Having raised five kids of my own, I understand the wonderful chaos that comes when the kids are out of school for summer, winter, and spring break. Trying to stick to a routine is almost impossible. Just when you get back into the swing of things, boom, it’s time for another break. This time with your family is a beautiful thing and it goes by so fast that you don’t want to miss a thing... but you still need to take care of YOU! If you don’t, who will?
Finding a Healthy Balance
Adria Lombardi • August 12, 2025
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If you don't... who will?
Finding time to take care of your health, both mental and physical, is essential!
As a parent, your kids are counting on you to take care of their needs. This is what you signed up for when you brought these little humans into the world. They watch what you do. They learn from what you show them. They can’t help but to mimic your behaviors. What do you want them to see? What do you want them to learn? What do you want them to mimic? I’m going to take a guess and say that you want them to be their best selves, so show them your best self.
Taking care of your body and mind is one of the greatest signs of self respect. It shows that you love yourself enough to give your body and mind the tools needed to perform at the highest level. When you perform at your highest, you can provide your loved ones the things that they need without having to fight to” feel like it”. I want this for YOU and for your family.
Tricks to stay on track
Here are a few tricks that have helped me stay on track when everyone else has a plan for my time:
- Plan your menu for the week (keep your meals simple). You have to eat… multiple times a day. Don’t wait until you are hungry to prepare. Find things that you can make in big batches and eat dinner leftovers for lunch the next day. It’s always easy when everyone can eat the same thing, but that isn’t always the case. (You are not a toddler that refuses anything but chicken nuggets or a 16 year old boy that needs all the carbs in the world to fill his hollow leg.) Your fuel needs are different so feed your body accordingly.
- When you are out and about, pack an ice chest or lunch bag with food that is conducive with your goals. Always be prepared. You will get hungry! Skipping a meal is not an option if you are planning on reaching your goals.
- Schedule your workouts as if you were planning a work meeting. Non-negotiable! If the only time you have to workout is at 5 am, then set your alarm and get your booty outta bed! If you wait to see what the day will bring, it’s most likely not going to happen. (Your rambunctious little fan club has other plans for your time and you and I both know that they will win every time.)
- Keep a regular bedtime routine. Sleep is essential for brain function, mental health and energy level. Even if the next day is just a lazy day, going to bed at the same time every night helps regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).
DO you promise?
Keep the promises that you make to yourself! You wouldn't break a promise made to your kids or your spouse? Have that same integrity when speaking to yourself.
Trust me when I say, I know this is especially challenging at times. But here’s the thing… you can do hard things!! You’re a parent aren’t you? That alone proves that you are capable of overcoming challenges.
Let me put it this way, if you saw that your child's health was suffering and you had the control to do something about it, you would stop at nothing to do what’s right for them. Now apply that same determination to your health and wellness! If not for yourself, do it for the ones that love and count on you the most.
Go prep your meals and schedule your workouts! I believe in you!♥️
What is your biggest roadblock in this stage of your life? Share with me in your comments!
MORE RECENT POSTS
There’s a common belief that motivation is the key to success… but here’s how I see it: when we remove the small roadblocks and focus on building one habit at a time, staying on track becomes so much easier and much more sustainable. If you struggle with staying consistent with your healthy habits, here’s a little tip: Make the healthy choice the easiest choice. When something is simple, visible, and within reach, we’re way more likely to follow through. When it’s buried in effort, even the best intentions slip. Here are a few small tweaks that make a big difference: ~ Put your water bottle where you’ll see it. ~Lay out your workout clothes the night before. ~Keep protein options prepped and ready. ~Leave a yoga mat out so you’re more likely to stretch. ~Keep walking shoes by the door. ~Stash healthy snacks in your car or bag. This isn’t about piling more tasks onto your day. It's about making the healthy choice effortless. When it’s easy, consistency is much more likely to happen. So here’s your challenge today: Pick one healthy habit you want to build… and remove one barrier that’s been slowing you down. You’ve got this! ~ Adria
Do One Thing Every Day to Improve Your Health We tend to think health has to come from big, dramatic changes … the new program, the strict diet, the perfect morning routine, the full reset on Monday. And while all of those things can help, they’re not what actually move the needle in real life. Real change happens in the tiny, almost boring choices we make every single day. That actually sounds like great news to me! It means that you don’t need a whole big production to make change. You just need one small thing at a time. Do it consistently and you are headed in the right direction. Why “one thing” works When you break it down, doing one thing each day removes the overwhelm. You aren’t expecting unrealistic dedication from yourself. - One thing feels doable. - And when something feels doable, you actually do it. - One thing builds momentum. Momentum builds confidence. Confidence fuels bigger change. And suddenly you realize you are making progress! What counts as “one thing”? This is where it gets easy to overthink it. Your “one thing” doesn’t need to be a workout or a perfectly prepped meal. It just needs to make your body or mind feel better than it did yesterday. Some ideas: - Drink one extra glass of water. - Get outside for 5 minutes and breathe real, fresh air. - Add one serving of protein to a meal. - Stretch for 3 minutes before bed. - Put your phone down during dinner. - Go to bed 10 minutes earlier. - Take a short walk (literally, it can just be to the end of the street and back). - Say “no” to something that drains you. - Do 10 bodyweight squats while your coffee brews. None of these feel life-changing… until you do them again tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after. Small choices lead to big changes! The truth is, you don’t need to overhaul your life to be healthier, you just need to take ownership of today. When you pick one small thing you’re able to say, “I can do this,” you teach yourself that you are capable. You keep promises to yourself. You build trust. And that trust is what makes the bigger steps possible later. One small daily action is like compound interest for your health. It adds up. It matters. And it works. How to start today Choose one. Just one. What’s one thing that would make you feel a little better today? Not starting Monday, or after Thanksgiving or for the New Year … Starting TODAY. And tomorrow, pick a new “one thing” or you repeat the same one. It’s a very simple formula: Small, consistent habits = big, long lasting results
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