Eating Well

A couple weeks ago, I was in a funk.  My baby was sick, and he wasn't sleeping well, so therefore I wasn't sleeping much.  Since he was sick he couldn't go to the KidCenter at the LifeCenter, and my husband was out of town, so no workouts for me.  Add poor sleep to no exercise and you frequently end up with not-so-great food choices either, as was the case for me.  Things just snowball.  Throw in a fiesty three-year-old and the final result is a very tired, cranky, negative me.

 

But, finally, after the weekend, I got some sleep and was able to return to bootcamp.  I was a whole new woman.  All it really took was one good workout and a little extra sleep.  Again, things snowballed, but this time in a good way.  I made a grocery list and cooked healthy meals that week and suddenly I had a much better outlook in general.  It made me a better wife, a better mommy, and a better person in general.

 

It's pretty common that I hear stories of similar downslides from my clients.  A family member gets sick, work gets busy, the weather gets bad, etc, and before we know it, our own health and self-care takes a back seat to everything else.  The most important thing to remember is it's never too late to get back on track, but in most cases, it takes (a little) effort on your part to get there.  You have to make the choice to make things different.   It can seem overwhelming, but one small change can cause some momentum to build and you're on your way. 

 

You may consider keeping a "help me!" meal idea/grocery list of easy, quick and healthy lunch/dinner items that could help you meet your healthy lifestyle goals.  Veggie omelets, beans and rice, bagged salad with some rotisserie or baked chicken on top are good examples.  Even peanut butter and jelly with banana and a yogurt...jot it down now.  After you write that list, keep a copy of it on the side of the fridge or in your planner so you can call on it when things aren't looking good in your kitchen.  If you're really ambitious, try cooking up some healthy meals to freeze when you have time.  Always keep frozen veggies and fruit on hand so that you have no excuses for not eating those low calorie, high fiber, nutritious staples.  Also, boxed or frozen brown rice, canned beans, no-salt-added canned tomatoes, whole wheat tortillas, skim milk, yogurt, raw nuts, eggs or Egg Beaters... does that help get your list started? 

 

Perhaps you can do the same thing with a workout routine.  On those days that you just can't make it to the gym, and it's too cold/snowy/rainy/(insert excuse here) to go outside to walk, run or ride, what can you do at home?  Can you find a DVD or Netflix workout that would suffice?  That was one of my biggest issues a couple weeks back...I didn't have this alternative top of mind when I couldn't get to the gym or run outside with a sick baby.  (This is my call out...friends that have P90X, I think that would be a good back-up for when I can't make it to boot camp...anyone want to help a girl out with a copy?)  Figure out now what that alternative workout is, and write it down right next to your "help me" shopping/cooking list. 

 

Don't throw in the towel.  Every minute provides another opportunity to make a healthy choice.  If it doesn't happen today, do it tomorrow.  At least think about it tomorrow, and pull out your list.  One good workout might make you sleep better that night, which gives you the energy to whip up a healthy smoothie and hummus/veggie wrap, and you are on your way, with a smile on your face and a new spring in your step!

 

P.S. If you need any help with making that healthy eating plan, mark your calendar!  In honor of National Nutrition Month, Galter LifeCenter is hosting a free Nutrition Fair on Saturday, March 10, 8:30-10:30am.  Galter's Registered Dietitians will all be on site at that time to talk healthy eating, answer your questions, and inform you of some tools and products we have available that may help.  We may even have some healthy snacks, discounts, and raffle prizes for you.  Hope to see you there!

 

Healthy Regards,

kate