that they need to reject these foods in order to gain something out of the experience.

If you are concerned with your child's health due to lack of eating certain foods, or eating too many bad foods, consult their physician. Taking small steps to change their habits is definitely taking the correct approach to tackling your picky eater.

By Guest Blogger from Mommies With Cents