Thirsty Thursday, Fast Food Friday, Can We Start Again on Monday?

I’m shifting gears a little as I like to keep myself motivated and sometimes it gets a little hard, I mean I said no to a hedgehog slice this morning! So proud but hello!!! life can be rough sometimes and it’s okay to slip up and forget what gets you going.

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I’ve just walked in the door I have a screaming child on my hip, bags hanging off of me left right and centre and dinner to cook for the family. Then I’m expected to work out???? I feel I have nothing left in me you might say to yourself. That’s how I feel and I’m trying to train myself to live like there are no excuses. I try and focus on the feeling that I get post work out, knowing I am going to feel fantastic and although probably sore tomorrow I will see the results physically if I maintain a healthy balanced diet.

It may sound easy but often it isn’t. There are sleepless nights, sick children, sick partners…., sick you sometimes we just can’t be bothered. It’s all about getting past that initial mind block that is stopping us from achieving our fitness, weight loss or health goals. Once you start working out and making it your first priority post all of your days other activities and let’s face it there is always going to be a long list, it will get easier and easier. Before you know it you will even look forward to it and I don’t want to go too far but eventually you won’t be able to go without it.

Research has shown that new parents are the most sedentary compared to singles or couples without children. Considering I felt like I was always on the go when my now toddler was a newborn I can see the correlation between sedentary and active. Every movement appeared hard post baby as my body healed from the long labour and then my body stiffened as I sat hour after hour feeding and staring at that new life I created. Breastfeeding helped me to eat what I wanted without much movement but it soon dawned on me as the body aches were more persistent that I needed to get moving again.

I have lost weight post baby, hooray! I would still like to lose plenty more but now I’m more focused on staying physically active and being a good role model to my little girl. We are great parents no matter what. We are there for our children in their time of need, feed them, bathe them, and make sure they are clothed but exercise can help us to be energised help us to be the best parents. Looking at the benefits alone of increased life expectancy, reduced health risk and stamina is an instant motivator. The biggest driver for me is that I am energetic and ready to play, the sleep I do have is sounder and I am leading by example to hopefully make her more health conscious and fitness focused as she gets older. Better Health Victoria states that leading by example is the best way to encourage our children to be more physically active so in helping ourselves we are helping them to have a healthier future too.

Life is forever evolving and all we can do is give it a shot and try out something new that could potentially positively impact our futures.  If it’s not working, move on to the next thing, all that matters is that you are moving.