20 Ways to Be Fit

I was asked the other day what I am doing differently to stay fit now that I’m a mom, as opposed to what I did before I got pregnant. The only thing I came up with was that I do everything the same, just on less sleep. While I do consider the fact that the lack of REM cycle sleep probably accounts for slower recovery between workouts, there’s really nothing I can do about it short of sneaking my 7-month-old melatonin pills before bedtime (only kidding, my friends, so please don’t call Health and Welfare). But broken sleep is my life right now, so it is what it is and I’m not in the business of making excuses (just in the business of squishing them with dumbbells). Because of this question I was asked, I decided to create a list of things you (Mr. and Ms. Anyone) can do to be and stay fit. While there are probably at least thirty more things I could add, I like to fit everything on one page so I don’t get hate mail from my readers about the ridiculous length of my newsletter.

So here you have it, 20 Ways to Be Fit!

1. Create short-term goals to keep you motivated.

2. Measure your progress by inches, clothes and confidence – not just the scale.

3. Drink green tea for an extra boost of energy (mid-day is when I pull the green tea emergency card).

4. Only keep healthy foods in your house. If you don’t have junk food in your house, you won’t be tempted.

5. When traveling, bring healthy snacks like nuts, protein bars, low-sodium lean jerky, fruit leather, etc.

6. Create a mini-home gym on a budget with some dumbbells, strength bands and a yoga mat.

7. Set a goal like a vacation to keep you focused.

8. Hold yourself accountable by telling other people your fitness goals.

9. Work out with your partner for support.

10. Enjoy active recreational activities like hiking and biking.

11. Try to limit dining out to no more than once a week, which includes your lunch break at work.

12. If you eat fast food, always order a salad or grilled chicken sandwich and only eat the sandwich with one side of the bun. No ranch dressing or mayo.

13. Eat ssslllooowwwlllyyy! This works wonders for me because I tend to want to hurry through dinner to get evening things done.

14. Get a healthy cookbook and try a new recipe every week.

15. Subscribe to an informational magazine or YouTube channel.

16. Try new exercises every week.

17. Incorporate both weight training and cardio in your exercise routine.

18. Make a personal pact to spend a minimum of 20 minutes a day exercising.

19. Create a workout calendar as a visual reminder.

20. Carry a water bottle everywhere you go. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.