TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

ELEVEN DIET TIPS FOR BUSY MOMS (OR ANYONE)
I found this article online and thought I would share these tips over the next two days. I am going to follow a few over the next few days while spending with ALL of my grandchildren. I cannot wait.

As a busy mom it is hard enough to find time to handle your daily responsibilities, let alone find the time to lose that extra weight. It seems easy enough for people to tell you what you need to do to get rid of that excess fat but how do you manage to fit workout routines into your hectic schedule? Where is the time that you need to shop for the ingredients and then prepare those special, low-cal meals?

Well, there really are a number of ideas that you can use to help lose that weight, and these 11 tips are easy enough to fit into any busy schedule.

1. There are gyms and exercise classes that offer child-friendly facilities that you can use. Many of these places have well established baby sitting services that they can offer. Some even include computer classes and exercise sessions that will keep your kids entertained while you exercise privately with other moms.

2. Make it a fun activity for the family to clean the yard, walk the dog or take your youngest children for a ride in their strollers (or on their bikes). These are family oriented moments that provide you with the motivation and inspiration to burn off some of those unwanted calories.

3. You can begin a kitchen garden in your back yard that will provide you with healthy veggies and let you burn off some of those fat calories as you weed, hoe and plant. Teach your kids about the benefits of regular exercise and a well balanced diet, and you will be helping inspire your own efforts to lose weight at the same time.

4. Raking leaves should be fun and it is a great opportunity to run, jump and leap about your yard with the kids. Sure you can hire someone to do this job for you but you will be giving up the chance to lose weight, get in shape and bond with your family.

5. Ride your bike or jog alongside your youngsters as they ride their own bikes around the block or along the biking paths at the park. Why would you want to sit on a bench and let your kids get all the benefits and enjoyment out of this naturally healthy exercise? A ½ hour on a bike can burn more than 100 calories and the bonus of this weight loss activity is that this is time you are sharing with your children.