How to Be More Active as a Busy Mother

Being active is one of the best ways to lower cholesterol while reducing your risk of colon cancer. It’s never too late to make a positive change to your lifestyle, not to mention that you can easily see actual results in a very short time frame if you are committed. If you want to find out how you could be more active or if you want to make a positive change to your lifestyle, then this is the guide for you.

go for a walk

Walk More

Walking is one of the most convenient activities you can do when it comes to staying active. If you want to burn calories, you must pick up the pace. Use a pedometer if you want to keep track of how much you are walking. Ideally, you must build the steps you do daily until you reach 10,000. Walking briskly for a short duration and adding in hills and steep slopes will help you feel the burn even more. If you can’t walk where you live, then this is understandable. One thing you can do is try and find a local mall to walk around. You’d be surprised at how many steps you can take by simply walking, so make sure that you keep this in mind. If you don’t have time to go out, you can do many exercises at home. There are even walking videos you can play while walking on the spot, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

stand at work

Stand Up At Work

You probably spend nearly half your day at work, so this is an excellent place to make a change. If you want to benefit yourself, then one thing you can do is invest in a stand-up desk. Standing up puts more stress on the body when compared to sitting, so as a result of this, you can burn way more calories. If you stand for an entire day, then this will increase your leg strength. It will also go a long way for your endurance. If your place of work isn’t quite ready to adopt a standing environment, this is fine. Take the time to have a five-minute break now and again so you can wander around. Experts estimate that standing burns approximately 50% more calories when compared to sitting, so make sure that you consider this the next time you go to work.

fidget at work

Fidget while you Work

If a stand-up desk isn’t practical for you at work, then there are ways for you to move more. Try to see if you can take an exercise ball at the office. This is great if you work with a small company that likes to focus on well-being. You can even bring it up at your place of work to see if it is a change they’d like to implement across the board or at least provide a fitness room for team members to exercise. Sitting on an exercise ball helps you to stabilize your abs, and it also allows you to move a little more. You can also try to get up and walk down a few stairs while on your break. On the phone, don’t sit down. Stand up and pace around where you can. If you can do this, you will soon see a vast improvement.

Get a dog

Get a Dog

The arrival of a new pet, especially if it is a dog, can help you to boost your energy levels. Getting a dog is another reason to get out and be more active. Pets need a lot of activity, and they can keep you accountable. If you want an active dog that is affectionate and good for your family, a labrador is a good option. Check out Lucky Labs if you want to get one suited to your active lifestyle and family.

Clean Your Home

Cleaning your home regularly is another way to ensure you stay active during the week. Cleaning your home allows you to incorporate various muscle groups; the best thing about this is you probably won’t even realize it. Dragging around a heavy vacuum cleaner isn’t easy, and this is especially the case if you add stairs to the mix. 

cook your own meals

Cook at Home

Most people don’t think of cooking as an exercise; it is an excellent form of self-care. Preparing food at home burns a lot of calories, and it causes you to consume fewer calories when compared to eating out. When you cook at home, you can control exactly what goes into your food, which is excellent. If you can, do your shopping when you have more time. If you are short on time and live a hectic lifestyle, you may rush decisions, leading to you making some bad choices. This is the last thing you need, so avoid this where possible.

Dance

If you want to meet up with friends, trade your coffee shop meeting for one with more activity. It may be that you go dancing or sign up for a Zumba class. Either way, rather than a night of drinks, which can contain many empty calories, you will soon find that you can move around and benefit your healthy regime. You can burn many calories by doing this, and you will be surprised at how fun involving your friends can be. If you are the type of person who hates working out, then having a good support network is so important. If you don’t have a good support network, then this will make it harder for you to stick with your healthy regime, so make sure that you keep that in mind if you can.

Broccoli salad and new meal prep help

Broccoli salad and new meal prep help

I’m still talking about that broccoli salad folks.  I don’t feel like I can appropriately move on with life until I tell you about the broccoli salad and what variation I decided on.  There are many variations on a broccoli salad which opened my eyes to this salad.  Broccolli salad is kind of BIG deal.  I found one that would work for me. I finally decided on the Best Broccoli Salad recipe from Mom on Time Out. I’m not sure why this appealed to me so much.  Maybe because these are ingredients I keep in the house and I wouldn’t…

View Post

Should I make broccoli salad for Christmas?

Should I make broccoli salad for Christmas?

I don’t know why I’ve been thinking about broccoli salad all day, but I think I want to make one for a side dish for Christmas.  I haven’t really decided what we will be eating at this meal.  I’m just now starting to put the pieces together.  I’m sure Tiny Tot would prefer to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I didn’t know there were so many variations of a broccoli salad.  There are options with mayo and mayo substitutes.  I need to decide between grapes, blueberries, apples, and oranges.  There is a bacon and cheddar combination.  I didn’t think…

View Post

Cookbooks make great gifts

Cookbooks make great gifts

The holiday season is here and I know you’re thinking about gifts for your family and friends.  I’m here to tell you that cookbooks make great gifts.  Buy someone a cookbook because it’s not something people will normally buy for themselves.  People do buy cookbooks but there are lots of really great cookbooks out there and we can’t buy them all. Ok, maybe it’s just me that goes to the bookstore on my free time to look at the cookbooks and leaves with nothing. I believe cookbooks are the gifts that keep on giving. Everyone needs a cookbook for meal ideas…

View Post

No meal prep this week

No meal prep this week

There was basically no meal prep this week.  I’ve been trying to get to the blog all week, but it’s always been the last thing.  I want to start off this post by thanking everyone for the birthday wishes.  Seeing all of those messages made me feel very special.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Last week I had everything together, this week it’s just been a struggle.  It has been an odd week.  My birthday was Monday so we went out to eat.  Tuesday was just a rush filled day and I got some fish tacos from…

View Post

Meal prep for the first time

Meal prep for the first time

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t my first time but this was the first time I’ve meal prepped this hard since early pregnancy.  But the good thing is I’m prepared for the week and I don’t have much to worry about. Gosh, I don’t remember it being so much work but I’ve been out of practice.  I still need to get back in the habit.  Plus, I made some more “complicated” meals than normal. I tried to prep most of the meals so I wouldn’t have anything to worry about.  I’m trying to stay on track and be focused on a…

View Post

Air fryer chicken wings

Air fryer chicken wings

Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone but I’m still thinking about those chicken wings I made in my air fryer. (Yes, I’m still in love with my air fryer and I think everyone should get one.) I love buffalo wings but I don’t like the fried aspect behind it. I’m always trying to find ways to make things a little bit healthier for my life so I thought I would try buffalo wings for the big day. I’ve been craving wings for a long time but I just don’t want to go out to get them.  I’m not sure if…

View Post