ActiveMoms

Right now is a great time to find amazing deals on winter sports equipment. When you are buying equipment for kids, you don’t want to spend too much money because they grow out of it so quickly. If you can estimate their boot size and height for next winter, now is a great time to buy winter sports equipment. March always brings super deals on winter sports equipment, and with the current recession prices have been discounted even more. If you have extra money in your budget you can get some screaming deals right now. Many retailers are offering up to 70 percent off on winter sports equipment.

If you are headed outside for some winter fun, you want to be sure that your baby is well prepared and properly bundled. If your baby has too few layers, she may get chilly, but you can also put too many layers on your baby. A baby that is over-bundled will get too hot, start to sweat, and may then get very cold due to the moisture trapped within her excessive layers. A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are wearing. You should also stop and check on your baby frequently to make sure she is not too warm or cold. And don’t forget a hat!

Protein is important if you are an active mom. If you exercise regularly you should be consuming one gram of protein per pound of body weight each day. That amounts to a lot of protein. If you don’t like to eat much meat, you should know about the protein power that is packed into dark, leafy greens. Spinach and kale have more protein per calories than any other food, including meat. Spinach and kale are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Spinach and kale can be eaten raw or cooked, so try out some new recipes and incorporate these protein packed greens into your diet.

As a mom, you probably don’t have a whole lot of extra time. Taking care of your kids takes up most of your time, and it can be difficult to find time for yourself to exercise. When the kids are napping or on a playdate, you may need to just sit, listen to the silence, and enjoy doing absolutely nothing. Exercise is important though, so if you don’t have time to set aside for a trip to the gym, you should at least try to incorporate little bits of exercise into your day. Here are some ideas to get you started: Instead of driving around the block to put your baby to sleep, walk her in the stroller. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Dance while you are cleaning the house to burn extra calories. Park as far from the entrance to the grocery store as you can, and walk with intensity across the parking lot. Have fun adding little bits of exercise into your day!

Working out with music is entertaining and keeps your workout interesting. Now, studies have shown that people that workout with music actually get a better overall workout. People that workout with music exercise at a higher intensity and burn more calories during their workout. So if you don’t currently listen to music while you exercise, you may want to try it. Create a playlist of music that includes some fast paced songs to keep you going while you exercise. The faster rhythms will help you maintain a higher intensity for a longer duration. The music may also keep you from focusing on how tired you are when you are working out, and will help you stay mentally focused and positive while you exercise.

When your next family member has a birthday party, what kind of cake are you going to bake? Cake is a tradition for many families, so if you are trying to eat healthy, bake as healthy a cake as you can. Some healthier cake options include carrot cake or cake made with zucchini, much like zucchini bread. You can also substitute a portion of the butter in the cake recipe with applesauce to decrease the fat content of the cake.  Try using whole wheat flour instead of white flour, and if you are going to frost the cake, use a thin layer to make it healthier.

If you like potatoes, you may want to think about what type of potatoes you are buying and eating. Sweet potatoes are much healthier to eat for many reasons. White potatoes are high in starch and carbs, while sweet potatoes have less starch and carbs, and have a lower glycemic index. A lower glycemic index means that sweet potatoes break down slower, and do not cause a spike in blood glucose levels like white potatoes. This means that the sugar level in your blood stays more level, and you are less likely to then crave more carbs later on. You can cook sweet potatoes just like white potatoes, and they have more flavor, so you may not need to add fatty butter and sour cream.

Juice may not be as healthy as you think it is. Many juices have added sugar, sweeteners, and colorants that detract from their health benefits. Read labels carefully to find juices that are not sweetened. An even better alternative is to eat raw fruit, rather than fruit juice. Raw fruit is the healthiest option because it does not have added sugar, and it contains fiber that is good for your body and diet. To encourage your kids to eat fruit, let them help pick out fruit while you are at the grocery store. Persuade them to pick out fruits of different colors, so that your family has a wide range of fruit to eat at home.

Sledding with your kids is a fun way to spend time with your kids and burn some extra calories. Sledding is a physical activity that can be very strenuous if you want it to be, and you can burn hundreds of calories per hour. Instead of just watching your kids sled, hike up and down the hill vigorously alongside them. Sled or hike down the hill with your kids, and then offer to carry the sled and climb the hill with intensity. Your kids will love that you are not just watching them sled, and you will  get a great aerobic and cardiovascular workout in the process.

For those moms that love to be active and have a new baby, baby carriers are priceless. Baby carriers, such as the Baby Bjorn or Snugli, that allow you to position the baby on your chest facing you are a great way to keep your baby close to you, and still move around and get things done. My daughter loved her Baby Bjorn. I would put her in it facing me, and she would sleep for hours while we went for hikes, or just did chores around the house. As she got a little bigger, I began to face her out, so she could see what was going on. We even went to the gym together, and I did several aerobics classes with her in the Baby Bjorn. She loved it. When you are wearing a baby carrier, remember to keep your abdominal muscles tight, otherwise you will put extra strain on your lower back muscles.