WANT EVEN MORE HEALTHY IDEAS FROM SHAPE YOUR FUTURE?
A new year is a great time to set healthy new goals. Yet all too often, our resolutions are big. When we can’t stick to them, we feel defeated and give up. To avoid this pitfall, keep your goals small and realistic. Want inspiration? Here’s what six busy parents are striving for in 2022!
Najah, Oklahoma City
“I am a single mom to a 4-year-old daughter, and I don’t have siblings or parents to help with babysitting. I’m also a high school teacher and graduate student, so my budget and schedule are both tight. I used to cope with the stress and difficult emotions by overeating, but I’ve really gotten this habit under control in the past year. My realistic goal for 2022 is to form consistent bedtime routines. I have known for months that my daughter and I need more sleep, so now is a great time to start.”
Sarah, Collinsville
“My husband has worked in pro baseball since 2007, so we’re always on the go. Making healthy choices is tough, but one thing we do well is setting healthy boundaries. We let our kids have sweets and use technology, but we teach them how to moderate. We also love being active outside! Our daughter Lucy ran her first 5K this year. She got so excited about it that our first goal is to run a race as a family in 2022. Our second goal is to drink half our weight in ounces of water. We’ll post our goals where we can see them and involve our kids. They don’t let us get away with much!”
Danny, Oklahoma City
“Up until this past year, I was a single dad to three teenagers. When I was newly divorced and struggling with my mental health, drive-thru or pizza was all I could muster the energy for sometimes. Thanks to therapy and healthy coping skills, I improved my mental health. Then, I got remarried! My kids aren’t very hungry in the morning, so my wife makes them smoothies before school. We also cook healthy meals together as often as we can. Our realistic goal for 2022 is to eat dinner around the table as a family 4 – 5 nights a week — without electronics. That’s easier said than done with teens!”
Jennifer, Tulsa
“I’m a stay-at-home mom with 4-year-old twins. One healthy tradition we started last year is the “Morning Mile.” We walk, bike, scooter or run a mile before lunchtime. It breaks up our day, gets us outside and improves our attitudes! My personal goal for 2022 is to limit screen time before bed. Staying up late scrolling on my phone is tempting since it may be the only alone time I get that day, but it catches up with me. I’m too tired to exercise, my mood suffers and it hurts my overall health. I’m going to put my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb,’ charge it in the kitchen and spend my time reading something I enjoy. I’ll also get more sleep!”
Vanessa, Oklahoma City
“Over the past few years, I’ve focused on helping my 4-year-old daughter form a healthy, balanced relationship with food. Instead of forcing her to eat new veggies, I expose her to them. When I introduce a new one, I pair it with foods she already likes. I also teach her about nutrition! Instead of saying ‘Spinach is good for you,’ I get specific and say, ‘Green foods help your body fight off sickness!’ Since we’ve mastered the nutrition part, our goal for 2022 is to add more physical activity. My daughter is already active, but her stepdad and I struggle to incorporate movement into our busy daily routines.”
Trinni, Moore
“I’m a work-from-home mom to a 1-year-old and 5-year-old. I also suffer from depression. It began during my second pregnancy and worsened throughout the pandemic. When I make time for self-care, I’m kinder and more patient — and so are my kids. My 2022 goals are to meditate and do yoga every day, even if it’s only for 3, 5 or 10 minutes. I won’t push my limits or give myself any hard rules. I just want to listen to my body. As my mental health improves, I hope to involve my kids. To stay motivated on low days, I’ll write myself a letter right after a rejuvenating yoga or meditation session. I also made this playlist!”
Feeling inspired? Set yourself up for your healthiest year yet. Sign up for our email list to get free recipes, kids’ activities, workout ideas and more!