I do not usually make New Year’s resolutions. 2012, however, is going to be the year that I make healthier choices. I am going to try to eat better. I am also going to get more physically active!
I have been using my status as “a new mom’’ as an excuse for not eating well or exercising. Sleepless nights, new schedules and work…these are things that affect diet and exercise. 1 The thing is, I am not “a new mom’’ anymore. My boys are 5 and 3 years old. It is time to accept that the extra weight I am carrying has less to do with pregnancy and breast feeding, and more to do with my over-indulgence of rice pudding (see bleow) . Instead of using my children as an excuse for being over-weight, they are now my motivation to be healthy! As a physically active mother, I can teach by example. The benefit will be children who are more physically active and healthy.2 The Physical Activity Guidelines recommends adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week.3 Like most moms, it often feels impossible to carve-out ‘’me-time’’. By the time my two boys are in bed, I am exhausted. It is a real challenge to incorporate physical activity into my lifestyle.
As my kids get older, they are becoming more active. So, I have decided to take advantage of this and join them! Skating in our backyard rink is a really fun after-school activity! I will also be making use of our family membership at Funtopia. Chasing my 3 year-old through their super-fun course and obstacles is definitely a workout! On Saturdays, my oldest son is taking ski lessons at Ski St-Bruno. I am really looking forward to spending the rest of the day hitting the slopes (okay…the bunny hill) together! On Sundays, we have parent/child swim lessons at Complexe-Sportif-du-CEGEP-Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Participating in these fun activities with my kids is a great way to incorporate physical activity into my everyday living.
I am committed to make 2012 the year that I reclaim a healthy lifestyle! What I am most excited about though is finding even more ways to enjoy time with my wonderful boys!
I love finding activities not only for my kids but also activities we can enjoy together!

Other online resources that promote a healthy lifestyle:
Baby Fit
Canadian Advancement for Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS)
Canada’s Food Guide
Health Canada
Health Canada’s The Eat Well and Be Active Educational Toolkit:
The Physical Activity Guidelines:
LIVESTRONG:

Endnotes:
1. Babyfit: Are Your Kids Making You Fat? Pregnancy News Flash — By Nicole Nichols, Personal Trainer & Health Educator http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=526
2. CAAWS: Mothers In Motion http://www.caaws.ca/mothersinmotion/e/index.cfm
3. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP): http://www.csep.ca

Just Saying Janet’s Delectable Rice Pudding
Ingredients:
½ cup rice
3 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
¼ raisins (optional)
Directions:
1. In a pot, add rice, milk and vanilla together.
2. Cook on low-medium heat until rice is cooked, approximately 30 minutes. Add more milk if needed.
3. While rice is cooking, separate eggs in 2 separate bowls.
4. Wisk egg whites to soft peaks.
5. Mix sugar to egg yolks
6. Add ¼ cup of rice mixture to egg yolks/sugar mixture (tempering)
7. Add tempered egg yolk mixture back into pot, and mix with the rice mixture.
8. Cook until rice mixture thickens and bubbles.
9. Add cinnamon
10. Take-off heat and fold in egg whites.

Bon Appétit!