Simple Tips for Staying Healthy and Fit as a Single Parent

Being a single parent often means you’re twice as busy as other people and it can be extremely challenging. Taking care of your children probably takes up most of your time, which can make it difficult to take care of yourself as well. However, as much as you’re focused on your little ones, you need to be aware that it’s crucial for you to stay healthy and fit, so that you can give them the best of yourself day after day. Here are some tips on how to achieve this.

Exploit Your Freezer

Preparing meals for your family can take up a lot of your time, especially if you’re making them from scratch. As praiseworthy as that is, what actually matters is that the meals you serve them are healthy, and you can do that even if you don’t actually spend hours in the kitchen every day. This is where your freezer comes in. Stocking it with either the right fresh food or already made meals can do two huge things for you. First, it can allow you to have a balanced and delicious meal even when you don’t have time to cook for your little ones, and second, it can free up some of your afternoons and evenings, so that you can exercise. That’s why, while you’re already chopping vegetables or, for example, chicken breast, chop twice or three times as much as you need and freeze the rest to cut down on prep time for one or two of your future meals. Similarly, if you’re making soup, a casserole or anything else that can be frozen, make it in bulks, so that you can put portions of it in the freezer and just microwave them when you’re too busy to prepare something else.

Choose Your Food Wisely

Processed sugar, salty and greasy snacks and white flour won’t do much for your fitness, nor for your children’s well-being, so avoid them and stick to some healthier alternatives. Fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein and wholegrains are what you should aim for. That’s how you’ll get just enough carbohydrates and fats to maintain good energy levels, but not too much to affect your well-being and increase your weight. In addition, high-protein foods are known to build muscle, so let your diet revolve around them. From eggs to salmon to tuna to quinoa to cottage cheese, there are many options for you to turn to and have a tasty meal while taking care of your body and maximizing the effect of any physical exercise with your menu choice. In addition, if you thing you aren’t getting enough of proper nutrients from your diet, you can always rely on quality supplementation. For instance, you should try a good turkesterone supplement, as it may help boost your carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, while increasing your overall muscle mass and enhance your strength. Such supplements are an excellent solution for anybody who’s trying to get their body in shape, but also those who are simply keen on living and eating healthy.

Wake Up Early

Mornings with children around can get pretty hectic in a matter of moments, especially if you wake up at the same time as them. If your children occupy your mind and your time with their needs and demands from the moment you open your eyes, you surely won’t have any time to deal with those of your own. So, set your alarm clock and wake up before your kids. An hour or even two would be ideal, as that would give you some peaceful time for yourself before you have to focus your attention to your kids’ breakfast, getting them dressed or even something as fulfilling as hugging them. Plus, this may be the ideal time for you to work out. Half an hour on a treadmill in your living room, some online yoga or, if your kids are old enough to stay at home for that long, even a jog in the nearby park will uplift your energy levels and your enthusiasm, while keeping you fitter. Not only will you yourself feel better, but so will your children, being that they’ll get to spend time with a more cheerful and energetic version of you as soon as they’re out of their beds.

Accept Friendly Support

Your parents, siblings, relatives and close friends probably adore your children and would love to spend some quality time with them, at least occasionally. If this is the case, perhaps you can take advantage of it and, while your children are with them, you can dedicate some time and attention to yourself. Make the best of this free time and try to work out, but also relax as much as possible. Namely, if you’re stressed and overworked throughout the week, and your children are staying with somebody for the weekend or at least a part of it, you should embrace this opportunity and simply unwind. Taking a long bath, reading a good book or watching your favorite TV show on your own might do more for you than you think. Plus, you’ll be calmer and better prepared for your kids, once they come back home. If you can, you can even get a massage, a manicure or go out and have some fun with your friends. Don’t forget that your mental health matters greatly and that you should have people to talk to and enjoy yourself with, without feeling any guilt about being away from your children from time to time.

Even though your primary concern should always be your family, you should be aware that your well-being and fitness are vital if you want to be as present and as active as you can for them and yourself. So, follow the precious advice above and stay organized to maintain good health and fitness at all times.