The premise of this post is to share 10 tips for starting your week off on the right foot! However, before I dive into this I wanted to say a few things about my pregnancy and why this post is important to me.

*Note: I am forever forever forever grateful that I get to have babies. FOREVER GRATEFUL. I know there are women out there who would give up anything to be pregnant and just know that I wish the exact same thing. We all deserve to be mama’s because it is the most amazing gift. 

The second time around is not as much fun. When I was pregnant with Charlie I wanted to rock it. I loved my growing belly and all of the changes happening to my body. I let myself indulge a little in those 9 months and I really felt that pregnancy glow. This time…not so much. After working so hard to get back in shape before baby #2, watching your body change is a struggle! Not to mention you show so much earlier with your second. When I was pregnant with Charlie my clothes fit until about 24 weeks and this time I was showing at 12 weeks. I don’t FEEL pregnant but my body is telling me otherwise. My hips hurt (a lot) and chasing a toddler feels like running a marathon every day. 

I’m complaining for a reason. These changes are a reminder of how good you feel when you feel good. It’s reminded me the importance of having a healthy pregnancy both physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s made me realize how important it is to slow down and that it’s okay to give yourself a break. About a month ago I was feeling guilty that I hadn’t felt a connection to this baby like I did with Charlie. My focus is spent more on the time I have left with my only child (of the moment) and worry about what is ahead. When we accidentally found out the sex at our 20 week ultrasound (if you missed it on instagram, we are having another boy!) I was actually kind of relieved. It helped me take a step back and picture our new future that is just 4 short months away. It reminded me to enjoy this time and take care of myself. 

So onto 10 healthy tips for starting your week off on the right foot! This isn’t specific to eating healthy and working out. This is general to having a happy, healthy and clear mindset for the week ahead.

1. Make your to-do list the night before. I used to be a big to-do list writer with my morning coffee. However, after having a child my night’s are reserved for working and it is sometimes hard to turn everything “off” once I get into bed. My mind tends to think about everything there is to do or maybe something I forgot. Now I like to make my to-do list for the following day the night before so I can put my mind at ease and feel somewhat organized before I go to sleep. It feels good to come downstairs, pour myself a cup of coffee and check a few things off the list before Charlie wakes up. 
2. Set realistic exercise goals. I swear at the end of the week one of my biggest disappointments in myself is that I didn’t get in as many workouts as I should have. It’s dumb! I sometimes blame social media – I’m sure everyone can relate to seeing someone on the treadmill while you’re on your couch watching TV. Exercise the one thing that I like to set realistic goals for, otherwise I’m disappointed. My trainer always told me to workout more days than you don’t. That means exercise 4 out of 7 days. It’s a totally realistic goal! When I would drink this was also my wine goal for the week, ha. I would not drink 4 out of 7 days of the week, 3 days a week I had all of the wine. Same as eating out. Cook at home 4 out of 7 days of the week! #goals
3. Go grocery shopping on Sunday. I don’t know why but this seriously helps set me up for success for the week. On Sundays we all feel a bit haggard from the weekend after too much indulging. I like to scroll through my Pinterest and favorite food blogs to plan my recipes for the week. Then I go shopping because I’m usually in the “healthy” mindset on Sundays and my grocery haul shows it. 
4. Plan 4 of your dinners at home. Dave and I have a rule that we have to eat 4 dinners at home during the week. Our other 3 are dedicated to eating out or ordering food. Basically another realistic goal but it helps me look forward to cooking meals as much as I look forward to not. 
5. Drink plenty of water. Duh, right? But seriously, you skin will thank you, your metabolism will thank you and your head will thank you because you’ll be sleeping like a baby. I try to drink as many ounces of water in a day that I weigh in pounds. So since I weigh 132 pounds I try to drink 132 ounces which is about 4 of these and you’ll want one of these.
6. Give yourself a bed time. I am basically a grandma and I’m proud of it. I have always been a sleeper and although sometimes my work takes a backseat, sleep is essential for my wellbeing. When I don’t get enough sleep it catches up with me fast. I am a better mother, better wife and better business woman with more sleep. As long as my to-do list has been prioritized for the day I never go to bed feeling like one more email has to be sent or I have to get that post live at 2am (unless I really do!). Setting a bed time helps me know when it is time to shut off for the day. I am always in bed by 9:30pm and I wake up at 6am – but obviously whatever works for you!
7. Trade the phone for actual conversations. A big focus for me right now is putting down the phone! Especially at night when Dave and I are spending time together. I usually use this time to catch up on social media when I should be catching up with my husband. Some days are better than others but this is definitely a focus for me.
8. Do something productive right when you wake up. One of my favorites! Something as mindless as throwing in a load of laundry or making the bed. It starts my day off on the right foot and honestly helps put me in a more productive mindset for the day.
9. Go for a walk. This is how I press the reset button. I leave my phone on the kitchen counter and I take Webster and Charlie around the block. A little bit of fresh air and stepping away from the stress helps me look at whatever it is in a different light. 
10. Do something for yourself. Honestly, for me this means getting in bed 15 minutes before Dave and listening to my mediation app with essential oils diffusing in our room. One of my biggest struggles as a mom is never feeling like I have enough time to get everything done. If I am not thinking about Charlie, I am thinking about work. If I’m not thinking about work, I’m thinking about what room in the house needs to be cleaned. If I’m not thinking about some chore that has to be done, I’m stressed about our calendar. It feels like my brain is going, going, going and there is no shut off. This nighttime routine feels like a break and is a small indulgence that makes a big difference in my mentality. We all deserve to give ourselves a break, whatever that may be.

Simple things that make a big difference in my mental stability – ha! Now I wanted to share a quick smoothie recipe that I’ve been using for my smoothie bowls. 

Ingredients:

• 1 handful of frozen berries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 spoonful of almond butter
• 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• 1 spoonful of Green Superfood 
• dash of cinnamon

Blend well and enjoy as a smoothie or pour into a bowl and top with granola, almond butter, your favorite fruit, dried coconut, honey, etc. You can also add protein powder or whatever you’d like. Smoothie bowls are fun to experiment with!

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