Featured Movin’ Mama: Sarah

Meet Sarah!

Sarah is a 27-year-old Movin’ Mama living in Virginia with her boyfriend and two children [boy, 6 & girl, 1 month old]. As an Office Admin (currently on Maternity Leave), it’s no surprise that she finds comfort in planning/organizing her days ahead of time to beat stress, and spends her time reading to unwind. We asked how she’s living well today and here’s what she said…

How do you typically start your day?

I start my day by getting whichever child woke me up first! On an average work day, I would normally wake up around 5:30 AM, take a shower and get dressed.

Even if it is just to put on clean yoga pants and a tank top now that I am on maternity leave, I need that time. It would be to easy to just let that go, but I know that once I go back to work, it will be more difficult to get back into my routine.

Now that I have an infant, I am doing practice runs because I feel like the more I prepare, the less stress going back to work will be for me. I am trying to see how much extra time I need to still be able to get out the door and to work on time, and I also think that if you start your day in a rush or frazzled way, it sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Can you share a couple of personal fitness goals for 2015 and how you’ll track your progress?

My goals for this year are to get back into shape, and become a healthier person in general. I don’t really keep track of my progress other than how much better I feel day-to-day. I do try to keep track of what I eat, and if I notice it is heavy on “ bad” foods, I try to load up on lots of fresh/raw foods to make up for it.

What is your diet like on an average day? Where would you like to improve?

Right now I try to eat a balanced meal, heavy on fresh, light, non-processed foods. I am trying to cut out all fast food, but McDonalds keeps calling to me!

How are some ways you’re achieving work/life balance as a career mom?

It is hard. I was very lucky when my son was younger, as I was able to stay home with him for the first 2.5 years. With my new baby girl, I have to go back to work in a few weeks and it is already killing me.

But, when I am home, I am home. I try to focus all my attention on my children and not worry about the office. When there is something that I need to do for work at home, I try to do it while they are sleeping or otherwise busy.

What do you wish you knew when you first became a mom that you know now?

I’ve learned that there is NO perfect way to do anything. You can plan all you want, or have 100 people give you advice, but something will always go wrong and you just have to roll with it. Trust me, even though it did not go according to plan, your child is happy!

Have you had to streamline your beauty routine since having a second baby? 

Not really, because I was never one to spend hours getting ready. But what I do now is, start getting ready, then put my son in the shower and have his clothes picked out while I finish getting myself together. It is harder with a newborn again, but I am finding ways to make it work.

What do you do when you want to have “Me” time?

Reading. I love to read, I’m a huge bookworm!

Who do you lean on most for support when it comes to Wellness, and why?

My sister Courtney is the person I talk to the most about what products are the best for my family. She started really caring about what she was eating and what products she was using a few years ago, so whenever I have a question, or need advice she is my go-to guru. She has really helped me with making choices on everything from food to body wash. I had no clue some of the products that I was using can be really harmful!

What is one piece of candid advice you’d like to share with other new moms regarding general Wellness?

Each day, take a moment and do something just for you. Even if it is eating a candy bar locked in the bathroom, you really need those few precious moments to yourself to just to breath and de-compress. Trust me, it helps!