Mommy Motivator

Week of 1/6/08

You may have read my previous post where I posted a dancing video for motivation. Well, guess what!? You can use dance as a form of exercise too! Hellooo Captain Obvious - Of course you knew that!

Trying to complete a 30 minute exercise session can be difficult for busy moms, so try dancing for 10 minute sessions 3 times a day. Dancing will give you an instant mood boost and burn calories. It is also a safe, fun and easy way to exercise with your kids of all ages. One of my favorite memories growing up was dancing with my mom around the house.

I read a blurb in Good Housekeeping today that said “Getting your child to exercise for just 15 minutes a day at a pace that leaves her a bit out of breath may cut her chances of becoming obese almost in half…” (Monica Monzingo, January 2008) So turn on some upbeat music and get the family moving!

Hello Mommies!

In order to keep up with our kids and our many roles as a mother we need to take a little time to focus on ourselves and get healthy! The other night while I was up trying to rock Colbin (our oldest) back to sleep, who was struggling with a belly ache, I fell victim to a middle of the night infomercial. I lied, I wasn’t a victim…I love those things!!! After watching this health focused infomercial I came to the realization that Read the rest of this entry »

Hey Mommies,

Do you wake up some/most mornings feeling tired and lacking the energy you need to engage with your kids 100%. Your kids deserve to have an energetic mommy and you deserve to feel good! With this in mind, I challenge and motivate you to take a cold shower (as cold as your water will get) every morning before you start your day. I have been taking cold showers for a few years now and it makes me feel amazing. At first the cold water will take your breath away, but then your body will adjust and feel so alive. The cold water Read the rest of this entry »

Week of 12/29/07

‘Milk’ Your Free Time

Hey Mommies, set a positive example for your kids by working out and teaching them the importance of taking care of their bodies.

If you do not have weights at home and/or don’t go to a gym, here is an excellent and inexpensive way to tone your body:

Materials Needed: (2) gallon or 1/2 gallon milk jugs; water

Fill the jugs with water to your desired weight. (Note: Be sure to start with a weight that feels comfortable to you). The Women’s Heart Foundation provides a great dumbbell workout that you can use as a guide. I personally use this workout. The routine is perfect to use while catching up on your soap operas or working in the office. Great energy boost too! Mommies don’t forget to include your kids! Give them empty jugs so they can join you in your quest for a healthier life. My 3 year old loves to exercise with me and is learning the importance of being fit. Exercising with my son also gives me the opportunity to teach him about his body and to work on his counting skills. We count reps together! When my son is lifting his empty jugs he will say ” Mommy, my heart and muscles are getting stronger”.

Bonus Creative Tip: Let your kids decorate their jugs. Example: Spend some time looking through some magazines with your kids and let them find fitness related pictures - balls, people exercising, running shoes, etc. Then cut the pictures out and glue or tape them to their jugs.

Dance like no one is watching

Ladies, whenever you need an energy boost play some upbeat music and get your groove on. My kids love to dance around the house with me and are sad when dance time is over. Music is very motivational and is great mood lifter. Have fun and dance, dance, dance!

Every mother should love when a fun learning experience is just handed right to them without any work at all. I exaggerated a bit in my title, but we did get 1/2 inch. Still quite a bit for a girl born and bred in Miami. My oldest son, Colbin, woke up asking “Did it snow?, Did it snow?” When he looked out the window his eyes just glowed with excitement knowing that his day would be filled with snow ball fights and possibly a sled ride. My youngest son, Cason, just started his routine run around the family room anticipating that something fun was about to happen.

Read the rest of this entry »

Banana Caramel Cake (Submitted by Donna C.)

Donna C., mother of 3, from South Carolina submitted this recipe to us via email. She likes to bake this cake for Holiday gatherings. This is her husband’s and kid’s favorite cake!

Recipe:

Read the rest of this entry »

The timing of this post was purely strategic. I’ve had my blog up for a few days now, but what better day is there than January 1 to start motivating mommies. Resolutions…we all make them. But, do we actually follow them? How many of you are going out to buy a gym membership tomorrow? How many of you will conveniently lose your card by March 1?

It’s a New Year mommies! Did you accomplish everything you wanted in 2007? No? Press the reset button and begin with a clean slate. If 2007 was great for you and you achieved your goals, strive to make 2008 even better!