I cannot believe that it is December already and my baby, Hazelnut, is 9 months old. Life as a mom is certainly exciting, exhausting, and time consuming. How can something the size of our Thanksgiving turkey change my life so radically?
I don’t know how it happened, but I fell into the trap of all busy working parents with young kids. I spend what little free time I have taking care of everyone else and stopped taking care of myself.
I am burning the candle on both ends, so I am drinking coffee again, where the ever increasing amount is actually starting to frighten me, to hold the exhaustion at bay during the day.
Though I am still exercising, the inconsistency of it pretty much results in a step (ok, several steps) backwards in my fitness level. You need to exercise frequently and at the right intensity to see positive changes to your body. I know this, but I have not made time for this important goal in the last month or so. Maybe it is the holidays? I know I am looking for an excuse.
I have desert every day. Good thing I am still nursing and can still get rid of these empty calories. But I know that once I stop nursing in three months, those calories are going to need a home if I continue this pleasurable pastime.
Now that I am a parent, I can see why the kids are a perfect excuse to neglect yourself. Exercising and healthy eating do not give you instant results so it is much easier to spend what little free time you have on things that give you instant gratification (ie. like taking a nice long shower).
However, if you want to change, you need to change your mindset first. You cannot believe that you only need to sacrifice for several months to lose the weight and then you can revert back to your old sloppy eating habits. And yes, most of the time weight gain is a result of sloppy eating rather than the need to exercise more.
It is far easier to change things one small step at a time than to overhaul your entire life at once. This holiday season, I want to practice temperance. I want to slow down for the hugs, kisses, and great conversations as our social calendar fill up with parties. I am going to enjoy a small piece of spectacular dessert. And then I am going for a walk…. at the mall.
Until next time and thanks for reading Small Steps to Health. If you like what you are reading, please share it with your friends!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
“Circumstances do not make the person, circumstances reveal the person to herself.”
Best wishes for raising your happy, healthy baby!
Dr. J – Thanks for the good wishes!