When we are trying to lose weight, a lot of what we need to do revolves are being organised, prepared, alert, and ready for action.
So what do you do when your get up and go has got up and gone?
When the kids are sick or irritable (don’t you just love teething, colds, fever, clinginess…); you’re not feeling 100% (up all night tending to kids, can’t sleep, mastitis, stomach upsets, colds and flu); you or your partner are stressed (work hassles, finance worries, family issues); or any number of other issues that can crop up day to day. 
The first thing to remember is that this is a normal part of family life. It doesn’t make you a bad mother if you don’t have the energy to do all the things you normally do.
Once you become a mum, sleepless nights and feeling tired are just part of life and you need to take time to rest and revive when you can.
Here are 7 tips for staying motivated when you’re not feeling well.
1. Ask for help
This is one of those times that you really should reach out to people and ask for a hand.
- Could someone come and watch the kids while you sleep?
- Could someone else drop over a meal for dinner if you can’t face cooking?
- Could your partner manage bedtime while you take a walk to clear your head?
Most people are all too happy for help, but they’re not mind readers – you have to be brave enough to say that you need them to do something to help you out.
2. Choose your battles
Now isn’t the time to worry about things like potty training, weaning, catering for fussy eaters, or trying to get everyone in the car to visit your aunty.
When you’re under the weather, it’s time to take time out and makes things easy on yourself. The other stuff can wait.
3. Find quick dinner options
If dinner is proving to be a hassle as you have no energy, look to the freezer as a source of your next meal. Hopefully you have a few meals stashed away for a rainy day that you can tap into. Here are lots of freezer meal ideas here
If not, stock up on things like frozen fish or chicken breast fillets that you can easily pop in the oven with some diced sweet potato, and serve with some frozen peas or tinned corn.
You can also make a quick and easy soup by tossing 3 cups of vegetables and ½ cup of brown rice into a pot and covering with some chicken stock. Simmer for 3 hours, and then just blitz it in the blender and serve with a wholegrain roll. Here are some soup recipes to try too
If all else fails, there is absolutely nothing wrong with serving scrambled eggs on toast for dinner. The kids will probably love it!
4. Drink up
Water is essential for all of your bodily functions, but trying to run on empty when you are dehydrated can lead to headaches, more nausea and of course a complete lack of energy.
Try chilled herbal teas if water isn’t doing it for you, or add some freshly squeezed lemon, lime or orange to still water for extra vitamins. Read here about herbal teas
5. Nourish yourself
It can be very tempting to reach for the old comfort foods when you don’t feel great.
But a burger and greasy fries aren’t going to give you the energy or nutrient boost that you could get instead from a meal like soup or some roast veggies with brown rice.
As the mum, you need to try and help yourself recover by ensuring that you don’t skip meals (Healthy Mummy Smoothies are great when you’re short on time – and you can always choose a milk free option if you are queasy).
Skipping meals or snacks zaps your energy even more, sending you into a slump that often sees you clawing for a chocolate bar just to keep your eyes open.
6. Nap when you can
This is not the time to be a martyr and feel as though you need to stay on top of the ironing, washing and cleaning that you normally do.
Now is the time for napping when you get a chance – even a quick 20 minute power nap can work wonders for your energy levels.
7. Get outside
You might not feel like it but getting outdoors for a short stroll can really help lift your mood (if you can manage it).
Even a walk around the block can be enough to recharge your batteries and see you through until you are feeling well enough to exercise again.
