moms-related stories
Busy Moms - Find Time to Exercise
At CafeMom, a blogger posted about how she has no time to exercise. She said her doctor raised a questioning eyebrow but she swears that between work, kids and home commitments there is zero time left to exercise. I don't think there are too many moms who wouldn't sympathize with that; motherhood is a ridiculously busy game. But no time to exercise? I don't buy it.
Taking care of your health has to be a priority in your life. And if you're overwhelmed with other commitments, then it's time to reevaluate to see what can be adjusted or eliminated. Here are a few ideas:
- Family workouts. Choose exercise options that the whole family can do -- hiking, biking, or even a walk around the neighborhood.
- Child-friendly gyms. Find a gym with a child care facility. You can get your workout in while your kids are safe and close by.
- Skip the sidelines. If you attend your child's sporting practices, go for a jog or a brisk walk during the practice. You may be able to get some of the other kids' parents to join you, too.
- Listen to the tried and true. The standard pieces of advice -- get up a half hour early to exercise and work out during your lunch hour -- are often repeated because they really do work.
Body-Image - Are You a Good Role Model for Your Kids?
Fitness, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
Dara Chadwick, author of "You'd Be So Pretty If..."
That's Fit: Why did you choose to write this book about "teaching our daughters to love their bodies"?
Chadwick: This book was born out of a column I wrote for Shape magazine as its 2007 Weight-Loss Diary columnist. In it, I reflected on how my body image had been shaped by my mom's feelings about her own body and how my feelings about my body were shaping my daughter's body image. I realized that I could have an enormous impact on my daughter's body image through my behavior toward my own body -- how I treat it and talk about it. As moms, we're often quick to make negative comments about ourselves, and our daughters pick up that self-critical behavior. I wanted readers to know that they don't have to be perfect or look like supermodels to help their daughters feel good about themselves. Little changes can have big effects.
Chadwick: This book was born out of a column I wrote for Shape magazine as its 2007 Weight-Loss Diary columnist. In it, I reflected on how my body image had been shaped by my mom's feelings about her own body and how my feelings about my body were shaping my daughter's body image. I realized that I could have an enormous impact on my daughter's body image through my behavior toward my own body -- how I treat it and talk about it. As moms, we're often quick to make negative comments about ourselves, and our daughters pick up that self-critical behavior. I wanted readers to know that they don't have to be perfect or look like supermodels to help their daughters feel good about themselves. Little changes can have big effects.
Moms - Do You Take Care of Your Health?
We take care of the kids -- shuffling them to school, to practice and taking them out to fun places whenever there's a quiet moment. We take care of our spouses and homes and jobs and extended families. But most moms have one major flaw -- we don't slow down to take care of ourselves. As busy as you might be, it's important to take care of your own health. CafeMom has five better health tips for busy moms.
Calling all moms: Do you make your health a priority?
Baby Weight - Lose it With a New Jogging Stroller
Calling all moms! Are you having trouble finding time to work in a workout with baby attached to hip? Can't figure out how to juggle diapers and dumbbells at the same time? I've got the solution for you: Get a jogging stroller.The snow will be melting in a few short weeks. Walking is the perfect way to burn off that baby fat with baby in tow, so bundle up that little bundle of joy and head out for a nice long hike. Not sure which one to buy? Babble recently reviewed 24 jogging strollers and chose the best five of the bunch.
Here's the bad news: Winner BOB Revolution retails for $389 ... not cheap by fitness or baby gear standards. But if it's a piece of fitness equipment you're going to use every day, it might be worth the investment. (After all, what does a 12-month membership to the gym cost these days?) But there's good news too; runner-up Jeep Overland Limited is a more reasonable $220.
Armed with the right stroller, you'll never have to squeeze in a workout again. Time to eat that yummy salad you made for lunch? That's a whole 'nother story...
Chasing Your Kids - Is it Fitness?
Ask a celebrity mom how she stays fit and she'll usually demur, "Oh, I just chase my kids around all day." Insert eye-roll. Unless you've got the metabolism of a mouse, keeping your kids busy isn't going to whittle that waist down to the celebrity-standard size double zero. Either they aren't eating, or they're being less than honest.
But for the rest of us -- those who aim to be physically fit but a little more on the average side -- can chasing your kids all day count as fitness? I think so ... that playground equipment can be surprisingly adaptive to an adult workout, after all.
During this week's Walking the Walk experiment, I aim to find out exactly how much of a workout I can get chasing my kids around all day.
Dieting Diaries: Momlogic Moms test drive the hottest diets
.jpg)
Losing weight is usually a concern for moms; shedding the baby weight can take months, sometimes years -- unless you're a celebrity, that is.
Over at Momlogic, some of the moms are trying to lose weight, and they're using the sort of hot Hollywood weight loss programs we're always hearing about. Jenny is trying The Zone, Julie is trying Weight Watchers, Gillian is trying a food delivery service, Jill is trying the ever-bewildering Morning Banana Diet, and Melissa (poor soul) is trying the Master Cleanse diet -- aka, the lemonade, maple syrup and cayenne pepper diet. But she doesn't mind -- she said she did it with ease before and lost 17 pounds.
Working in the Workouts: See Mommy Run
I used to run. I trained for a marathon and crossed the finish line several years ago. I'm trying to get back on the wagon. Running can't really involve my little girl the way other activities do: the playground, short hikes, walks with the stroller, jumping on a trampoline and dancing around the house are much easier ways of getting moving while caring for my 3-year-old. I have a jogging stroller, but have used it for jogging only a few times. It fills in as the rugged wheels we need for traversing grass fields and trails, but usually at a much slower pace. The truth is, my kid weighs me down, literally, more than she motivates me.
That's about to change. At least I hope so. And I'm hoping See Mommy Run can help. A group of women setting an example for their kids, and doing something for themselves, at the same time. Beautiful.
Can cell phones be dangerous to unborn children?
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
There's something about cell phones that make medical alarm bells ring. Do you remember the reports of cell phones causing cancer? How about the dangers of exploding cell phone batteries? Now there's a new risk factor -- researchers are saying that cell phone usage during pregnancy can cause hyperactivity and emotional or behavioral issues in children. Over 13,000 mothers in Denmark were surveyed -- some didn't use a cell phone at all, others used one sporadically, and a third group used their cells often during pregnancy. Their results indicate that using a cell phone as little as two to three times a day during pregnancy can cause health issues -- hyperactivity, conduct issues, emotional issues, or difficult with relationships -- for the children. What's more, if the children used cell phones themselves before age 7 they were 80% more likely to have behavioral issues.
Healthy kids have mom to thank
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
Moms: Pat yourselves on the back this Mother's Day for your ability to influence your kids in the healthiest of ways. Did you know you have the power to nurture your kids in a manner that might change their nature? You can also boost your little ones' IQs, conquer their stress, and ensure they get sick less often? You are a force to be reckoned with. Scientifically speaking anyway.
It's the strong mom-and-baby bond science is linking to smarter, healthier, happier children. Consider this: Nurturing mommy mice can actually change their pups' genes for the better with a whole lot of nurturing. Chances are human moms can do the same thing. Dads play a part too, but it's mom who generally has a more lifelong effect on kids, Mice studies also tell us that nurtured babies outsmart babes who are neglected by their moms, and pups who are snuggled by momma grow into less anxious, more self-assured adults.
Studies of moms and babies conclude that kids of very attentive mothers make friends more easily and get sick much less often.
I often ask moms of happy, well-behaved teenagers for advice. I figure if I stock up on strategies for the next few years, by the time my boys tumble in teen-hood, I'll know just what to do. Most moms feed me the same line: They love their kids unconditionally, they say, and they spend as much time with them as possible. Seems like a solid plan to me. I'm glad science agrees.
It's the strong mom-and-baby bond science is linking to smarter, healthier, happier children. Consider this: Nurturing mommy mice can actually change their pups' genes for the better with a whole lot of nurturing. Chances are human moms can do the same thing. Dads play a part too, but it's mom who generally has a more lifelong effect on kids, Mice studies also tell us that nurtured babies outsmart babes who are neglected by their moms, and pups who are snuggled by momma grow into less anxious, more self-assured adults.
Studies of moms and babies conclude that kids of very attentive mothers make friends more easily and get sick much less often.
I often ask moms of happy, well-behaved teenagers for advice. I figure if I stock up on strategies for the next few years, by the time my boys tumble in teen-hood, I'll know just what to do. Most moms feed me the same line: They love their kids unconditionally, they say, and they spend as much time with them as possible. Seems like a solid plan to me. I'm glad science agrees.
Moms need "me" time, Mother's Day and every day
Stress Reduction, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
A few weeks ago, I went to a movie by myself for the first time ever. I was feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, exhausted. I needed a few minutes of not being needed, and there was no babysitter in sight for a date night. So my husband took over and I took off. Thirty minutes into the film -- 27 Dresses at the $2 theater, if you're curious -- I realized that I was really enjoying myself.
As moms, we make time with our kids a priority, as we should. We also carve out couple time for our partners -- again, important. But far too often, there's little left over for ourselves ... and that's just not good for anyone.
CNN reminds us this Mother's Day that taking time for yourself is just as important as taking time for every other member in your family. When you don't have time to relax and unwind, you create stress on your emotional and physical health. So don't let this Mother's Day be the only day this year that you take time to rest and relax -- make it a regular occurrence. I'm already planning my next solo trip to the movies, but even a bubble bath or an hour alone to read a book in peace may be enough to help you refuel.
As moms, we make time with our kids a priority, as we should. We also carve out couple time for our partners -- again, important. But far too often, there's little left over for ourselves ... and that's just not good for anyone.
CNN reminds us this Mother's Day that taking time for yourself is just as important as taking time for every other member in your family. When you don't have time to relax and unwind, you create stress on your emotional and physical health. So don't let this Mother's Day be the only day this year that you take time to rest and relax -- make it a regular occurrence. I'm already planning my next solo trip to the movies, but even a bubble bath or an hour alone to read a book in peace may be enough to help you refuel.
Healthy snacks for busy moms
Healthy Kids, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
I'm forever leaving my house unprepared for the snack demands my little boys make when we're on the road. My intention is to always have a healthy snack and water in the car when we head out on errands, but more often than not, I forget to plan ahead. Not anymore. I'm borrowing some of these ideas from Family Circle magazine and from now on, I'm going to be the mom who can whip out a nutritious snack with a moment's notice. Here's some of what I plan to prepare.Soy Crisps: We don't do potato chips in our household but we might try soy chips. A huge 140-calorie portion contains only two grams of fat and nearly 10 grams of healthy soy protein.
String Cheese: We are fans of string cheese and really like the Sargento Lite brand. To keep this calcium-filled snack chilled on road trips longer than a few hours, I'll pack it in a mini cooler bag with a mini ice block.
Working in the Workouts: Playgrounds
It's spring and in my Northern Virginia neighborhood that means kids and parents are hitting the playgrounds again. Kids are flocking to swings and slides while parents, mostly moms, sit on benches and gossip, read or do some crafty thing with their hands. Well, here's a novel idea. Get up and get moving with your kids because it's a good chance to get some exercise.My daughter often yells, "Your turn, Mommy!" after her spins on the slides. Climbing the steps and going down the slide over and over has got to be worth something. Then she runs over to the swings and I run after her. Then I push her hard because she wants to go "super high." At one of the bigger, more elaborate playgrounds there's a zip cord. And it's a big hit. My little one isn't quite big enough or strong enough to do it herself, so I prop her up on one arm and run back and forth with her holding on. Believe me, it's a workout.
So put away the phone, reading material and knitting and shut your trap and get moving next time you take a trip to the playground with your kids. You'll be the "cool mom" in your kids' eyes and your body will thank you.
Having kids makes us fat
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
I picked up a copy of Curves' diane magazine while waiting to get my mammogram last Thursday. To pass the time before having my own curves examined, I read this enlightening bit about how having kids makes us fat.
It seems having kids predisposes moms and dads to gain weight. One study reveals that adults living with kids eat 4.9 more grams of fat daily. And 1.7 of those grams are saturated. Yikes. Hey, no one ever said having kids was easy.
Apparently, it's all the kiddie convenience foods -- pizza, burgers, chips, and whole milk -- that cause the damage. Have no fear, though, say nutrition experts. Just cut out the fatty snacks, skip the beef and take up turkey burgers, and trade whole milk for the low-fat variety and you'll be on your way to trimming that waistline. Oh, and don't forget to work in some exercise, a task that often slips off the radar once kids come barreling into our lives.
It seems having kids predisposes moms and dads to gain weight. One study reveals that adults living with kids eat 4.9 more grams of fat daily. And 1.7 of those grams are saturated. Yikes. Hey, no one ever said having kids was easy.
Apparently, it's all the kiddie convenience foods -- pizza, burgers, chips, and whole milk -- that cause the damage. Have no fear, though, say nutrition experts. Just cut out the fatty snacks, skip the beef and take up turkey burgers, and trade whole milk for the low-fat variety and you'll be on your way to trimming that waistline. Oh, and don't forget to work in some exercise, a task that often slips off the radar once kids come barreling into our lives.
Fitness fixes for exhausted new moms
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
New moms have it rough. No doubt about it. Everything from the physical recovery of giving birth to sleepless nights and zombie-like days can drain the best of us. It's hard to imagine good nutrition and exercise ever fitting into the hectic days with wee ones. The experts at parenting.com say it's possible, though. Here are some of their ideas for sneaking in some good-for-you nutrition and fitness.
- Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast, a quick workout, and some tunes. Breakfast quick picks include whole-grain cereal with skim milk, low-fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit, or two hard-boiled eggs with wheat toast or crackers. Workouts can be as short as 15 minutes. Try some squats, lunges, push-ups, and crunches to get the day started. Then belt out some of your favorite lyrics -- singing burns 59 calories per hour.
- Drink water throughout the day to keep your body properly hydrated.
Women in Britain told no alcohol is OK during pregnancy
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Most soon-to-be mothers are great about adhering to the many rules and regulations that are necessary to ensure as healthy a pregnancy and baby as possible. No smoking, fish only once a week and definitely cut down on any pre-pregnancy drinking.
I was actually under the impression that a drink or two a week wasn't actually harmful (I've even heard that the occasional pint of iron-rich Guinness is good for pregnant moms) but then I came across this article from the UK that states some British doctors are recommending that women adhere to a no alcohol policy when pregnant or trying to conceive. The article states that while the Royal College of Obstetricians still asserts that a unit or two of alcohol once or twice a week is safe, many women don't know exactly how much that is and end up exceeding the limit. As a result, Government doctors are urging pregnant women not to drink at all.
I'm a 70s baby , as are the majority of my friends, and while I know that my mother was a teetotaler, I'm sure I've got a friend or relative whose mom smoke or drank a little during pregnancy and they all turned out fine. But I suppose that where the health of a new baby is concerned, it's better to be safe than sorry.
What do you think about the occasional drink during pregnancy?
