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<\/a><\/p>\nPrioritize sleep.<\/strong> Sleep, probably even more than food, is a non-negotiable for me. Though I’m sometimes tempted to stay up a little later, whether to get things done or to just veg out with a TV show, I know I’ll regret it in the morning. 7-8 hours does me right. If my nighttime sleep isn’t as smooth sailing as I’d like, let’s say hypothetically from a cute little baby who has a tough time with teeth, then I will sneak in a 20 minute power nap in the afternoon or force myself into an earlier bedtime the next night. When Kailtyn was a newborn, I’d sometimes go to bed at 8:00. No shame in my game. I’ve seen what my emotions do on too little sleep and it ain’t pretty!<\/p>\n Eat well but not perfectly.<\/strong> Perfection is a concept I thankfully let go of a long time ago. However, I know that food does affect my mood. Loading up with fresh veggies, lean meats and healthy fats, prepping food at the beginning of the week and sitting down at the table to eat it with real utensils is ideal, but I don’t always have time. I just focus on doing the best I can. Yes, I like to post pretty food pictures on instagram<\/a>, but that’s because no one cares to see the leftover pizza I housed at breakfast or the spoonful of peanut butter I ate from the jar while chasing a squirmy 9 month old up the stairs.<\/p>\n Keep moving.<\/strong> At this stage of life, having a strict exercise schedule just doesn’t work for me. However, I do feel so much better when I exercise, so I’m scheduling in 2-3 real sweat sessions a week (loving Burn Bootcamp<\/a>, even if I am having trouble walking today… I’m looking at you squats!<\/em>) and considering anything more than that a sweet bonus. Outside of intentional exercise, I try to stay on my feet as much a possible- cooking, running up and down stairs, going on nature walks, an occasional youtube yoga video, trying to change Kaitlyn’s diapers (it’s like a full on wrestling match every time). Luckily the girls help with keeping me moving on the regular and I actually weigh about 5 pounds less right now than I did on my wedding day. I feel stronger too. I never would have thought it!<\/p>\n Fill in the nutritional gaps.<\/strong> My energy stores are constantly being depleted. I obviously focus on eating high quality food, but I also depend of a high quality vitamin to pick up the slack. I take my Vitalizer<\/a> every day (as does David) and consider it my nutritional insurance plan. It helps keep my energy high and my immunity strong because let’s be honest, no one has time to be sick. Knock on wood, but I can’t tell you the last time I was sick. I’m such a firm believer that a quality multivitamin goes a long way.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n