Healthy Living: Baby Steps to Better Fitness in 2012

me • time management • lifestyle • health-wellness

by Jeannette Kennedy on December 26th, 2011 | 6 Comments »

What are your New Year's Resolutions? Are they the same ones you had last year? As new moms — and experienced moms — the goals we set for ourselves do not get accomplished as quickly as they did in the past. Where does the time go?

For me, it lapses into an unknown place between poopy diapers, preparing meals, coloring, and giving baths. Before I know it, the goal I had set for myself hasn't even begun. I've been down this post-pregnancy road three times now and I've made mistakes. In fact, I've made lots of mistakes!

As a mom, I have this instinct that tells me that I have to take care of these little people as best I can. They are my priority. Taking care of me is set aside — last on my list of things to do. Can you relate?

You are not alone! Let's do this together.

How To Get Fit and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

The following are baby steps that you can take to get fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle:

Start Where You Are

Don't stress over setting lofty goals and exaggerated transformations. Set goals for the next 60 days. Don't worry about being perfect. Just be better.

Move Your Body

If you can, go to the gym! There is no better option than time alone to focus on fitness. If guilt is holding you back, I understand. I've been there and I have the t-shirt (in a variety of sizes too). Your kids need mom to be healthy. You are the cornerstone of the family and taking care of yourself is just as much for them as it is for you. But if you absolutely cannot get time away from your kids: you must move with the kids. This means PLAY, I mean, really PLAY! Dance like crazy for 10 minutes three times a day. Do extra laps up and down the stairs when you need to do the laundry. Lift hand weights, buying each child 2 lb dumbbells do to the moves with you. Get creative. You just have to be purposeful with your time! You CAN do this.

Focus On Food

Let's not say “diet”, let's say “conscious eating”. What is going into your mouth? If your answer is “I don't know” or you are thinking “my child's leftovers”, I hereby release you from the mommy zombie eating. Did you know that you don't have to finish your child's plate? While some may call this wasteful, I call it self-preservation. Also, you MUST drink more water. I'm confident 99% of you don't drink enough. 64 oz of water isn't enough. You should drink half your body weight in ounces. This means that 64 oz is only good enough if you are 128 lbs or less. Water helps you detoxify and boosts your metabolism (which means staying hydrated helps you lose weight). It's worth doing.

Bottom Line: Health is a gift you can't buy and is something that you can't afford to lose. You are worth it! Make time for yourself, get your family involved, make better decisions, ditch the guilt, and get healthy!

What are your New Year's Resolutions? Do they involved getting into shape? How will you reach your goals?

Photo provided by Devin Noel Photography.

Jeannette A. Kennedy, MS, DC is a science geek turned mom of three who simply tries to do her best every day.

She always thought she'd be a superwoman doctor: helping patients to be healthy and strong, questioning the status quo, and making great strides for health professionals. She never thought she would choose another life, staying home, raising children, and even homeschooling! That is...until the first child was born. Then she realized there is no better way to leave a lasting impression than to be an awesome mom.

Jeannette is a seeker of knowledge, particularly of health, science, and all things kids. She holds a Masters Degree in Biomedical Science from the Medical University of South Carolina and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Logan University. She is a social media junkie and a novice blogger excited about developing her own space to share her thoughts and ideas.

She and her husband, Dr. Jerry Kennedy, own and operate Midwest Upper Cervical in Belleville, IL where they raise their three children: Shaelin (6 years), Knox (2 years), and Beckham (5 months).