MMWellbeing
How to be a
healthy, happy mum!
Once you’ve had your baby, you’ll want to get back to looking – and more importantly – feeling your best! Here, TV presenter and author, Katie Piper, who has launched a new fitness, food and lifestyle ‘mum manual' - Healthy, Happy Mum - with her friend, mum-of-four TerriAnn Nunns, tells MM about her tips for getting ‘back to you’…
Here is a typical day for me. Being a busy working mum, every day can vary – from meetings to public events, to washing and ironing! And, although incredibly chaotic at times, I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Early am: Penelope wakes for a feed. Once I have fed and settled her, I try to get back to sleep (often easier said than done).
7am: I get up and begin getting Belle ready for nursery. She is becoming quite independent and often likes to choose her outfit – sometimes I have to guide her as, if I didn’t, she would wear her Ella costume every day!
10am: I don’t often get a chance to grab any breakfast until around 10am, which is usually fruit and yoghurt or a low-calorie cereal.
11am: I begin my exercise. I am lucky as I have trainer who assists with my regime and also helps with motivation (like many people, I often need that extra motivation!). I try to exercise at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week.
1pm: Lunch is often a ‘grab and go’ as I spend most of the day multi-tasking,
42 Modernmum
answering emails and calls, being a mum, loading the washer…it’s all go!
3pm: School run followed by a trip to the park with the girls and my mum.
It’s super important to ensure you make time for yourself, even if it’s just a 20- minute workout, or a ten-minute relax in the bath! Parenting at any age can be tough and can make you forget who you were before baby arrived. By starting a hobby, or taking an interest in something such as a sport, or even a TV show, you will give yourself something to take your mind off your ‘mum duties’ and do something that is just for you. Don’t forget to make time for yourself –
everyone needs a break once in a while! When the kids are asleep, do something that helps you to relax. Meditation is fantastic for this.
‘Down time’ Having a new baby or a house full of children can mean it’s difficult to get any down time. Use that free ‘grown-up’ time wisely and take up a new hobby. Call in a baby-sitting favour - we are sure there will be willing family or friends that would be more than happy to stay with your baby and/or children for an hour or so. If you still struggle to find time – or anyone to
help – then we order you to step away from washing, housework and chores and insist you focus on something that makes YOU happy. I love to relax in a bath with candles and
a good book once my children are asleep, or, if I’m stuck for time, just ten minutes with a cup of herbal tea seems to restore my equilibrium! I am also a reality TV series addict…I particularly like Love Island and Big Brother, although I spend most of my time discussing what’s happening throughout it!
Exercise • You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise. Not everyone feels comfortable, or has the time to go to the gym. Home workouts are just as good and you can even get the kids involved!
• Talk to other mums. Sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences can really help to keep you on track. You can also gain advice and reassurance from other like-minded mums in doing so.
• Allow yourself a treat day. There’s no need to cut your favourite food out of your diet completely as it simply makes you crave it more. Select one day a week where you can really indulge!
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