Spring is here and I don’t know about you, but spring time always makes me want to clean out the crap! You know what I’m talking about…. All the closets, cabinets, and drawers that have caught everything from the kids artwork to snow boots, to random socks and gloves here and there. It just feels like such a clean start when you get everything cleaned and organized, which for me also reduces anxiety… and I always need that.
For overwhelmed moms juggling the demands of work, family, and everything in between, this season also presents a perfect opportunity to reassess our habits and prioritize our health. In this post, we’ll explore how to spring clean your nutrition, focusing on losing body fat, boosting metabolism, and achieving overall wellness through a series of steps.
Assess Your Current Eating Habits
Before diving into any dietary changes, you really need to take stock of your current eating habits. Are you reaching for processed snacks out of convenience? Do you find yourself skipping meals or relying on takeout more often than not? By identifying areas for improvement, you can tailor your approach to better suit your lifestyle and goals.
Eat More Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods
One of the simplest ways to kickstart your journey to better nutrition is by prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats into your meals. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while keeping you feeling satisfied and energized throughout the day. I really can’t stress this step enough!
Focus on Portion Control
For many moms, portion control can be a game-changer when it comes to managing weight and improving metabolism. Pay attention to serving sizes and avoid oversized portions, especially when dining out or indulging in treats. Opt for smaller plates to help control portions and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. And for the love, stop eating your kids sandwich crusts. You know you do it.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Proper hydration is key to supporting metabolism and overall health. Make it a priority to drink plenty of water throughout the day, aiming for at least half of your body weight in ounces or more depending on your activity level. For example, if you weight 150 lbs, shoot for 75 oz of water. Herbal teas and infused water can add variety and flavor to your hydration routine while keeping you feeling refreshed and switching up the boring ole water routine.
Incorporate Regular Exercise
I don’t know about you, but as a working mom, exercise has always been the hardest part to work into my schedule. Between work, kids practices, cooking dinner, and everything else we do, it can feel like we have no time to exercise, right? Or maybe we have the time but we don’t want to get our hair sweaty (you know you have this thought too but that’s the beauty of a blow dryer and dry shampoo). But here’s the deal: incorporating regular exercise into your routine can help accelerate fat loss and boost metabolism and its important for our health and longevity.
Choose activities that you enjoy and that you can fit fairly seamlessly into your schedule, whether it’s a brisk walk with the stroller, a yoga class during nap time, or a 20 minute full body strength session.
Be More Thoughtful with Your Choices
Mindful eating involves paying attention to your food choices, but what does it actually mean? It means you need to be thinking about your food choices every time you eat. Do you really want that old 3 day donut or are you just eating it because it’s there on the counter? Will you really find satisfaction in those PB&J crusts you’re about to eat because why not? Girl, I can almost guarantee you don’t actually want old donuts and old crusts.
Thoughtful eating also means savoring each bite, and tuning in to your body’s hunger and fullness signals. Avoid distractions such as screens or multitasking while eating, and take the time to truly enjoy your meals. This mindful approach can help prevent overeating and even promote better digestion. I know it feels like we’re always in a hurry, but try to slow down.
Plan and Prep Ahead
As a mom, planning and meal prep can be your best allies in maintaining a healthy diet. Set aside time each week to plan your meals, make a grocery list, and prep ingredients in advance. Having healthy options readily available makes it easier to resist temptation and stay on track, even on hectic days when you just want to hit the drive thru.
Want a bonus tip? I like to make a grocery order at the end of the week to prep my fridge and pantry for the weekend too! I find that as a family of 5, we’re typically running low on things by Friday so this helps us eat well through the weekend as well.
If you don’t want to mess with planning your evening meals for your family, I have a service for that! You can read more about it HERE.
Find Support and Accountability
Lastly, don’t be afraid to enlist support and accountability on your journey to better nutrition. Whether it’s a friend, partner, online community, or a coach, having someone to share your successes and challenges with can make all the difference.
Spring is a great time to refresh your approach to nutrition and prioritize your health. By using these tips I mentioned, you can spring clean your nutrition and set yourself up for success as you go through spring and into summer. Remember, small changes can lead to significant results, so take it one step at a time and celebrate the small wins.
And if you’d love a little extra guidance along the way, I’d love to enroll you in my coaching program this spring. You can apply HERE to start your transformation!
Ready to take charge of your nutrition? If you’re craving personalized guidance, accountability, and a tailored plan to reach your goals, my coaching program is here for you. Say goodbye to your old dieting ways and hello to sustainable, nourishing habits. Apply HERE to start your transformation!
