I’ve always been health-conscious but over the years, I’ve come a long way on my health journey. I think becoming a mama was a turning point for me – I no longer gave in to fads and unhealthy means of staying healthy and instead found a nice balance when it came to food and fitness.
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To be honest, I’m not really sure what changed, but it felt as if a light switch turned on and I suddenly ‘got’ what balance was all about. If I went out for dinner and ate too many french fries, pre-baby me would have gotten home and forced myself to run 5 miles on the treadmill even if it were 11pm. Post-baby me always pencils time in my planner for a daily workout, but on occasion if my plans change, I simply move on and start fresh the next day with staying healthy. I know that a plate of fries isn’t going to derail my healthy lifestyle nor am I going to gain 5 pounds from it.
I realized the other day that I have a pretty consistent routine from day-to-day, so I thought I’d share the things I do that keep me on track with staying healthy and feeling my best.
1. Add collagen to coffee or a smoothie. I’ve been using collagen powder for over a year and I’ve really noticed a difference in how I look and feel. My skin is smoother and more radiant and my joints don’t ache like they used to pre-collagen. I’ve always been really rough on my joints/knees because of running and other intense workouts but I’ve truly never felt better while working out thanks to collagen supplements!
2. Take vitamins. I’ve been pretty consistent with taking vitamins ever since I started taking prenatals when I was pregnant with Blair. Nowadays, I still take a prenatal vitamin and I also take Vitamin B (for energy) and Probiotics.
3. Always wash face in the morning and at night. I got on a consistent skincare routine about six months after having my first baby using Rodan + Fields, as my skin was out of control (breakouts and uneven skintone). Nowadays, I still use my trusty R+F skincare but I also add in some other things like a charcoal mask a few times a week to keep my pores clear. I think at the very least, washing your face at night to remove makeup is key to slow the aging process.
4. Drink lots of water. I’ve always drank plenty of water, but it’s a lot harder to keep track of and remember to drink more when I’m running behind two kids all day. This is one that I still have to actively remind myself to do or I’ll forget, but fortunately, I actually love water and other than coffee, it’s the only thing I drink. I gave up Diet Coke basically after college and I don’t like to drink my calories, either, so water is clearly my go-to! Most experts say you should drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Example: if you weigh 130, you should drink at least 65 ounces of water per day.
5. Add fruit and veggies to every meal. This is one I’ve excelled at in recent years. I’ve always enjoyed eating “healthy,” but have been known in the past to eat a protein bar for a meal or two. Now, I really focus on whole foods, so I try to have some fruit with breakfast (usually either a green smoothie with berries/banana or a protein pancake with strawberries/banana on top), a salad with chicken for lunch and always, always, always have a green vegetable with dinner (asparagus, broccoli, green beans, peppers, etc.). Not only do fruit and veggies fill you up (because, fiber!), but they really add something to your meal.
6. Go for a walk every day. I started doing this about halfway into my pregnancy with Blakely. I worked out daily when I was pregnant with Blair (baby #1) but was so much sicker the second time around and really didn’t get back into my workout groove until halfway INTO my pregnancy. At a minimum, I started walking with the stroller daily and continued after Blakely was born (I started taking walks around the block a few days postpartum…being active always makes me feel better). Now, Blakely is almost two and has been on a walk just about every day of her life (minus when the weather is bad, of course) and Blair loves going, too. It’s a nice way to get out and enjoy the weather and burn some extra calories, too.
7. Schedule workouts. Most days, I also squeeze in an actual workout of some sort, too. For a while, it was Pure Barre 3-4 times a week, but I am currently doing my second Beachbody program (80 Day Obsession), which has a daily workout. I am fitting a Pure Barre class into my weekly routine, too, because I just love PB! When I used to work full-time in an office a few years back, I always worked out when I got home from work, so usually between 6:30-7:30. Now that I stay at home with my girls (and freelance), I have a lot more flexibility in my schedule BUT I still have to set a time and stick to it, or otherwise, I’ll end up losing track of time and realize I never worked out. I’ve found that after my girls’ nap is usually the best time for me – we go in their playroom and I work out while they play. Make that time for yourself, whether it’s early morning, mid-day or even at night – it’s worth it!
How many of these things do you already do? Do you have any other stay-healthy tips? Share in the comments below!
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