Monday, October 27, 2008

Burn the Baby Fat - How to Get Motivated to Rise and Shine

By Teresa Brown

Get up early, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth and go to school. It seems simple enough but mornings for many moms are spent in battle with their children to get these things done. So who has time for a morning workout? We all need to find the time because morning workouts are the best way to consistently exercise to burn your baby fat and energize your day. Use these five strategies to help start your day off on the right foot.

1. Plan Ahead the Night Before

Doing the necessary things the night before will minimize the morning rush and get you organized for your day. Take just 15 minutes after dinner to organize and prepare for the next day. Teach your children to be more self-reliant and independent by giving them specific duties such as preparing their school clothes and bags for the next school day. Also encouraging your children to do as much as they can by themselves including making their own breakfast allows you some "free" time to get dressed.

2. Are you Getting Enough Sleep?

The biological importance of sleep is as essential in maintaining good physical and mental health as eating healthy food and exercising regularly. Being sleep deprived can impair your motor skills and may increase your levels of stress, anxiety, mood swings and depression. In a nutshell, a well-rested mom makes a better-adjusted mom. Sleeping re-charges and repairs your body to burn the baby fat and cope with the demands of being a mom for another unpredictable day.

3. Become an Optimist

We have so many blessings in our lives yet we tend to focus on the negative things. Instead of stressing about money, your weight, getting the kids to school in time, etc., you should begin your day by focusing on the positive things in your life. Studies show that practicing positive thinking makes people more optimistic and less stressed. So when you rise, do something that will put you in a positive mind set to complete a morning workout to burn the baby fat.

4. Give your Body some Time to Wake Up

In the wee hours of the morning, instead of getting more shuteye you can ease into your morning by listening to some music while you do some light stretching. A great way to re-hydrate and wake up your body is to drink a tall glass of water. Factor in a few minutes to wake up gradually, instead of waking up in a mad rush to beat the clock.

5. Start your Day with Breakfast

Eating breakfast is obviously a good habit to include in your efforts to burn the baby fat. Breakfast will provide you with the energy to handle the physical and mental "wear and tear" throughout the day. As a rule of thumb, always try to eat your breakfast before 10:30 a.m. For moms in a hurry in the morning, fast and convenient options are endless such as instant oatmeal, a multi- grain bagel, a fruit smoothie, a piece of fruit, or a meal replacement drink or bar.

Mornings are not for every one, but it's the ideal time of the day to burn the baby fat with a good workout. Morning workouts keep your moods positive, your self-esteem up and make you feel less stressed and more energetic to face your day. Plan ahead and give yourself some time to wake up, fuel your body and get in your workout for the day. Focus on the positive outcomes of a lean and toned body, keep a positive attitude and you'll lose the pregnancy weight. - 15683

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