Healthy Momma, Happy Momma

 Healthy Momma, Happy Momma

by Nahyr Galaz Ruiz

As women we constantly juggle an endless list of roles; mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, professional, community member…the list goes on.  Our various roles demand our last shred of energy and sometimes sanity; this is why self-care is so important.  And yet, self-care is what we tend to neglect the most.  There’s a reason why the flight attendant instructs you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first then your child; because you can’t take care of anyone else until you take care of yourself. 

And yet so often we put the oxygen mask on everyone else before ourselves; sometimes not even putting it on at all. 

This past week I received a not so gentle reminder of why it’s important to prioritize self-care.  Trust me; I KNOW the struggle.  You’re talking to the queen of “stuffing my face with cookies and chocolate while locked in my bathroom,” and the “2 minutes after my kids are in bed you can find me sneaking ice cream on the couch straight from the tub.” I’m also the master of “its 9pm and I’ve had a handful of goldfish, coffee, and a mint all day.”  I realized though; that I can’t be my best self for my sweet, beautiful girls if I’m not taking care of myself.  So this week I joined Beachbody and have begun drinking their shakes, working out daily, and have been working on eating healthier.

Let’s be real for a sec; it’s hard.  But in the long term it is completely worth it.  Last night I had to squeeze in my workout at 9:30pm and shake at 10pm.  This morning I did my workout as soon as I returned from dropping off my eldest at preschool; I had to pause a couple times because my 19 month old was gleefully weaving between my limbs (planking with a toddler commando crawling under you is a CHALLENGE!); but I got it done- Nevermind that my 19 month old transferred our dog’s dry food from her bowl to her water bowl to make puppy cereal while I was finishing my workout…Never mind that.  So I get it, it’s hard to find spaces to take care of yourself.  But If that wakeup call from my hubby’s doctor visit taught me anything is that you just have to; there are tiny humans relying on you for everything; Love, Energy, Support, Learning, Comfort, Food, Health- EVERYTHING.  Let’s be our best selves so we can provide it!

And let’s support each other through it! I’m actively looking for healthy fish, chicken, and salad recipes to add to my lunch and dinner planning for my family! Feel free to comment with your yummiest and healthiest recipes! I’ll be your village; share if you’ve started a journey to health or if you’ve been on one for a while already! I’d love to hear from you fierce mommas!