In the midst of cleaning the house, cooking dinner, and helping with homework, exercising and healthy eating can fall off the priority list for many moms. With summer right around the corner, it’s a good time to take a step back and look at how to fit a healthier lifestyle into the daily routine.

• Make it a family effort - Sit down with your family and explain the importance of eating right and exercising. Let them know it is important to you, and you need their support.
• Spend time together - Schedule bike rides, hikes and other activities with the family that will reinforce the importance of exercise and get everyone together enjoying the summer weather.
• Follow a schedule - Look at your day and see what time you can get your workout in. After you decide on a schedule, stick to it. No excuses.
• Cook dinner as a family - During the summer when kids are being rushed between activities, it’s often easier to pull through a drive through instead of making dinner. On Sunday nights, plan out the meals for the week and shop for the ingredients ahead of time. With these steps taken care of, cooking dinner will be a faster and healthier alternative to take out.
• Make small changes - Look at your family’s eating habits and see what small changes you can make. If the kids love eggs in the morning, try using egg whites instead of whole eggs and add some veggies. Switch from two percent milk to skim and serve your kids juice instead of soda.

Changing the daily routine and habits of a family can be tough, but it’s an important change that will pay off. Stay motivated and enjoy the results!