Creating new healthy habits sounds simple enough but let’s not sugar coat it, it’s a lot easier in theory than it is in practice, especially when you’re a mum.
You might start off with the best of intentions but then after a few weeks you slip back into your old habits of finishing off the kid’s peanut butter toast or inhaling a packet of chippies without blinking an eye. Developing and sticking to healthy habits is not for the faint-hearted, it’s tough and it can be a little boring, especially when you realise you can no smash back a snickers bar at the check-out while you’re waiting to be served. The benefits however will be a healthier and happier you, we promise.
5 simple and practical ways you can create new healthy habits.
1. Keep it simple
All the clichés in the world aren’t enough to adequately describe how important it is that you should not try to change every single bad habit you have in one sitting. Be specific in your goals, make it drinking more water, stopping chocolate and wine during the weekdays or reducing your coffee intake. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – sorry I couldn’t help it!
2. Preparation is paramount
As you throw together school lunches and feed fighting kids in the morning, it’s so easy to eat whatever is in front of you – often that’s rejected toast, cereal or leftover pizza (yum). Trick is to have your Smoothie and glass all ready to go in the morning so you’re not tempted to indulge in other foods. Fresh fruit smoothies can be packaged the night before and frozen. Setting a day and time each week for meal prep can save you so much time during the week and help you stay on track with your healthy eating plan.
3. Come up with a ritual
You don’t have wear a feather in your hair and chant around the house every time you’re about to make yourself a salad, but make it the same way every time you do so and soon your healthy new habit will stick. It will become second nature and become embedded in the way your brain. Having habits save time and energy which is perfect for busy mums.
4. Swap out a bad habit for a good one
It’s super easy to lie to yourself that you deserve to eat six chocolate biscuits or drink some wine because you’ve had a crappy day, but you’ll feel worse afterwards. When the urge hits you like a ball to the head, down tools and head outside for a walk around the block or do some star jumps instead. Read our tips on how to get back on the healthy wagon if you fall off. Remember, a bad day does not make a bad week.
5. Ignore the enablers
We all know that well-meaning person who tells us we look great and should not feel guilty about having some treats as we deserve it. These people are enables and when you’re trying to create a healthy habit they should be avoided at all costs. This might be hard if you’re married to one, as I am, but remember that they aren’t doing you any favours, so stand strong or remind them to join your team and help to reinforce your new healthy choices instead of giving you a ‘get out of jail free’ card.
Krystle Allan has lost over 20kg on the challenges
Krystle says “The other day I posted my current photo and think I got a little down on myself. Then someone asked about my before photos and wow!! Over 20kg and stacks of cm’s! What a change! Yes I do have more goals I want to achieve with toning but look how far i have come! Not only that but my confidence has grown so much!
I couldn’t recommend the Healthy Mummy smoothies any higher and wouldn’t have achieved this result without the 28 day weight loss challenge, smoothies, books and of course this group!
Thank you for keeping me on track!”
You won’t regret it!
Join the challenge here