Mother of Six
Christine Bezzant is the proud mother of six (that’s right 6!!) beautiful kids. While balancing her roles as mom and wife, she exercises, practices proper nutrition, stays energized and embodies her role as a health coach. Christine launched a new blog last month FitMamaOf6, where she offers motivational training tips that can be done at home in 5, 10 or 20-minute segments, and nutrition ideas that have worked for her and her clients.
Christine acknowledges that being a mom can be overwhelming, and all to often personal health and well-beiing can be put on the back-burner. “That raises the question: can we stay fit, feed our bodies, and have the energy for the job of being a mom? I think the answer is YES!” Christine’s mission is to inspire moms to “go on this journey of healthy living combined with the joy of taking care of our families.”
What gets you out of bed every morning?
My kids will always be my motivation to get out of bed every morning. They are my pride and joy and my role as a mother is the most important role to me. But I will admit, the anticipation of my workout gets me excited to start my day, because I know how I feel after. I am so motivated every morning to get to my workout. This has been a big focus for me the past couple of decades.
Please describe your “O”. What is the most important part of your daily routine?
My average day looks like this:
- 7-730AM – Wake up, eat a solid breakfast that will give me energy for my workout.
- 730-830AM – Get my kids ready and off to school.
- 830-10AM – Workout time! I usually work out in my home, or on days when I want to use more equipment I head to the gym.
- 10-11AM – I have my second meal of the day after the gym. My favorite is my protein shake.
- 11-130PM – This is my time without kids to get things done. Grocery shopping, answering emails, running errands are all daily activities.
- 130-2PM – I eat my third meal, which I consider my lunch.
- 2-3PM – This is my personal time. On days when I am busy and have to wake up earlier than normal, I will take a quick nap. Or meditate, read scriptures or write in my journal.
- 330-530PM – Around this time my kids are coming home from school. All the after-school activities take place – kids’ track meets, piano lessons, homework help, and preparing dinner.
- 6-630PM – My whole family sits together at the table to eat dinner and talk about our days, what we learned, and what we are doing for the rest of the week.
- 630-7PM – Clean up time. I clean up (and employ my kids’ help) to clean the messes from dinner.
- 7-8PM – Quiet time. This is my time to “shut down the house” as I like to call it. I start turning off lights, cleaning up last minute messes, and talking with my husband about his day at work.
- 8-9PM – Time for bed! My husband and I put our kids to bed, read to them, and help them prepare for school the next day.
- 9-10PM – Personal time with my husband. I cherish this time where we get to talk, do some light reading, and wind down for the night. We always end the night by praying together.
The most important part of my daily routine is my morning hours because this is where I get the most accomplished – children to school, working out, and taking care of my spiritual and wellness needs. In the morning I also get more personal time, which helps me to be happier and more aware of those around me. It’s easier for me to focus on others needs when my personal needs are met.
What about your “O” do you think is unique or special? Please discuss.
Throughout my day, I make sure that I eat six meals to keep my energy levels up. Being a full-time mother to six kids can be exhausting and I’ve learned over the years that if I eat less than 6 meals a day, I don’t have the energy I need to sustain my lifestyle. It’s so important to me so I can be more involved with my children.
Whose “O” would you most love to see?
I would love to see my great, great Grandma Annie Peterson’s “O.” She was a strong woman who not only raised her own children, but then raised her daughter’s five children. She was a single parent throughout the years of raising all of these kids and had a small sewing business to support her big family. She had many responsibilities as a single mother and also had a great attitude. When days get tough, I remember her and consider that maybe my life isn’t so tough after all. Although I never met her, I really hope to carry on her legacy through raising my children.
What is your #1 wellness habit?
My number one wellness habit would be my healthy eating habits. I am a firm believer that if you are eating healthy, you will see results no matter what. There’s the saying that abs are made in the kitchen, and I’m a firm believer in that! I make sure that I eat multiple servings of vegetables and fruit every day and I drink at least half my body weight in ounces. I also eat every 2.5-3 hours to keep my energy levels up and never forget to take my vitamins.
What is the best piece of health advice you’ve ever received?
The best wellness advice that has always stuck with me is to have moderation in all things. This can pertain to any aspect in your life. When I become too extreme in one thing or the other, I find that I get off balance, which turns out to be very unhealthy. When I am consistent in moderation of eating and working out, my body functions so much more smoothly.
What is your favorite part about living a healthy lifestyle?
Being a healthy example will rub off on those closest to you. My husband and children watch me every day and my example has rubbed off on them. My three oldest children will now meet up at the gym and workout together. They watch what I eat and love the healthy foods I fix for them. Be the example, and know you are being watched.
Describe your sleep ritual. What time do you go to bed? Do you do anything special to prepare?
Bedtime rituals are my favorite because lights get turned down or shut off, house gets quiet. Cell phones for all are put away and plugged in for the night. My most favorite ritual would be putting on my bathrobe, it means it’s that time for bed. Bedtime for me is around 10 pm. I need at least 8 to 8 1/2 hours to feel completely well rested and ready for the next day. I am all about the schedule.
Tell us about a time you were stuck in an unhealthy cycle and how you got out of it. What was the main inspiration for positive change?
An unhealthy cycle I feel that I got in to was to pull certain food groups out of my diet. I pulled carbohydrates completely out and felt that they were “bad” for me. I was drained of my energy and had thought I would gain weight if I ate carbohydrates. My main inspiration was to get my energy levels back up and my hormones in harmony again. I now eat a very well balanced protein, carbohydrate, fat diet and have energy to last me through my days and fuel my workouts.
If you could give one piece of health advice to your kid(s), future kid(s) or relative(s), what would it be and why?
First and foremost, take care of you first. Get the sleep and nourishment you need to fuel your body to be able to give 100%. Stick to the basics – everything in moderation, eat healthy, and workout. When these are all done correctly, you will see results. Guaranteed.
Favorite Vegetable:
Spinach or Kale in every meal, and when I say every meal, I mean it! I am known to sneak kale into any type of dinner I make for my family. My kids are finally starting to come around to it. I load my protein shakes with handfuls of spinach and kale. I notice positive affects from this – improved hair, skin, and nails, more energy throughout my day, and improved health. I seriously cannot live without it!
Favorite Exercise:
Squats used to be something I absolutely dreaded. I had a serious knee injury back in 2007 that completely ended my running career. I knew coming back from it was going to be tough, but I kept at it and really focused on squatting. It has become my favorite exercise. Although I can’t get as low as I’d like due to the injury, I feel like I have really built my way up.
Favorite Way to Center:
I read scriptures and pray religiously. This always centers me and helps me realize the bigger picture in life. I also love my baths. I could sit in a bath for hours on end! Reading and journaling are also two things that really help me to remember small but significant moments in mine and the kids’ lives.
Personal Motto:
Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.
Christine Bezzant is a Mother, Writer and Health Coach. For more inspiration from Christine, check out her blog at FitMamaOf6 and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.