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Week 7 and 8 Challenge Review on the Healthy Mummy.
Heading into the end of the second month and on to the last 4 weeks to make up the 12 week Healthy Mummy challenge.
I set my goals for the week and at the end of the week, I go back to review and evaluate to ensure I am on track to complete the goals set.
I find this step is really important to be able to make changes and adjustments otherwise nothing will change if I am not overlooking my daily habits.
My goals throughout The Healthy Mummy challenge are to be:
- Active 3 times a week and the other days to keep my steps up
- Create lean muscle and tone
- Lose weight – the goal is 1-2 kilos within the 12-week challenge
- Create a positive mindset
- Make healthier lifestyle habits along the way
- Meal Prep to make the process easier
- Get the family involved
As busy mums, we all know how hard it is to complete our daily tasks, and throwing in more commitments to making a healthier change into the mix may seem daunting.
It is going to feel in the beginning overwhelming and as if you are not going to have time, but this is where planning and being prepared are really going to make a difference.
Taking the time each week, for me it’s a Sunday, to think and write down how I am going to tackle my week to ensure I have factored in each task and goal to complete is going to set me up without giving up and taking the old easy road.
Meal Planning and writing in my Daily Planner and Journal allow me to schedule, organise and plan for the week which in turn helps me manage my stress levels and also helps ensure I haven’t forgotten anything I need to do during that day.
I have a whole article I have written on the preparation for the 12 week Healthy Mummy Challenge , and I discuss that this is a journey for me, and a lifestyle. I don’t look at this as a diet. This style of living is for life.
Incorporating balance into your lifestyle will help you to understand that eating a wide variety of food is ok and everything in moderation and balance rather than cutting everything out and then finding you cannot sustain this type of diet.
Education and understanding how to incorporate this healthy lifestyle into your day takes time. Adjusting to a new routine will become easier when you have established a routine that works with your lifestyle and family.
I am finding by undertaking the Healthy Mummy 12 week challenge I am gaining more knowledge about eating healthier and also maintaining and implementing this type of lifestyle is not only for me but my family who will benefit from living this healthier balanced lifestyle.
Weekly Meal Prep
As above I take meal prepping seriously. As you have probably found from all my other 12 week challenge review articles I really do believe that being prepared and organised helps me to stay on track and reduces my stress levels with my everyday busy life.
At the beginning of every week on the Healthy Mummy 12 week challenge, I use an hour or so usually on Sundays to plan my weekly meals and snacks in order to eat healthier and not be tempted by unhealthy foods from running out of time in particular at dinner times.
What I love about using a program like The Healthy Mummy, is the app has everything I need to help me meal plan. Each month there is a different healthy meal category, for example, budget, 15-minute meals, summer shred etc.
Each week on Wednesday is when the new meal planner is released for you to plan for your next week of meals. I love the range and variety, you never get bored of the same meals.
You are never left wondering or stuck with coming up with new and exciting meals to keep you and your family happy.
Have you tried meal planning? If you are wondering, I have written an article here Meal Prepping.
Meal prepping is a way to organise and plan your meals and snacks for the week ahead. By doing some chopping, portioning, and even cooking some meals and freezing helps to free up time on the days you don’t have much time.
I find with work, school, and sports after school is a crazy time to walk in the door and feel overwhelmed to try and get a healthy meal up within 30 mins with hungry kids.
Having this in mind I’m ensured on those days I have planned a meal that is ready to simply heat and eat.
Week 7 and 8 Meal Prep
Homemade Pizza Night
This has become a ‘fake-away’ night for our family.
It’s exactly like takeaway only healthier and more delicious!
I get the kids involved in this one. They have a pizza each to top with their chosen toppings.
I make the pizza sauce to limit the amount of sugar and additives and it’s also a cheaper alternative.
Shredded Chicken Tacos
I love using the slow cooker for easy midweek dinners.
This is where the planning and scheduling of a meal will help with making the dinner process easier.
I Like to prep the ingredients the night before so I can place them straight into the slow cooker and turn on to make the morning rush that little bit earlier.
Any leftovers I use for nachos, taco bowls for the lunch the next day, or freeze the leftovers to use for another meal.
Coleslaw Salad
I love salads, they are easy, healthy, and delicious.
Sometimes to make the process even easier I grab a bag of preprepared salad mix to speed up the process.
It’s as easy as grabbing a few containers and portioning out the mix but leaving out the salad dressing so the mix doesn’t go soggy.
Oat Slice
These are perfect for the kid’s snacks or even for work.
I love adding nuts and seeds but when I know they will be for the kids to take to school I just omit the nuts to keep it nut free.
You will want to make double batching or even triple batching to make them last longer.
They are perfect for the freeze. Slice them up and individually wrap them and pop them in the freezer to grab out when needed.
You can grab the recipe here Healthy Oat Slice.
Smoothies
I often have a smoothie. The convenience and knowing the nutritional benefits of a smoothie being packed full of protein and essential amino acids along with vitamins and minerals.
I find if I don’t have protein in my salads at lunch I will grab a portion of protein powder to ensure I have enough protein in my diet at each meal.
Date Night!
I love scheduling a date night.
It doesn’t happen often but when it does the feeling you get from unwinding and taking some much-needed couple time is perfect for the mind and body.
Workouts
I haven’t had much luck here again this week with getting out and enjoying the fresh air for a walk and getting active.
It’s been another wet and rainy week and fortnight with flooding in some parts of Australia, again!
To top it off magpie season is still in full swing.
But having The Healthy Mummy app allows me to still work out with the hundreds of workout programs from the comfort of my own lounge room.
Weekly Tips
As each week I like to wrap up with any new tips that I have learned during each week on the program.
- Take each week as a learning experience. Ensure you look back on your week to gain insight and hopefully gain some knowledge and education into living a healthy lifestyle. Learning throughout your journey will make it possible to succeed and smash your goals.
- If you don’t find time during the day for exercise and you miss that day, that’s ok. Just ensure you jump straight back in and not leave it too long otherwise you will form a habit to make excuses and before you know it you will have not exercised for a long time.
- If you are not big on working out or don’t enjoy it, try and find something that you enjoy. It can be as simple as keeping your body moving around the house while vacuuming or washing the car. As long as you are moving, you are burning calories.
- Balance is key, There are always going to be challenges like birthdays and nights out. Enjoy these times and stick to your healthy eating on the other days to maintain a healthy balance.
I hope you enjoyed my Healthy Mummy 12 Week Challenge review and it has inspired you to take control of your health and fitness goals.
One month to go until the end of the Healthy Mummy Challenge!
See you for my week 9-10 Healthy Mummy Challenge Review.
Amy xx
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