Making Time In Your Busy Day For Exercise

Guest post by Alex Summers

As a mom, you probably realize that you have a 24-hour job that is among the busiest in the world. Between caring for your kids, preparing dinners, cleaning around the house, shopping for food, running errands, and going to work, it often seems as though your tasks are relentless and never-ending. Your obligations are all important and none can be abridged or given up, meaning that you find yourself often rushing from one thing to the next.

This regularly leaves many moms cutting back on an all-too-important commitment: their commitment to themselves. Every person needs some time to and do their own thing every once in a while. Every person also needs to be able to look out for their personal health and wellness. On a physical level this means making time to go to the gym.

You may be wondering: How can I make time to workout when I’m already so busy with family and work obligations? While this is certainly a valid question to ask, there are many ways to balance your fitness needs with all these other activities. After all, a workout doesn’t need to consist of several hours at the gym. It can instead be done in a much more time-efficient manner.

Here are a few tips:

-Running is the way to go. If you’re trying to get the greatest workout benefit in the shortest amount of time, there’s no better way to make it happen than by going for a run. Running burns calories far quicker than any other activity. It is also convenient and easy to do; all you need is a pair of shoes and a nearby sidewalk.

-Work exercise into your routine, not around it. Many people approach their exercise need by trying to work it around their other obligations. Perhaps a better attitude is to integrate your workout into your regular daily tasks. For example, you can bike to work instead of sitting in your car and eating away at your day. You can also do exercises in your office while on your lunch break, in the kitchen while dinner is cooking, or in the living room while the kids watch TV before bed.

-Have a repertoire of at-home exercises. There are numerous exercises that can make your sweat, sculpt your body, and be accomplished without a gym membership or any special equipment. These exercises include plank hold, stair running, situps, pushups, wall sits, squats, and calf raises. All of these can easily be done whenever you have a free moment at home.

-Make the commitment. Some busy moms simply need to make a commitment to an exercise schedule. Once they do that, working out becomes just one more obligation that they can find a way to successfully juggle. The best way to make a commitment is usually by incurring an upfront cost. Instead of buying that amethyst ring you’ve been eying, spend the money on a gym membership and see if that gets you exercising more often.

These are just a few of the many ways that a busy mom can fit a workout into her high-powered life. Amidst all the time spent looking out for your children and your family, it is always important that your personal needs do not go neglected. Making time for a workout stands foremost among these.

Looking For A Pediatrician

Looking for a pediatrician can seem like a daunting task.  Where should the search begin?  How do you choose the right person?  It is important to find a pediatrician during the final months of pregnancy. 

When looking for a pediatrician, starting in the yellow pages, newspaper ads or fliers is not the way to go.  A good place to start is by asking friends and family for recommendations.   

Be sure to ask them why they chose this pediatrician and how long they have been with him/her for.  Once you have narrowed down a list of potential pediatricians, perform a quick background check on them.  You can check with the Federation Of State Medical Boards to see if there have been any serious disciplinary actions or peer review against the pediatrician.  Always go on an interview with potential pediatricians.  Be sure that both spouses go to the interview.   

Feel free to ask anything that comes to your mind.  Find out is the practice has more than one office.  Also inquire about Saturday or Sunday hours for sick patients.  While on the interview check out the office and be sure that it is clean and that there is a separate waiting area for sick and well children.

Be sure that you are completely comfortable with the pediatrician that you choose.  There must be open communication between the pediatrician and the parents. 

Easy Weigh Loss Strategies

Guest Post by Jeanne Boniello

Now that 2012 is in full swing many people are allowing their new year’s resolutions to fall to the way side.  One resolution that many people have is to get healthier by losing weight.  

Losing weight can be easier than you think if you follow a few simple weight loss strategies.  First, start by keeping a food diary.  Most people eat three meals a day but also spend time throughout the day snacking.  Keeping a food diary will allow you to see exactly what you are eating.  Something seeing in black and white everything you eat throughout the day can put things into perspective.  Also, keep an exercise journal.  Exercising is an important part of weight loss and general health.  Keep a record of what type of exercising you are doing and for how long you have done it.  This is a great way to see how well you are doing and offer some positive reinforcement.  

The next simple strategy is shop smarter.  The chances are if we have it in the house we are going to eat it.  Never go to the food store on an empty stomach.  When we are hungry, we are less likely to make healthy food choices.  When you shop, take a list with you.  Also, shop around the outside aisles of the food store.  The outside aisles tend to have meat, produce and dairy.  These are fresh and health choices.  The inner aisles tend to be filled with processed, high calorie foods.

Finally, drink plenty of water.  By drinking 8 glasses of water every day, you keep your body hydrated and feeling fuller longer. 

Follow these easy weight loss strategies and become a healthier you!