Motherhood brings with it unbelievable joy and a love so big it feels almost impossible that it is happening to you. It is a magical happening that your DNA was blended with your partner’s, nourished inside you and now cuddles you with chubby arms and smiles at you from a milk-drunk face.
It also comes with a lot of changes! My living room now triples as the kingdom of my tiny milky prince, my home gym and where I am finishing my Master’s degree. It works because I have let go. Let go of the perfect workout, the uninterrupted hour to study and anything else that doesn’t serve the mental and physical health of my family.
Motherhood is about adapting and is far more easily achieved by lowering the bar on a few things and being present to what is good and wholesome in the moment. Managed to get 15 minutes of reading in? Gold. Got half-way through the workout? Amazing! The milky prince erupted into gurgles of laughter or demands for a feed when you were in the zone? It happens and being present to the moment with my son is far better for body and mind than worrying about finishing a workout. So, with this in mind, I would love love love to humbly share a few things that have helped me to show up for my family as my best self as my life irrevocably altered.
Meal prepping
Stocking my freezer with plenty of meals! Example: 3 kgs of chicken in the slow cooker with stock, water and Pad Thai sauce. All portioned and frozen in 20 minutes of prep (it sat in the slow cooker 6 hours while I got on with life). As I pull it out of the freezer I can throw it together with noodles and chopped veg. Our family got 8 meals of out of it! Often I’ll throw carrots or a head of cauliflower in for even greater convenience later.
Egg cups! As uncomplicated as possible… 12 eggs, 1/3 cup parmesan, italian herbs to taste, whisked and in the oven for 30 minutes on 180 degrees celsius. What ever I can’t eat over four days goes in the freezer (they keep in the freezer 3 months and are happily reheated when you need them). I also love pre-mixed oat cups, ready to go in the pantry when I need which consist of: 1/3 cup oats, 1tbsp oat bran, 1tbsp collagen, a few walnuts and some dried fruit or a tsp of honey. Early days, when I was in bed with our newborn, my husband would pour in the hot water, mix, cool and bring it to me to nibble on while I was feeding, or nap-trapped
I hardly ever make just one or two meals anymore. I always make extra to store away for when we need. This saves so much time. I am a huge fan of one pot meals and one tray meals to save clean up too. Example: line an oven tray with baking paper, full to the brim with chopped veg and salmon or chicken breast, drizzle with olive oil and season to taste. In the oven she goes at 200 degrees celsius for 22 minutes. Mwaaaah! Perfection and so simple.
When it comes to exercise, I have an ideal in mind and if I get close or even half way to close, I accept it with good cheer. It’s not worth getting hung up on and missing out on a beautiful moment with my family if I have to flex or change the plan and its always, always worth a try!
Walks are ideal as I can take my baby with. If I see an outdoor gym and get in a few sets on something while my son is strapped to me, I consider it most serendipitous.
Home workouts are great as I can sneak it in while he’s napping or my husband is taking him on a walk. You can get a lot done body weight or with a collection of kettle bells if you know what you are doing.
I have been getting to the gym, I cycle off while the milky prince sleeps or has some dad time, get some training in and cycle back. Cardio and weights done!
As a family, we love getting outdoors! Big walks, hikes, discovering new places and showing our baby the beautiful world we have brought him into.
Becoming a parent is the most incredible, wonderful and life-affirming thing I have ever done. Personally, I have found eating nutritious meals and moving my body has enhanced the experience and keeps me feeling bright so long as I let go of perfectionism and have the support and resources to do what I can.
If you are deep in the midst of sleep-deprivation, anxiety or dealing with the rollercoaster of hormones and not quite ready to think about egg cups and kettle bells, take heart. Be kind and patient with yourself and when you are ready try the little things, see what works for you and bubs and what makes you feel good.
Know that the little things can go a long way and what you are doing is amazing! Know that this is a precious time for you and baby and there is no need to put pressure on yourself until you are ready.
Thank you for reading! I’ll be posting some more recipes, mini-workouts and tips. It will be fun, messy and hopefully helpful!
SaeYond Health 