Mom Friendly Fitness
Sweat and Chocolate
The thing about having two children is that I’m always sweating. I’d like to attribute this to a change in hormones, the weather, or even the shaggy coat of fur that lines my legs. (come on, yours does, too) But no, I really believe it’s because my children are just. That. Active.
Leaving the house? Twenty minute workout. Putting them to bed? Forty-five solid minutes rendering me without a voice afterward. Breakfast? It’s like a marathon.
And people, I only have two.
I’d have to train for years to have another child and even then, I really don’t think I have the stamina anymore.
So, tell me this, why am I not losing the baby weight? What’s that? You in the back, pipe up. What did you say?
Oh, right, the nightly two glasses of wine and bar of chocolate to keep my brain from exploding after a long day of said sweating.
Right…
That.
So I’ve been reading French Women Don’t Get Fat
- Never eat standing up. I know, this is nearly impossible with the kids, the family, the dog/cat/husband/computer/blahblah. But trust me, if you take the time to sit and eat your body will register that you’ve eaten. This will help fend off the hungries later.
- Cook and eat real food. Also, you say, impossible? No way. All you need to do is plan ahead a bit. Make meals on Sunday when the husband is home to help with the kids, freeze them, and warm on the busy nights. Make lunches the night before. Take left overs for lunch instead of letting them rot in the fridge. See? Already you’re eating better.
- Treat yourself. Don’t forget that we enjoy sweets or savory foods. It’s OK to eat them. In moderation. (You knew I was going to say that.) But honestly, if you allow yourself to have one or two small bites of chocolate after dinner you’re less likely to binge on the bag of chips after the kids are in bed. Or eat an entire bar of chocolate the next day because you’ve been deprived.
- Slow down. With the 400 mile an hour schedule you never take time to eat. This isn’t the only thing you’re not taking time for, I’m sure. You’re probably not sleeping, exercising or feeling organized. You would never think of starving your dog/cat/parents/children so why starve your body of the nutrients of fresh fruits and vegetables? Take care of yourself and your body will take care of you.
Diets don’t work. Eat. Enjoy. Eat slowly, on purpose, and make it a family affair. Let your children see you eating and let them know what eat healthy means. For a culture obsessed with weight loss, we’re failing miserably. I’m taking my cues from the French Women, who drink with delight and eat the richest foods, and still manage their weight.
**Cross Posted at Blissfully Domestic. Read more of Leslie’s sarcastic blahblablah at Mrs. Flinger and find podcast reviews, interviews, crafts, events and topics for the Seattle Parent at Mamaspod.Com. If you have questions, anecdotes, or topics for “Mom Friendly Fitness,” email leslie@seattlemomblogs.com.
I just might have to check out this book! I have been doing WW since June and lost 40lbs, and this is the exact approach WW has and I have adopted for my life. I still eat my Starbucks cookie now and again and enjoy my wine. I am still enjoying life and eating, but just being smarter about it!
I had been eyeballing that book!
And just so you know, I shaved that shaggy growth on my legs just this morning! It is Spring after all.
When I first read the title I thought it said “SWEET and chocolate”. Ha! It’s obvious my mind is much more sweet-focused than sweat-focused. Clearly I need to work on that.
Marsha, WAY TO GO!! That’s amazing. Forty pounds? I can’t use too many exclamation points. That’s awesome!!
And Carrie, girl, have you seen the snow? These bad boys are staying shag-a-licious for a while.
Susan, I had to proof-read it ten times to make sure I was saying SWEAT and not SWEET. And I never proof-read anything. lol
I only have ONE and you have just described my day!! So either I am a GIANT wuss, or my kid is like totally a maniac.
This is how I eat, but I so need to get down the part about “moving my fat ass” more. There isn’t that much left to loose, but enough that every time I look at myself I run screaming from the building.
And didn’t you know that the shaggy dog leg look is so tre sheik this spring? LOL (we should start this trend, because I am just tired of shaving…)
I’ve often thought to myself,
“Self, if you took care of you half as well as you take care of your children, you’d be a tri athelete.”
I love the concept of “eating on purpose.” That’s an idea that will help me, I think.
I read this book 2 years ago and found myself on a car trip with my 53 year old mother reading aloud parts of it to her. My mom has always stuck to the ‘eat in moderation’ mantra and it’s worked really well for her. In fact, I’ve never seen her go for seconds in my life…something I cannot adhere to. The author did mention how we should take advantage of walking up our office building’s stairs as often as possible. Forget the elevator. Get a workout throughout the day.