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As a parent, it’s easy to let your own health take a backseat, particularly when you’re caring for young children, but you don’t need to compromise even when you’re busy being a great parent and role model to your kids.
If you want to get fit and healthy, or maintain your existing fitness level, here are four top tips for tackling a healthy lifestyle when you have little ones around.
1. Get Your Steps In
Even if you can’t make it to the gym regularly, try getting your steps in as much as you can. You can do this by walking instead of driving, and taking the pram. If you have pets, walk them as much as possible – they’ll value the exercise too!
If you’re a parent who makes trips to the park, engaging with your kids and joining in with their games is a great way to get your step count up – with your children’s boundless energy you’ll soon be totalling up the calories burned!
If you want to track your steps, investing in a pedometer app on your phone, or using an Apple or Android watch can help you keep track of your progress towards your daily goals.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
When you have little ones, it’s so easy to compromise your healthy diet in favour of quick meals you can eat in the spare minute you have after putting them all to bed.
By pre-cutting and preparing fruit and vegetables, you can snack on healthier foods quicker and prevent yourself reaching for so many unhealthy snacks or quick meals.
Buy some tupperware containers from retailers like Amazon for a convenient and hygienic way to store your healthy snacks. Many are easily washable in a dishwasher and with a variety of sizes, you can store in bulk, or separate into smaller portions for yourself and your children!
3. Build a Home Gym
If you have the budget for it, why not build your own gym in the comfort of your home?
Whether cardio is your bag, or you enjoy weight lifting, channelling your spare energy into working out is easier than ever when it’s at your fingertips.
Companies like Ormiston Wire supply high quality gym cables for use in machinery like Cable Machines and other strength training equipment so that you can have the dream workout experience whilst not compromising on the quality of your gym equipment.
4. Stay Well Rested
This is a tricky one, as it’s hard to sleep well when you have young children or babies, but getting enough sleep can prevent you from snacking or slipping into unhealthy habits. Sleeping will also help with your mood regulation and give you the energy to exercise and eat well.
If you’re struggling to sleep, drinking soothing tea can help to get you in the mindset for resting. Twining’s range of Superblend teas are perfect for relaxing you just before bed, and come in an array of flavours including spiced apple and camomile, valerian and orange blossom and raspberry, valerian and niacin to name just a few.
Do you have any tips for getting fit and healthy whilst looking after young children? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!