Parenting + Fitness

Parenting is tough on it's own, but you add fitness to the mix and it's a whole new ball game. As if grocery shopping and cooking for a family isn't hard enough, you have to be more intentional while keeping everyone's taste buds in mind. Then there's finding time for workouts - whether it's at home or in the gym, it's HARD to carve that time out. And I dont know about you, but when you do get that precious naptime, the last thing you want to do is physical activity. Or in my case, the baby only naps on you so you're stuck lol. 

Let's not forget that there's the women who effortlessly look amazing 3 weeks post partum and you sorta want to punch them in the face.

Then on the flip side there's the body positive activists who make you feel like you should be punched in the face for wanting to look a certain way. (Nothing against body positivity by the way, I just feel like it's no longer positivity when people attack others for enjoying exercise & eating with intention)

So let me just put my opinion out there, which you don't have to agree with, but I believe you should have whatever you want. If that's a tight waistline, a bit booty, and arms that look bomb in a tank top - I got you. If that's whatever the good lord left you with while you care for your babies and take a season of life to not worry about health & fitness goals, I get you. 

Life is too short to compare what we're doing with other people or worry about what other people will think when we go after what we want. I feel like as a coach/trainer, I have been blessed with the knowledge and ability to help people navigate life's challenges and get in killer shape, regardless of what life throws at them. Becoming a parent myself has been so flippin humbling but I've managed to find my groove and I want to share some tips that may help you find yours. 

Workouts:

• Eliminate commutes if time is precious, workout at home and swap time slots with your partner if you are a two parent household. If you're not a two parent household, workout at home either after the littles go to bed or before they wake up in the morning or of course, during naptime. I do believe it's easiest to kill a workout when you aren't trying to split your focus
• Another tip for single parents - find your village! Partner up with another mom or two and split the cost of a home workout program (like mine maybe) and have one person do the workout while the other one watches the kids, and switch! 
• If time allows, most gyms have childcare. This is an extra expense and does add commuting so be realistic with yourself if you don't think it will happen. However, you can set up some external accountability by meeting a friend there or something like that
• Don't immediately commit to 5 workouts a week. Start with 2-3 and go from there. Take it one day at a time and if you're too sore, skip a day! 
• If your kids are old enough to hang out while you workout from home or maybe do a workout at the playground while they play, go for it! It never hurts to set an example for them!

Nutrition:

• Keep your game plan simple. Whether it's whole30, keto, tracking calories, whatever, create a game plan that will work for your family and do it. Don't be scared to adjust if it's not working, but also don't adjust just because it's difficult. 
• Stop buying junk food, even for your kids. I get that it's convenient. I get that they like it and they eat it. But you aren't going to change anyone's habits by continuing to foster the not so great ones. If you want health for yourself, don't you want that for your family as well? It doesn't have to be about good food vs. bad food, it's just about putting food in the house that improves you & your family's health instead of deteriorating it. 
  • I should note that if your partner chooses to continue buying __(fill in blank with whatever junk food)__ for themselves, they are an adult and it is what it is. Don't fight over it. 
• Stop eating out. It costs a fortune and is rarely healthy. I know, cooking is hard as a parent, but buy some rotisserie chickens, salad mixes, and potatoes. You'll be alright and get used to setting aside the time to prepare your meals instead of driving somewhere and waiting for someone else to do it for you. 
• Water. Water is what we are meant to drink throughout the day. Not fruit juice, not crystal light, not sweet tea, lemonade, soda, etc. If you have spent your whole life drinking sweet stuff, it will take adjusting, but I highly recommend working on getting used to drinking water. It's a great habit for the fam, too. Oh and side note, you'll save moolah drinking water instead of all the other junk :) 

Parenting + smashing fitness goals isn't easy, but it's possible. Don't let a challenge be an excuse, rise up to the challenge. You got this!!!

If you want on the waitlist to join the HIT Bodies family where I provide gym workouts, home workouts, meal plans and more - click here!