As a busy mom, my personal health concerns often get left behind as I spend my time working full time and caring for my lovely baby girl. However, a new year brings new motivation! For 2012, I plan to focus on some key health goals that will help me to feel healthier and pass good health habits on to my daughter. The five new years resolutions I have chosen will not only help me, but also my daughter.
1. Get More Sleep
Good sleep leads to more energy during the day and can even help you lose weight, yet it’s one thing that often gets overlooked in my life. It is easy to stay up after the baby goes to bed and shop online, plan a project, or clean house. For 2012 I will focus on getting more sleep so I can have more energy when I am awake. This will be tough because I am a night owl at heart! However with a daughter that wakes up early even on the weekends, an earlier bedtime is a must.
2. Prepare Healthy Meals
Now that my daughter is starting to eat the same food as us, it is time I focus on making healthier meals for the entire family. Frozen and boxed meals are great, but really aren’t the healthiest. For 2012, I want to learn more recipes and make more meals that my whole family can enjoy, while still staying healthy. Boxed or frozen meals should be limited to a couple times a week, at most.
3. Take Vitamins
My daughter and I have both gotten sick a few times this year, and it’s not fun! In 2012 I am going to focus on taking my vitamins every day. This means not only a multi-vitamin, but also making sure I get enough vitamins in my food. A daily glass of orange juice can do wonders! When I’m healthy, it’s easier to manage my busy life and keep my daughter healthier too.
4. Exercise Daily with my Daughter
It’s hard to find time for exercise as a busy mom, that is why for 2012 I plan to exercise with my daughter. This should be easy since she is learning to walk and loves to go all over the house. In the winter we will take her for walks at the mall or go to special events to get up off the couch. Then in the summer, daily walks outside or to the park will benefit the whole family!
5. Take a Break
In 2011, I used all my vacation time when my daughter was born early in the year. Therefore, it was a very long and tiring year! For 2012 I will take a break! We all need some time off to breath and not think about responsibilities. I am planning two cheap vacations for 2012. These breaks as a family should be good for our health – mentally and physically – as we will get away from it all for a few weeks at least.
These 5 resolutions may seem easy, but it will actually take some mental focus to follow through with them. It is easy to come home after a long day at work and sit on the couch or throw in a frozen meal. To keep myself motivated, I will focus on the main goal – good health for my daughter! I want her to grow up in a healthy and happy environment so these goals will help with that. Wish me luck!