6 tips to a healthy start for the busy mom.

Its shouldn't be hard to get a healthy start, so here are some small changes that can go a long way. Here are 6-tips to help you get your healthy journey started.  Pick one a week, try one at a time, or all at once.  No matter what...you have already started cause you are readin this!

1- Stay hydrated...carry a water bottle with you and keep one in your car.  Keeping yourself hydrated is key! If water isn't your thing, grab one of your kids juice box for yourself!

2- Food shopping quickly- stay at the perimeter of the store and try to eliminate the isles.  Most of what you'll need are on the outside of the isles.  Most of the processed and foods with preservatives are in the isles.  Take the test and try to avoid the isles next time and see what you end up with and how much time you saved too. I do however recommend always having some frozen vegetables for those times when you need to make a quick meal and run out or just don't have time to prepare the fresh veggies. My staple frozen veggies of choice are broccoli, peas, snow peas, spinach, butter nut squash, string beans.

3- You get a snack pack too - if you are making lunches for your children make an extra for yourself.  This will prevent you from making unhealthy meal choices throughout your day.  Apples, carrots, celery sticks, peanut butter and jelly, turkey, yogurts, dried fruit, healthy cereals, trail mixes, bananas, mushrooms, strawberries, blueberries, cucumbers...all easy quick throw in the bag options.  I also like mini luna bars and chobani yogurt tubes.  Shop with these ideas in mind.  They may just be the trick to give you some time to prepare a healthier choice then grab a quick fix cause you are just to hungry to wait.

4- Sneakers - if your sneakers are 6 months or older and have been put to good use (twice a week or more) then it is time for a new pair.  Each foot is different and your natural shape and step pattern can be fitted for the right sneaker.  Find a local sneaker store and ask them to fit you for a running or cross training sneaker.  Also remember that comfortable workout gear can change your experience and so investing in a good pair of sneakers is a factor to eliminating injury and enhancing your experience.  Same with a good bra.  Those tatas need support too!

5- Proper stroller form - get your posture in alignment.  You want to keep your elbows bent and at your side with your shoulders back and down, your chest out and you looking at the horizon.  Many push with their arms and their back hunched over which is a sign of a weaker core.  You need to engage your core muscles when pushing a stroller.  Try pushing with two fingers and youll be using your core with minimal effort.  This takes practice so start working at it.

6- Lighten the load - try using a smaller bag and leave the extras in the car.  We all started with the heavy diaper bag & so when shopping for a new bag, go small and compartment oriented.  Make it functional and as light as you can.  Always leave the emergency bag in the car.  Peace of mind always helps!

Motherhood is tough, but mothers are tougher!