Like most moms, you’re probably so busy looking after everyone else’s needs, solving problems and getting things done on your daily To-Do lists, that you find it nearly impossible to find the time or energy to eat properly, exercise and come up for air to just relax and just “be”. The multiple demands of our fast-paced society leave moms feeling overtired, overstressed and overwhelmed all too frequently.  This leads to unhealthy eating habits, poor quality of sleep and thereby difficulties coping with daily stresses.  It can simply become too much to have to regularly plan and prepare healthy meals, incorporate daily exercise and find time to enjoy leisure activities alone or socially.  With all the fast food restaurants, microwaveable meals, highly processed and convenience foods available, it is becoming easier and easier to fall into unhealthy eating and lifestyle traps.  Although McDonalds and pizza nights are considered a treat by some, they are too often becoming the norm for many parents and young children.  If you’re overindulging in fast food, take-out, unhealthy snack foods and too much highly processed choices on a regular basis, what message is this sending to your little ones about what healthy eating actually looks like?  Then what happens when you finally decide that enough is enough and you go back on yet another diet to lose the weight fast with the Atkins diet one week eating only protein and minimal carbohydrates and then South Beach the next only to gain the weight back as soon as you go back once again to your old habits?  You have to ask yourself the same question… what is all this dieting teaching your children about healthy eating and positive self-image?  It is giving them confusing and negative messages that will be difficult for them to un-learn just as you are now trying to do.

To become a healthy role model for your childrens you need to lead by example.  Diets are not the answer.  You need to look at your own relationship with food and your inner self and start making healthy changes gradually starting today.  When you eat better you will feel better and as you feel better you will live better.  Your children will notice the difference in you because you will have rediscovered your inner smile and be happier with yourself and have more positive energy to share.  When you look at what is truly important and meaningful and what you can start doing differently to simplify your life, you will then find the time and energy to plan and prepare healthy meals, eat regularly and incorporate more activity into your daily routine.  So for example, stop using unhealthy foods as a reward system such as cookies, cake and other sweets.  Stop filling your cupboards and counters with chips and cheesies and similar snack foods.  Don’t set your children up for developing the same bad habits that you now struggle with.  Spare them the same pain and heartache. 

If giving up your favourite comfort foods is scary, that’s okay.  Perhaps you’re afraid to try for fear of failure.  I ask that you not let the fear stop you from going after what you want for yourself and your family.  Believe in yourself.  If you have trouble doing it alone, reach out for the guidance and support you need.  You don’t have to do it alone!  Start taking better care of yourself. The positive lessons your children will learn from you will last a lifetime so get started on healthy changes today and keep it going.