Working Moms and Losing Weight

     As a busy working mother, I don't have a lot of time to commit to lengthy workouts and even less time to commit to a gym membership. I finally gave mine up because I was sick of paying Big Gym close to $100 a month to NOT use it. It seems that once they get you to charge it on your credit card, it gets lost in the shuffle. As spring starts to show its head (and my jeans are the tightest they have ever been) I am forced to reevaluate my weight loss strategy.

While exercise plays an important role, I have kids and a dog. Between the two, I should be able to get my workouts in. The problem is, and always has been my diet. I will admit that I love to eat. I am not a great cook so I love to eat out and when my husband cooks, he is an excellent cook. As a former athlete, I was used to eating whatever I wanted. Now that I am not exercising and I am working long hours, I have to recalibrate my program. I have to exercise a little and eat much better. I went in search of advice on how to implement this new life plan.

Here are some great tips I found to help you lose weight for spring:
1. Make a few easy changes in your diet that won't have you craving. Cut out soda this week. Next week cut out chips. This is easy to follow and you won't miss what is missing.
2. Make better choices at restaurants. We all know that we consume more calories when we eat out. When eating out, order the cheeseburger but have a salad instead of fries. Or if you need those fries, order a dinner salad instead.
3. When grocery shopping, avoid the asile that has all the snacks in it. You know the one - the asile with all the chips, snacks and dips.
4. Make sure you eat breakfast! Skipping breakfast is a big mistake because you are so hungry at lunch, you will make bad choices. So take the time to have some protein in the morning! (eggs, eggs, eggs)
5. Exercise when you can, it all counts. You don't need to suit up and go to the gym to burn calories. Vacuuming the carpet burns calories, going up and down your stairs burns calories, take your dog for a walk, do pushups and situps or make 5 trips up and down your stairs. It all burns calories so do it! It adds up!
6. Give yourself rewards other than food. I used to do this all the time - if I work hard, I can stop at McDonalds. Not good. Instead, reward yourself with other things like a manicure or pedicure or a favorite magazine and a bubble bath. These things are still indulgent and have NO calories!

Good Luck Ladies, we can do this if we put our minds to it!

1. Prev:Make Weight Loss Easier With This Great Advice!
2. Next:What Is The Best Way To Burn Belly Fat?