Let's Get Real about Health

During my pregnancy, I fantasized that I would be the type of mom that had it all together! I was planning to puree all of Payton’s meals from scratch, cook healthy meals for my husband, juice vegetables, create morning smoothies, and continue to eat my proper servings of fruits a vegetables everyday! I was even planning on doing all of this while maintaining a steady daily workout routine. Well once again, YA GIRL HAD IT ALL WRONG.

Payton was born, and well … you guys already know about my breastfeeding woes. Cooking, eating healthy, and working out all went out the window for me those first few months. But once Payton was about 6 months old, I decided it was time to bring back my healthy lifestyle. This was important to me because I want to be healthy and live a long life with my daughter, as well as set an example for her. Here are my top 5 REALISTIC ways to lead a healthy lifestyle with a baby…

1. Set your workout time for first thing in the morning. Both you and your baby are at your best when you first wake up! Payton wakes up at 7am. I immediately change her, feed her, and get her ready for whatever activity I have planned as my “workout” of the day. If it is an indoor activity, she is placed in her bouncer or with her toys in her play space. If it is outdoors, I place her right into the stroller so we can head out right away. The best part about my morning walks is that I get to enjoy my entire cup of coffee without distraction and while shedding some pounds!

2. Set realistic goals. When I first started back my workouts, I was attempting to workout every single day. Therefore, when I missed a day, I felt like a failure and was less motivated to get up and workout the next day. Once I set more realistic goals, it was easier to stay on track. I currently take a 2-3 mile walk with Payton on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Thursdays and Saturdays I do a HITT workout routine. This schedule is realistic for my lifestyle & keeps me active throughout the week.

3. Switch up your workouts! I know there are many people who are able to run or cycle every single day, and I give them all the praise, but I personally get bored quickly! When it comes to my walks, I set my apple watch to “outdoor walk” and make sure to switch up the scenery every week. One day I may walk around the park and the next I may walk along the beach. Sometimes I just walk around the neighborhood so I can find cute new restaurants or coffee shops (to order from since we are still quarantined). As far as my in-home workouts, I love HITT exercises because they target different areas of the body. Some days I wake up tired or stressed, so I do yoga. I am currently using the NIKE app for my free at home workout routines.

4. Buy easy to make meals! If there is one thing I don’t have time for, it is to be standing in the kitchen for several hours a day making meals. Therefore, I found some easy healthy meals to create that both my husband and I enjoy! One of my favorites is the pre-made salad bags. You legit just throw all the contents into a bowl and shake it up to eat. I usually like to add protein such as backed chicken, salmon, or tuna. Poke bowls are also another quick meal favorite of mine! I personally love adding rice, salmon, edamame, avocado, cucumbers, fresh ginger, and scallion. There are countless poke bowl recipes so it is almost impossible for me to get sick of them.

5. Drink water. I cannot even begin to tell you how dehydrated I was the first few weeks after having my baby. Not only was I breastfeeding, but I was also lacking sleep, and always on the go. Now, I carry around a water bottle with a time marker. I fill the bottle first thing in the morning and the times motivate me throughout the day to continue drinking. I cannot even begin to explain to you guys how much of a game changer this water bottle has been! They sell a ton of different types on amazon if you are interested.

I hope these tips provided some sort of help to you. Don’t forget, a healthy mom is a happy mom.