Posted:
I am a work at home mom to two kids and I successfully lost 60lbs (28kgs), this is what I have to share:
- I always found it difficult going from not working out at all to trying to workout 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week. This was in no way manageable nor sustainable.
- I decided to create simple ways to ensure that my fitness routine was achievable: I started with 10 minutes 3 days a week (anyone can manage 10 minutes - it was mentally easier to convince myself to workout for 10 minutes vs. 30 minutes).
- I stuck a workout calendar on my fridge with boxes to tick off every day when I had completed my workout - there was no way to avoid that, it was glaring me in the face reminding me what I had to achieve every day.
- I chose a strong accountability partner, someone for whom exercising is a way of life, if I didn't check in with her on my workout days, she would follow up with me to ensure I did what needed to be done.
- When my kids were sick and I had sleepless nights, I would remind myself that my workout is only 10 minutes long, I can do this.
- As I grew stronger, I started increasing my workouts, by 5 minutes at a time and adding one day (4 workout days a week) - again the focus was keeping it manageable and sustainable.
- I accepted, mentally, that this was a process, fitness is a journey not a destination, I needed to do it in steps and not try to do all the steps at once. I kept reminding myself that babies are not born running, they get there gradually but it is all one step at a time, essentially, baby steps.
- I researched into what I was eating and I learnt that weight loss is essentially 80% nutrition and only 20% exercise. I made a conscious decision to keep my house "clean" - I stopped stocking up on junk food, as a mom, the key was setting a good example for my kids. I always ensured healthy snacks were handy when needed, for example, having fruit cut up and stocked in the fridge.
One of the biggest mistakes I made when it came to losing my pregnancy weight was "waiting for the right time." My son had a lot of health issues which took away my focus from me, I kept telling myself, "Once he is gets over xyz sickness, I will take care of myself." I forgot a very fundamental rule: As a mom, in order to take care of those who matter to me, I need to take care of myself first, I need to be at my best, mentally, physically and emotionally. If only I knew then what I know now, don't wait for the right time, make the time right for you.
I am curious to know if there is anything you would like to add from which I can learn?
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