Great Job Mom, Summer was a Success! 4 (Healthy) Ways to Reward Yourself that Don’t Cost a Fortune

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the summer finish line. The kiddos are headed back to school. Job well done!

I have to admit, I’m sad. My kids are at such an awesome age (8 is great, as it turns out), and I don’t really want the summer to ever end. I get teary thinking about it. For a split second, I considered homeschooling. (It was a split second, I quickly came to my senses and remembered where my strengths are not.)

Someday I might have a countdown-to-school calendar going, but not this year.

That said, I have been ‘on’ all day every day without many breathers. I could use a little reward.

Whether your countdown calendar has been checked daily, or you’re feeling that tinge of sadness, now’s the time to reward yourself! It’s time to focus on you. What brings you energy, brings you joy, and brings you closer to your health goals? New shoes aside, those are the best kinds of rewards.

Because, mama, you’re going to need all the energy you’ve got to make it through the craziness of the school year with a smile.

Here are 4 healthy ways to reward yourself and give you the boost you need to ENJOY the upcoming madness:

1. Try a new, healthy snack recipe that is just as delicious as your favorite desserts, but without the guilt. Make my Lemon Bar Bites, and then hide them. They are yours. Enjoy a moment of deliciousness before the kids get home in the afternoon. Believe me, if you let your kids try them, they’ll be gone!
2. Make a standing date with a great girlfriend. If you haven’t had time to catch up with your best friend, now’s the time. Set up a weekly or monthly date for a walk, run or yoga class, and make fitness more fun while getting that connection you crave. BTW, I’m texting my best friend NOW. I need this!
3. Wake up to dessert for breakfast. Healthy smoothies are the go-to breakfast that carry you through the morning and taste better than you can imagine. My current favorite: Chocolate Peppermint. Put 1 ½ cups almond milk, 1 handful spinach, 1 frozen banana, 1 tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder, and 1 handful mint in a blender and blend until smooth. The inevitable morning whining and lost homework can’t get me down when I’m drinking the equivalent of a peppermint patty.
4. Get connected with like-minded moms. For instance, I run a free Facebook Group called Baby Weight Revolution. We are a community of moms committed to a healthy way of life (and dropping the last 10 pounds). Sharing the ups and downs of this lifestage with other mamas who get it is essential, right?! Give yourself permission to get on social media for true connections and invaluable info that helps you reach your goals. Social media is not just entertainment, make it work for you!

Who said rewards have to involve expensive clothes, decadent massages, or junk foods that drain your energy? Honor yourself with healthy rewards that won’t cost you a fortune and you’ll feel better than your pre-baby self.

Angie Jones is a mom to amazing 8 year-old triplets, a Health Coach, and the creator of Baby Weight Revolution. When she’s not driving kids around and hanging out in skating rinks, she’s squeezing in the gym, solo trips to Lakewinds, and time to write. Her family calls Eden Prairie home.