Overcoming Dieting Obstacles

For Women

Casey L. Holley
Almost every woman I know leads a busy life, especially if she is a wife and/or mother. This busy lifestyle leads to problems when trying to lose weight and look her best. As I look at my life to see where my post-pregnancy weight loss program needs improvement, I have come to the realization that there isn't just one obstacle, there are many.

Lack of Time to Cook

With a newborn and two toddlers in my house (plus a husband and pets), my time for cooking healthy meals is very limited. To combat this problem, I have started marinating meat in the freezer so when it is time to cook, all I have to do is grab the meat, defrost it and start cooking. I buy precut fruits and vegetables so I don't have to chop them up at home. I also plan two afternoons each week to spend time with my boys baking. My two- and three-year old boys love to help me make muffins and other baked goods.

Weight Fluctuations

It is common for a woman's weight to fluctuate from day to day. This fluctuation can be very disheartening for a woman who is trying to lose weight. Because I don't want to be discouraged, I only weigh myself once per month as soon I use the bathroom when I wake up in the morning. The day I weight myself is the day after my period ends. Why? Because weight gain is a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The day after my period ends, I no longer feel bloated and fat. When I weigh myself, I wear the same thing-nothing since clothing adds extra weight.

PMS Cravings

When I am suffering from PMS, I usually crave chocolate and salty foods. Both of these can add a considerable amount of weight if I don't control the cravings. For the chocolate craving, I usually have low fat chocolate pudding or chocolate milk. When I want something salty, I grab a handful of cashews that have been sprinkled with sea salt. I limit myself to one 'craving' food per day.

Skipping Meals

When I skip meals, I don't have any energy and I usually start to get a headache. But how does a busy mom find time to eat? The answer is to eat when the children eat. My sons eat breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner and a before bed snack. I can turn those five opportunities into a chance to grab five small healthy meals for myself.

Conclusion

Being a busy mom isn't any reason to forego healthy eating and trying to lose weight. With some advanced planning and careful grocery store purchases, it is possible to find time to lose weight.

Sources:

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/menstrual/141.html

Published by Casey L. Holley

Casey Holley is a freelance writer specializing in Christian content and medical content. She has more than a decade of experience. She also enjoys writing about animals, beauty, fitness, weight loss, travel...  View profile

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