Motivating Mom Catherine is a working mom of a toddler who has some great tips for fitting in self-care and fitness with kids and work.

Whether it’s a 15-minute walk, a pedicure, or a single glass of wine consumed in the bathroom while hiding from your family, just carve out a little time for yourself.

I love hearing from other moms and how they stay committed to a healthy lifestyle and model healthy habits for their children. Catherine is a working mom with one little one. She has some great advice for striking a balance and making room for health as well as self-care.

Let’s hear from Motivating Mom Catherine!

If you’d like to be featured as a Motivating Mom, send a message to Exploring Domesticity on Facebook or email exploringdomesticity(at)gmail(dot)com with the subject, “Motivating Mommas.”

Motivating Mom Catherine

Name: Catherine

Number of children and ages: 1 son, age 2 ½

Are you a SAHM, WAHM, or work outside the home mom? I work outside the home

I try to encourage others to develop a healthy lifestyle where exercise is for fun, not punishment, and food is something to be celebrated and shared with our loved ones, not avoided because it’s deemed by society as a “bad” or “off-limits” food.

Describe your background as it relates to health, fitness, weight loss, etc.

I’m a former gymnast and have always led a fairly active lifestyle. I do not work in the health/fitness industry, but I’ve developed a passion for wellness over time after seeing my parents and other family struggle with health problems (some genetic, some preventable) and living in the Deep South where obesity and other illnesses are common.

I try to encourage others to develop a healthy lifestyle where exercise is for fun, not punishment, and food is something to be celebrated and shared with our loved ones, not avoided because it’s deemed by society as a “bad” or “off-limits” food. Having a husband who works in the mental health industry and suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I also try to stress the importance of self-care and nurturing our mental health.

When do you typically fit in your physical fitness?

Since I work 8-5, I don’t have as much time for fitness as I’d like.

Every day, I walk for about 20-30 minutes during my lunch break. Tuesday nights are my gym nights (it’s non-negotiable ☺) and I try to switch things up with various HIIT workouts. Basically, I move my body in whatever way I feel I need—some days, that’s BODYPUMP, other days it’s weight lifting on my own or a light yoga session. As my son grows older, I envision many active outings like hiking local trails, running races together, and bike rides as a family.

How do you make healthy eating a priority?

Meal planning is big for my family.

My husband and I usually pull out our various cookbooks on Saturday and plan 4 healthy, homemade meals for the work week—allowing one night for takeout or something easy and less nutritious.

We also keep a lot of healthy snacks on hand—mostly fruit, Greek yogurt, veggies and hummus, and cheese sticks for a punch of protein.

How do you get your kids involved in a healthy lifestyle?

My child is too young to truly understand health, but I try to lead by example. My son loves to do yoga with me (his favorite—and only—pose is downward dog!), and once he’s a little older, I want to plant an herb and vegetable garden with him and let him help “cook” on the weekends.

What are your biggest struggles?

My biggest struggle is time! Since my husband and I both work outside the home 8-5, it’s difficult to make time for self-care and exercise, even though I crave and feel my best with daily movement.

Also, my son is an incredibly picky eater—so ensuring he eats a well-balanced, nutritious diet is next-to-impossible. Thankfully, he loves hummus, guacamole, nut butter, and bananas, and while those aren’t the healthiest foods, they do have protein and fat and help bulk up his meals. We also depend on Plum Organics and other brand pouches—even though they’re packaged, they’re a great source of vegetables.

While it’s incredibly important to show your children a healthy lifestyle, I guarantee they will remember the snuggles, the afternoons in the pool, and the days spent playing around the house more fondly than entertaining themselves while you run on the treadmill.

What are your biggest accomplishments as a mom?

Honestly, I think my biggest accomplishment as a mom as learning when to relax.

I’ve always been a high strung person, and early in motherhood, I was dead-set on being the “perfect mom”—the mom who breastfed exclusively, who made her own baby food, etc.

As long as we’re fed, clothed, washed, and happy—that’s all that really matters.

What are your biggest accomplishments in regards to health and fitness?

My biggest success isn’t a race PR, a heavy lift, or weight loss. It’s simply learning balance. It’s realizing that my body is a gift and I should treat it as such. It’s learning that a little extra weight after pregnancy isn’t the end of the world, and it’s being proud of my strength instead of chasing thinness.

Share your 3 best tips for moms who are struggling?

1. You have to make time for you.

I’ve felt guilty about self-care, but I am 100% a better mom when I take time for myself. Whether it’s a 15-minute walk, a pedicure, or a single glass of wine consumed in the bathroom while hiding from your family, just carve out a little time for yourself.

2. Trust your gut.

During my son’s first year, we struggled with weight gain. I knew deep in my heart that my son was happy, healthy, and developing as he should, but I let pushy doctors and my own lack of confidence (and probably a little PPD) get the best of me. If I had simply trusted my gut instead of treating growth charts as the gospel, I would have saved myself a lot of heartache.

3. It’s ok if you miss a workout.

While it’s incredibly important to show your children a healthy lifestyle, I guarantee they will remember the snuggles, the afternoons in the pool, and the days spent playing around the house more fondly than entertaining themselves while you run on the treadmill.

Connect with Catherine!

http://cupofcatherine.com

http://twitter.com/cupofcatherine

http://instagram.com/cupofcatherine

http://pinterest.com/cupofcatherine

http://facebook.com/cupofcatherine

Check our other Motivating Mommas and get some great tips for healthy moms and healthy families!

If you’d like to be featured as a Motivating Mom, send a message to Exploring Domesticity on Facebook or email exploringdomesticity(at)gmail(dot)com with the subject, “Motivating Mommas.”

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