So how does a mom of three with no history of regular physical fitness routines make it work? There are several key factors to my success, and without each of them I doubt I’d be very successful.

First, my husband and I are both committed to eating healthy, working out, and sticking to a routine. Without his support and a consistent 5:30am workout, it would be very difficult. I know how easy it is for things to pop-up that threaten a consistent routine, so the 5:30am workouts help considerably as most friends and family don’t vie for this time slot.

We also selected a 60 day time frame to get started that had very few commitments or events on the calendar. Since healthy eating and a strict diet don’t lend well to eating out, family gatherings, and social events, it was important for us to find a time when we’d be able to eat at home for almost every meal. There have been a few concessions on our part, but eating at home has really helped limit the temptations and prevent any set backs.

Weekly grocery shopping has become more of a process that requires input from each family member. To avoid spontaneous purchases, we are shopping only once a week and sticking to a list. The list includes two or three times the number of fresh vegetables and fruits  we used to buy, and almost zero processed foods.

My husband and I eat five meals a day that are about 300 calories each. This works fine, but really limits some of the meals we can make. We try to select one of three ways to address evening meals; all eat the same thing, all eat some variation of the same thing, or make something separate for the kids. Since the kids are not thrilled with a constant barrage of salads and non-sauced meals, we did spend a weekend making some favorite meals and then freezing single portions. This way the kids can select from homemade items such as spaghetti, cheesy potatoes, chicken burritos, and corn chowder when they don’t want another meal of tuna or eggs.

One food we can have is chili made with lean ground chicken or turkey, so we make quite a bit of chili and everyone likes that. Fajitas with lean meat and tons of veggies is another favorite, as is baked cedar plank salmon. There is definitely more planning that goes into eating healthy, but there is a simplicity to it all.

Lastly, since we get up so early in the morning, snacking in the evening hasn’t been much of an issue. We’re in bed before any cravings set in, and with drinking all the required ounces of water and suggested cups of green tea, there isn’t much room left over for snacks.