The Working Mother Diet
Exercising with your Family & Preparing Healthy Meals in Advance
A working moms diet must take into consideration the need for extra energy and the lack of time to exercise. These moms need a plan that fits into their busy lives.
If a working mother needs to lose weight, she may have a hard time doing so, even if she knows the basics – eat less and exercise more. Time and energy often work against her. The working mom already spends time away from her family and isn’t interested in taking away an extra hour every day to visit the gym. The workplace may encourage large meals out or a quick something cooked in the microwave or grabbed through a drive-thru.
Exercise
Everyone needs exercise, and most recommendations encourage exercise three to five days a week. Even if a family bike ride and pilates tape fits in on the weekends, exercise shouldn’t take away from family time. Try a family walk in the evenings after dinner or push the little ones in a stroller for an extra work out.
By the end of the day some moms are too weary to even consider exercise. These moms might try using the lunch break at work to sneak away to the gym or starting the day an hour earlier to get in a brisk morning walk or jog. Even two fifteen minute breaks to climb the stairs at the office can help burn necessary calories and offer an energy boost.
Diet
Dieting quickly is complicated. Most diets call for wholesome foods that can’t be found at a drive -in or restaurant. With no stove at the office to whip up something nutritious, working moms must again get creative.
The most obvious solution is left-overs. If a mother managed to find time to create a healthy meal the night before, she should save a bit for lunch the next day. Of course the trick here is finding time the night before. Many working mothers use the weekend as a meal preparation time.
These mothers prepare dishes for the week and put them in the refrigerator or the freezer to have ready as they rush in the door from work every evening. By making five meals on the weekend, there is something healthy for dinner and lunch the next day.
In a tight spot, such as a rushed meal or required lunch meeting, there are other options. The salad is always an optin but be on the lookout for fried toppings or fatty dressings. Consider keeping a bag of precut lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and light dressing at the office to whip up a quick salad for lunch every day.
Losing weight and getting in shape can be done with limited time and energy. The trick is to fit the diet plan in with the already chaotic lifestyle. A bit of planning and creativity can go a long way.
