While Health & Fitness can involve discussions of mental health, working with a licensed mental health practitioner is essential for fitness & wellness practitioners to stay in their scope of practice. 

Looking for online support? Here is a list of resources to explore! 

​1. Performance/"How I Feel" Goals- Reflect on how you want to feel and how you'd like your body to function. Remember that we are not "in control" of our bodies but we can create patterns of behavior that can improve strength, flexibility, & energy. Avoid weight or sized based goals because diets don't work and being smaller doesn't necessarily mean you're healthier or happier. Learn more here

2. Be Honest- Are you working 12 hours a day? Staying up at night with a teething toddler? Focusing on growing your business? In school? It's best to be HONEST with yourself about your schedule as you plan your workout routine. Over shooting ("I'll wake-up at 4am and exercise 6 days a week before my kids get up!") is a recipe for burnout & overwhelm. Start small, even if it's 5 minutes. It's much better to be realistic and get it done. From there you can build as you go! If you over do it you're more likely to get frustrated, injured and disappointed which leads to the all or nothing "I Quit!" mentality. 

3. Be Joyful- I recommend strength training because it can help improve how you feel, your mood and the function of your body. HOWEVER I know there are many preferences when it comes to movement. Movement should be things YOU ENJOY! Yes, you heard me...you should like what you are planning. This way you'll actually look forward to it. This can help build positive feelings which will lead to ongoing habits. Don't forget weight lifting isn't *just* bodybuilding style in a gym. You can do bodyweight moves, TRX, resistance bands, dumbbells at home...If you're not there yet try a dance party with your favorite playlist, stretch, or take a walk outside.

Weight Watchers aka "WW" made headlines for their acquisition of Kurbo Health a weight-loss app for children. The truth is that intentional weight loss is ineffective for over 90% of dieters, and the earlier that kids start to diet the more likely they are to develop disordered eating behaviors. 

I'm anti-diet for kids & adults so here are my 3 tips for what to do instead of putting your child on a diet.

(See my first pregnancy post here)
 
I am almost in my third trimester- where has time gone?
My goal is to update weekly from here on out, I want to document this special time and I hope that my reflections are helpful to you as well!