Yes, You Can Still Lose Weight And Be A Good Mom

November 10, 2018 Ashley 0 Comments

“I don’t have time. You’d understand if you were a mom.”

I always hafta laugh every time I hear this – moms saying they don’t have time to eat healthy or exercise. Yet, they waltz into work the next day, regurgitating every meme on the internet because they spent a solid hour scrolling through whatever app is happening right now. From their bum. On the couch. For the same length of time they could’ve spent burning that burger off to the latest Tracey workout, for free, on her laptop. When I hear this stuff, I just bite my tongue. I mean, I’m constantly hearing about the parents who do make time for both family and fitness. And I was trying to figure out: what sets them apart? What are they each doing differently than the moms full of excuses (and un-burnt calories stacking up on their gams)?

Well, it’s simple, really.

What every single slim mom had in common was the same: prioritizing fitness.

And I don’t mean “prioritize” as in they put it above their kids.

(The two aren’t mutually exclusive.)

Rather, much like either of us would do if we had something that we absolutely had to do for work every day, they put it in their planner. It’s a date. A commitment. And how do they make that happen? One woman I recently read about, interviewed for her massive weight loss, said she “plans it with her husband ahead of time”. That way, not only can he watch their son, but she can reciprocate it later. When hubby wants to go play basketball with the boys or hit the weights some other day during the week, the mom’s the one watching.

As for you single moms out there already heading toward the X in the corner, you can freeze right there. Because my good friend’s shared that plight in the past – with a brand new, hot off the press infant. And she’s used that as an excuse zero point zero times. When he was younger, she was all about the laptop workouts while his crib or bouncer was within view. Then, later, he was able to join in and be part of the fun. And even later, she did what a lot of chicks are doing now: formed a mom squad. Chicks who have eachothers’ sixes on a fitness level. On Monday, you take that beloved trail run of yours while Tanya watches your toddler. Then, on Tuesday, you return the favor. Everyone has eachother’s backs by watching eachother’s babies.

But how about the other part of it? Diet?

And the corresponding excuse of “I don’t have time to eat healthy cuz’ve my kids’ activities” ?

Another fit n skinny mom I know puts that whole b.s. excuse to bed with the trendy latest practice called meal prepping. Sure, if you’re committed to sugar and overeating, this won’t work. But if you’re only eating badly because McD’s is easier than whipping up a triple course meal when you get home, this is your fix for sure. Not only does it account for portion control, but it also has your healthy meals ready to go so you don’t hafta do expensive (both on a budget and pudge level) takeaway meals after those late night basketball games finally end. She even makes a whole fun bonding experience of it by having her little one help out during the process of Sunday meal prep.

In the end, it’s all about habits. You can defensively tell me I dunno what it’s like to be a mom all you want. And you’re right. One hundred percent. But I do know moms who manage it just fine. And, I’m just relating what it is that they do to stay healthy when they’ve got the same setup as yourself. They’ll probably tell you the same thing I always hear them say. It’s that old saying that goes, “you can’t put on someone else’s oxygen mask til yours is secured”. (It’s an analogy about a crashing plane, which is perfect, seeing as that’s exactly how most moms I know describe life with kids.) And, contrary to popular opinion, this doesn’t just mean you can’t do an effective job as a wife and mom if you’re unhealthy and in a bad mood. I mean, that part’s true for sure. But it’s also about example setting. We do what we see – not what we’re told. So can you genuinely expect your kids to learn and maintain healthy habits when you’re neglecting yourself?

(One of many moms who learned how to balance fitness and kids)

So pop out a pen (not pencil), mom.

And scroll some sweaty zen into your scheduler, stat.