Lifestyle transformation: featuring (our very own!) Andrea O’Connor
After having four kids, it became increasingly difficult to take care of myself. As a stay at home mom, I didn’t eat healthy, didn’t have the time to exercise, and wasn’t sleeping very much.
My days were spent waking up after 5 or so hours of restless sleep, feeding the kids breakfast (my breakfast was nonexistent!), getting dressed and running out the door. Also, I don’t drink coffee or tea, so my go to pick-me-up was soda. After dropping a couple kids off at school, I still have two kids at home to take care for. Between shopping, cleaning, catching up with laundry, and making lunches for the kids, mommy’s lunch typically consisted of a handful of cookies or chips and more soda to hold me over until dinner. After picking the kids up at school, the rest of the night consisted of homework, activities, dinner, baths, bedtime and next thing you know I’m just sitting down for dinner at 9pm, I know, not exactly healthy!
Once my youngest, Brady, went to school, my husband and I decided now is an ideal time for me to go back to work. I was immediately hired with Khalsa Chiropractic and Balans. I couldn’t have been more ecstatic to be around adults and have adult conversations! I quickly learned the dynamic of Balans and was intrigued. Slowly but surely, I came to the realization that I needed to get healthy for my kids, but most importantly for myself.
One day I spoke to Marie about how I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle- she encouraged me to meet with Maura, our nutrition and health consultant. Maura and I sat down together and created a game plan for me to feel more energized and satisfied with my health. We agreed my first step would be to cut out soda! The next few steps were to eat more fruit, nuts, have a healthier (and convenient!) breakfast planned, eat a higher quality lunch, and eat dinner at a reasonable hour.
I am proud to say that I haven’t had soda in 4 weeks, I’ve been eating breakfast and lunch almost daily, I’ve become more aware of exercising (using the stairs instead of the elevator, walking home from the train station instead of taking the bus, etc.) I have tried eating foods I normally wouldn’t have, and am drinking lemon water throughout the day. I’m realizing that these ‘little things’ are really adding up.
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a private, reserved person and I don’t like the spotlight on myself. However after weighing myself today, I think Maura and I deserve a pat on the back. Maura has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new foods and habits. I know you’re all wondering, so here it is: I lost 7 lbs in 4 weeks! Some people might say, that’s it? I can say I’m proud of myself for sticking with it, and doing it in a healthy way!
