Over a two-year period, I began a journey to lose about 80 pounds. I haven’t met my goal, and I’ve had some setbacks, but I have lost about 50 pounds total. I’ve done most of it with Weight Watchers and a membership to a locally owned gym.

As I said, I’ve not hit my goal and I’ve had some setbacks, but this time around, I haven’t given up.

What I’ve learned along the way is that it doesn’t matter if you are on a program like Weight Watchers or even if you don’t have a gym membership. You can achieve your goals by eating balanced meals and snacks and just moving any way you can.

Weight Watchers has been a big help to me because it taught me what eating right meant for me. Exactly what kinds of foods I needed to eat to feel full, be healthy and burn fat more easily. What’s more, it taught me exactly how much or how little to eat.

Eat too little, and your body goes into starvation mode and your metabolism drops. Eat too much, and you can’t burn the calories.

It also got me in the habit of paying attention to what I buy at the grocery store, how I cook and makes me keep track of what I eat and what it will cost me in the end. This program didn’t put me on a pre-packaged diet. It has changed my habits for the better.

As for the exercise, I was at my best with the gym membership and occasional advice from a personal trainer, but a changed schedule, ankle fracture and other physical issues has made exercise much more challenging.

There are so many options out there that there really aren’t any excuses, no matter what I tell myself. From Xbox 360 Zumba discs to walking classes, tae kwon do classes and regular gym routines, you have to find something you enjoy and make time for it.

We as parents, and moms especially, tend to put everyone before ourselves, losing sight of the fact that if we aren’t healthy and active, the rest of the family can’t be because they are learning from our example.

So get out there, set some goals, check out a Stroller Strides class, Find a gym with a child care center, join a water aerobics class, or schedule time for a walk with your significant other. Make better meal choices. It’s doable and it’s important.

You want to be around and looking your best for all those special moments coming up in the lives of your family.

ParentClick Resources: Fitness, nutrition and Wellness