Take care of YOU!

If you’re a parent or carer, chances are you spend a lot of your time looking after others. You will put the needs of your kids before your own, and if you do decide to take some time for yourself you can end up feeling guilty or selfish.

But what we need to remember is that if we’re not well or let ourselves go, then we are no good to anyone. Not only will you struggle to be a good carer if you’re in poor health and low in energy, but you are also not being the great role-model your kids deserve to look up to.

Sometimes too, I worry that we use “I’m too busy with the kids to eat well or work out” to justify laziness, and that’s even worse.

When my kids were very little I used to feel kind of selfish. I remember I used to stick them in a play-pen while I ran on the treadmill. They didn’t always like it, but I figured it was 45 mins out of their day, and they’d survive. And if my run made me physically and mentally in a better place, then it was worth a few tears.

There’s been so many kids who come to our group sessions week-in week-out, and those kids can do burpees better than anyone! They’ve never been taught as such, but they’ve been watching, and we all know how observant and sponge-like kids can be. So, they see fitness as part of their Mum or Dad’s regular routine, and they don’t know any different. And same applies at home with food, if they see you eating your veggies, limiting treats, etc, you’ve got more chance of them following suit.

So don’t feel selfish, keep reminding yourself that your healthy habits are not just for you, you’re doing it for the whole family!

Have a great day!!

Paula