STABM: Routine and rituals

Photo credit: Shuttersock

My first step towards achieving my goal is to up my energy, my motivation and my dedication. To do this, I will create a daily routine which I will try and stay faithful to. I have already begun (sort of), although sometimes a few things go a miss (yoga, I’m talking about you…) as the rush to get out the door, or a grizzly baby outweighs my attempt to turn my body inside out need to do yoga. But so far, I aim (and I use that term rather loosely) for my day to look like this:

Early Morning

• Wake up 6.30am
• Three sun salutations
• Drink a glass of water
• Make breakfast for my family

Mid Morning

• Daily chores/blogging/playing with Charlie.
• Light snack (piece of fruit/yoghurt/a few crackers)
• 30 minute zumba workout
• Shower

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Involved activity with Charlie, or outing.
• 10-20 minutes of dancing
• Light snack

Late afternoon

• Housework or30 minute easy exercise plan (or both)
  
• Crafting/blogging (if I have time)
• Light snack

Evening

• Spend time with my family
• Dinner
• 10 minutes of quiet meditation or gentle yoga
• Glass of water
• Bed

As you can see, this schedule only includes changes I am making for myself. My day is a lot more involved, as the life of a SAHM usually is. In this schedule, I have discounted my most of my mum duties and things regarding Charlie (feeding, playing, changing) as he has one of his very own that we try and stick to. I have created my routine to fit around his, with most of my activities and workouts occurring during his nap times.

I have been trying to follow this for about a week now and I think it’s helping me improve. Although, I still struggle with the early morning ones and late evening, as things get a bit chaotic around those times (I think I have yet to do any mediation/yoga!) Still, this is a work in progress and I’m not overly bothered if I miss a few things while I’m getting used to these changes. I do try at get my mid-morning workout in, though. If I only do one thing for myself in a day, I make sure it’s that.

Something I’m struggling with in regards to my routine is the light snacking. I have heard that it is healthier (and burns more calories!) if you eat small, frequent meals. This is such a change for me as I’m used to eating one or two larger meals in day which is probably contributing to my growing girth. Eating always seems to get bumped off my list and then suddenly it’s six o’clock and I realised I haven’t eaten all day. The manly one is encouraging me to stick to my grazing plan and this week I included into our groceries a few things to make light snacks out of. Now I just have to remember to eat them.

Overall, it’s going pretty well so far. My workouts are getting easier (I found it so hard when I started – having a baby had completely zapped my core strength) and I’m feeling a little more energetic. I’m going to stick to this one for four to six weeks before thinking about changing it up, maybe adding in a more involved form of exercise/different activities. BUT for now I’m going to take this and run!  I AM DETERMINED TO GET IN SHAPE.

What’s your daily routine like? What things do you do for yourself each day? How do you stay in shape? Leave a comment and let me know!