Self-care isn’t only about taking moments for yourself throughout the day. It’s also about taking better care of yourself so you can be at your best. And that means being healthier, even when you’re a busy, working mom.
I try to take really good care of my family and I bet you do the same, especially when it comes to food. I make sure they have healthy lunches for school and that we eat well-rounded meals at dinner. A healthy, filling breakfast is a must. I admit once a week on the weekend, my husband makes yummy pancakes for everyone, which usually have chocolate chips.
Let’s be honest, I’m a busy mom and being healthy isn’t always a priority, when it’s just me. When you’re a working mom, you’re trying to fit all sorts of things into your busy day. And as a part-time working mom, I feel like I’m fitting a lot into a small amount of time. Focusing on healthy choices fell off my priority list mid-year last year.
So, I decided to change things up and start trying to be healthier since the start of 2017. And I figure that making better food choices will fuel my body, give me more energy, and, hopefully, keep me from getting sick. Because, honestly, who has time to be sluggish or sick when you’re a working mom?
If you’re like me, you have a go-go-go schedule. How can you include focusing on a healthier you into that? We take time and energy to make sure our kids and family are healthy, but what about taking a bit of effort to be healthier moms? I have 5 areas that are helping me be healthier and maybe they can help you.
Make Better Food Choices During the Day
My biggest challenge is my eating habits during the day when I’m working from home each day. My time is limited, so I need something fast and easy. The challenge is that I usually grab something quick and that isn’t always as good for me as it should be. I’m trying to fix that.
For starters, I’m trying to eat a filling breakfast that is healthy and includes fat, to keep me satisfied longer. And at lunch I’m trying to make things like salads with some sort of protein. I personally like a lot of crunch in my salads like carrots and cucumbers (think hot-house cucumbers that are seedless). There are lots of colors and we always have a selection of dressings in the house. I might sometimes splurge and add a few crumbles of cheese. So you’re saying, “Yes, I would love a salad, but who has time to make that mid-day?” I cut lettuce into bite sized pieces and veggies and it will last for a few days, so I can easily make salad several days in a row at lunch. And I even bake chicken at the beginning of the week, so that all I have to do is heat it up. Having the elements of the salad readily available makes the whole salad option more likely for me.
Want to jazz up your salads? Mia Moran, of Plan Simple Meals, suggested during my podcast interview with her that moms should explore salads for a week from different restaurants. Figure out what you like and have those ingredients on hand at home to make a delicious salad that you will really enjoy and don’t be afraid to mix it up, so that you’re not eating the same thing on consecutive days.
Other easy options include baking a spaghetti squash at the beginning of the week. Add tomato sauce to heat it up. I will brown some lean ground beef and keep it in the freezer. I add herbs when I heat it up and have an easy healthy meal, that took minutes to prepare the day of.
When I cook dinner, I will sometimes make extra, which go into the freezer. That way, I can pull something out, maybe add some spices and it’s ready. And that’s another way I’m not making bad choices at lunch because I’m SOOOOOOO hungry and I need something quick. All of these options are quick and easy.
I’m also making sure I have healthy snack options available. Small adjustments have made the difference for me in the snack department. For example, when I’m washing fruit for the boys’ lunches, I wash a few pieces of fruit for me, so it’s one less step in my process of healthy snacking. I make sure to have bananas and apples instead of food that needs to be prepped.
Enjoy Your Meal
I’ve been known to eat while doing other things. I try not to do that anymore. If I’m going to make the effort to eat something I like, I want to enjoy it. I try to focus on it and enjoy each bite. It’s moments out of my day, not hours, and it’s good to have that break. So, slow down and enjoy your meal, even if it’s for a few minutes.
Water, Water, Water
I drink a lot of water all day. From the minute I wake up, I start guzzling water. I do cut it off shortly after dinner or I’ll be waking up to pee all night. And I take water with me everywhere. On a walk? Check. In the car? Check. Next to me while I’m working? Check.
I’ve read over and over that sometimes when you think you’re hungry, you’re actually thirsty. I try to stay hydrated, so that I don’t confuse the two.
Do you drink enough water? I know there are some moms who don’t like water. What if you try something a big different than plain ‘ole water? You can be fancy and have a slice of something in the water. When I do my monthly pedicure, they usually have slices of orange in one pitcher and slices of cucumber in another. Or use something like lemon slices or strawberries. You don’t want to turn it into lemonade or orange juice, but the slices will infuse in the water. And, it might get you to drink more water in your day.
Don’t Be Afraid to Have a Treat Mid-Day
I like chocolate. I don’t like plain chocolate, unless it’s a truffle. I’m talking dark, luxurious chocolate with something in it, like nuts. Yum. This is usually my after-dinner treat. I sometimes shift the moment when I enjoy that treat to mid-day. No one is around and I can enjoy my treat in my own moment. Savor the treat and the moment.
Healthy Lunch with a Friend
I’ve mentioned how your tribe and networking are both important for you as a busy, working mom. What if you could do network or connect with your tribe and eat something healthy at the same time? Productive in many ways and oh-so-beneficial to you and the other person. You don’t have to do it every day, but once in a while would be great. And changing up the routine might trigger a new idea or two.
How are you being healthier as part of your self-care routine? What do you do to make being healthier easier for you during the day? Are there areas you struggle with?
