We all know that dieting can be a difficult task, but when most of your day is taken up by being a full time parent (as well as handling a job and running of the house), it can be even more of a struggle, particularly when it comes to time. But while it’s not always easy to make your weight-loss goals a priority while you’re juggling the incredibly-fulfilling-yet-totally-exhausting demands of parenthood, there are a few tricks to make it work.
1. Be realistic with your goals
Setting goals like “I will lose [X amount] in [X days/weeks]” or “I will exercise [X times] a week” is great, but make sure that they’re actually achievable with the time you have. Setting unrealistic goals will not only give your confidence a knock if you don’t achieve them, but you’ll also be more likely to pack in the diet if it doesn’t look like it’s working. Particularly when it comes to exercise, start out by sitting down and working out what free time you’ll actually have during the week, and plan your workouts where you can. When it comes to the weight loss itself, start out small when you set goals so that they’re more achievable, and make sure you give yourself a pat on the back when you reach them!
2. Eat breakfast
There are plenty of healthy breakfast ideas that don’t take long to make and will get everyone’s day off to a healthy start. While there’s little evidence to suggest that breakfast and weight loss are linked, making sure you start the day with a decent breakfast may still help with your weight loss in a different way. Eating breakfast could mean that you’re less likely to grab mid-morning snacks or go a little too extravagant with your lunch order. Why not take a look at our Exante meal replacement shakes to get started? These shakes are high in protein and fibre to help keep you feeling fuller for longer.
3. Quit snacking on leftovers
It’s something every parent has done – when your kids leave a few scraps of dinner on their plates, it’s easy to just quickly polish off what’s leftover. Even though it may seem harmless finishing off a few bites here and there, you’d actually be surprised at how those calories can quickly mount up. In short, if you’re wanting to shed a few kilos, this is one habit you’ll need to nip in the bud! A few bites of mac and cheese here, a handful of Goldfish crackers there — if you make a habit of finishing whatever food your kiddos leave behind, you may find yourself “eating for two” long after your baby arrives. But when you’re watching your calories, those extra bites add up fast. And let’s be real — considering there are 10 calories in a single Nacho Chip, those leftovers probably add up to a lot more than that.
4. Work out while the kids are awake
If your kids are up at the crack of dawn, and you’re napping while they’re napping, when are you supposed to work out? Easy — just do it while they’re awake and let them join in the fun. So put your baby in the stroller and go for a long walk. Play tag with your toddler. Go for a family hike. Sign up for a kid-friendly 5K. Do Yoga with your kids. Pick a workout for the family to try. It may not be the most relaxing workout ever, but you’ll burn calories and teach your kids healthy habits in the process.
5. Find a weight-loss tribe
You get wrapped up in their lunchtime and bath time and story time and potty time, and suddenly it’s bedtime and you haven’t gotten your workout in.
That’s where it helps to have a tribe who will keep you on track. Accountability is the key to weight loss, so take part in a challenge group, join a fitness-focused Facebook group, take a mommy-and-me class, or start a walking group with other parents in the neighborhood.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
