Flashback moment for me.
8 or so years ago, I was working as an outpatient RD, counseling a busy mom who wanted to lose weight. One of her reasons she couldn’t exercise was because she was too busy with her kids, there wasn’t enough time in the day. (Sound familiar?)
At the time I was a single mom, who pretty religiously, hit up the bike trail for a run or the gym every day after work before picking my son up from extended daycare. I always thought to myself… you just have to MAKE time.

Well my 34 year old self wants to slap my 26 year old self right about now. (Like I would punch her if I could). Being a single parent had its ups and downs sure, but being a married mom of 4 kids in a bazillion activities with a husband who works and goes to school full time isn’t exactly a cake walk either!

There ARE days when really.. there is not enough time to go for a run or to the gym. So as I begin my quest to drop a few pounds while juggling my super awesome schedule… I jotted down some ways I can move more while watching my diet as well.

1. Ya still gotta exercise! The question is HOW and WHEN? Look at your schedule and at least schedule 2 exercise sessions per week. (Schedule more if you have the time!). (I find 2 is very manageable.)
Make workout dates with friends or run buddies. Sign up for that class or register for the next Run to Pub. At least it’s written down now and in your schedule.

2. Even small bits of activity squeezed in throughout the day add up! Make a goal in that Fitbit and month after month make sure your activity level is going UP! Compete in a challenge. Go for walk breaks on the stairs. Take a lap around the building after that meeting. Just try and get up and move more. Especially on those days when hitting the gym is not going to happen. Download  the 7 minute workout app and get going!

3. That being said. Some days I am stuck to a computer and then off driving kids around til 9 pm. Combine a day with no exercise with poor eating choices and you have a recipe to GAIN and not lose. The more you plan your dinners in advance, the more you are able to skip the drive thru and stick to your game plan. Some lighter options on your low output days could be good ol salad, cup soup and some whole grain crackers, homemade pizza using Flatout bread, I could go on.

4. Skip the alcohol. Well. At least cut back. AS much as I would LOVE to unwind every night with a glass of my favorite craft brew after the kids are in bed.. those calories ADD UP! I found if I want to be successful losing a few, I also have to cut back on even some of my favorites.

5. Get some sleep. No matter what, if you are putting everyone else first, trying to work out, plan meals, organize, do everything moms do… ya gotta get some sleep. Without sleep, stress hormones surge, your urge to grab every carb in site goes up and your energy levels go down, leading to skipped workouts and bad mojo. Aim to get at least 7 hours a night if you can. (That has been my main resolution in 2016. Hasn’t been greatest over the summer but I am refocusing on getting to bed early now that the kids are back in school!)

What small things do YOU do throughout the day to help you move more or watch your food intake? Share below!

Check out the Devine Nutrition Menu Planner for busy people on the go!
http://www.kellydevinenutrition.com/monthly-menu-planner