S.M.A.R.T. Planning

With so many "TO-DO" lists in our lives, it's easy to lose sight of our goals.

It's easy to lose control and slip as we try to check off the various other demands that we label MORE IMPORTANT than our health. There are nights that I am (literally) home for 30 minutes before it's time to hit the sack. Those nights (while whisking kids to various sports or events) have been my downfall, the "give-in" nights, the cheat nights, the nights I elect to fore go my rigorous health routine and opt for the quick and convenient alternatives, despite how unhealthy they may be.

As I was researching my topic today, I came across a startling statistic on Center for Disease Control & Prevention:

The prevalence of overweight children and teens has tripled during the past 30 years, and now rests at 16%...or 9 MILLION KIDS!!!

How ironic is it that the nights devoted to attaining active & healthy lifestyles for my kids is the direct downfall of not only my health, but theirs as well?

After I recovered from my shock, I realized...I am (as all parents are) responsible for that number. My 10 year old daughter, according to her BMI, is in the "overweight" percentile. She is not responsible for that...I am. I have allowed her eating habits to become unhealthy, I have not taught her how to make healthy choices, how to read labels, or how to even become aware of how the things she puts into her body affect it. Because of the excuses I allow myself, my children are starting to suffer. Because of my past poor food choices, my children have picked up on my previous bad habits that I have now changed.

As with any predicament that comes our way, there are several ways to address our situation:

1. We can gather friends & family around and have a day-month-year long pity party
2. We can blame others
3. We can accept responsibility for where we are and our circumstances, and find a way to correct them.

As fun as a pity party may sound, I always chose option # 3.

Since I am a full time working mother with 3 kids, cooking healthy meals every night AND maintaining our active lifestyles is simply not possible. HOWEVER....it is possible to PLAN AHEAD and make healthy "grab & go" meals on slow nights or weekends, so that we can still eat healthy when time is short. We can be S.M.A.R.T. planners:

S - Specific. Write a "menu" with your family for meals and shop accordingly. By taking out the guess work of "What's for dinner", you are more prepared and willing to cook. Prepare sandwiches for busy upcoming days the night before or the morning of.

M - Measure. Measure weight, serving sizes, calories. If you or your family is eating it, MEASURE it. Teach how important a serving size is, what calories are, and how eating too much is harmful.

A - Active. In order to be efficient in maintaining an active lifestyle, you must be PROactive. Have healthy, mess-free snacks on hand; light string cheese, dried fruits, gogurt, baby carrots, and granola bars are just a few examples. Be weary of MOST prepackaged "snacks" specific to kids, as they are high in empty calories and low in nutrition. Avoid cookies, crackers, fruit snacks and frozen treats.

R - Ready. Be ready for unseen events. My kids often come home with "Tonight is our concert" or "Tomorrow is ___________" notes. By preparing 2 dinners when you have time rather than 1, you can freeze a perfectly healthy meal that can be ready within a moment's notice. Chop veggies, portion meats, and ration other items when ever you have spare time. I like to chop all my fresh veggies as soon as I get home from weekend grocery shopping, and even freeze chopped items that may not last until I need them (onions, peppers). Shaving off even as little as 10-15 minutes in prep time can be a godsend when you're pressed for a quick meal.

T - Thrifty. In today's economy, being SMART can serve beneficial both to our waistlines and wallets. Buy in bulk, portion and freeze; Buy containers for storage of both food & liquid for convenient meals on the go. My personal choice is Gladware, because it is durable, reusable, easy to label, and space efficient when compared to other Tupperware brands. Not only do containers save the environment because of their re-usability, but they also save us money. For liquids, the containers I have found to have the best seal are Rubbermaid's TakeAlongs Twist & Seal.

Until Tomorrow you S.M.A.R.T Planners!

Keep healthy, keep safe and keep going!

Have an awesome day!

♥Fit~NOW~Girl♥