This is totally me! I can never get to the gym and I eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese for dinner all the time. My muscles are sore from dancing at a wedding this weekend. It's ridiculous! It's no wonder I am gaining weight in all the wrong places! I just keep thinking if I can make it past this next year, the baby will be able to go to a nursery at a local gym without screaming-hopefully! It is too stressful right now to race to the gym and wonder if my child is screaming his head off. I cannot stand that. I try to work out at home instead, but I usually end up being too lazy. What are you tips?
FROM NBC: A new study indicates having a child could be detrimental to your health! Between the soothing and the playing, making sure they eat the right things and not the wrong things parenthood can be exhausting.
And according to a new study -- taking care of young children can wreak havoc on your health -- especially if you're a mom. Dr. Jerica Berge/University of Minnesota: "They were drinking more sugar sweetened drinks, they had higher fat intake and overall calories."
Dr. Jerica Berge of the University of Minnesota analyzed the dietary and exercise habits of young parents with kids under age 5. Mothers in particular had higher body mass indexes than women without children and didn't get as much exercise. Their diets suffered as well.
Quick-fix meals coveted by so many busy moms might be part of the problem.
Dr. Jerica Berge, Ph.D./University of Minnesota: "Because of time demands, they might be turning to the chicken nuggets or the macaroni and cheese because it's quicker." Parents in the study did eat a healthy amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains because they said they wanted to model good eating habits for their children.
"Let's go, ladies!" Researchers say those good intentions can be applied to exercise, too.
Dr. Jerica Berge/University of Minnesota: "Parents might be able to incorporate physical activity in their day with their kids rather than thinking they have to do that on their own. Go out and kick the ball together or walk to the park together and play together."
They're healthy habits that can benefit both children -- and their parents. Researchers say pediatricians may want to address these issues with parents when they bring their young children in for check-ups.