DIET AND NUTRITION
Busy mom realizes need for self-care By Susan Lynn
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s a licensed dietitian and nutritionist, Katrina Springer knows what a proper diet should include. Sticking to it, however, has become more of a challenge and for the first time in her life, Springer is realizing that the more she’s pulled in different directions, the less she’s able to focus on a healthy lifestyle. Katrina, age 39, says she is the heaviest she has ever been, and it’s clearly not sitting well with her. Mind you, Katrina is the very image of fitness. But as we all know, it’s the image we carry of ourselves that dictates our response. And for Katrina, she equates those few extra pounds with a loss of energy — and that’s not her. Her first instinct is to place the blame on “baby No. 4.” To be fair, it’s not adorable Finian’s fault, but the circumstances that come with managing four young children, including being responsible for their education. Katrina’s biggest hurdle is getting enough sleep. Typically, it’s only after everyone else has gone to bed that she has any time for herself. Most nights that includes preparing lesson plans for the next day and some “screen time.” The hours fly by, and Katrina usually finds herself going to bed way too late. “I know that being sleep-deprived is a big part of my problem,” she said. “When you don’t get enough sleep, it changes your hormone levels so that you are more likely to gain weight and snack. I’m also a stress eater,” she said. “Sometimes when I have a moment to 10 HEALTHY LIVING • 2021
myself, I’ll say, “I’ll just have this little tasty treat,’ even though I’m not hungry. As mothers, we feel like we need to be everything to everybody. I homeschool my kids, get them to their different activities, keep the house in some semblance of order and cook their meals. I know I haven’t been taking care of myself like I should.” Most young parents can identify with Katrina’s situation. The surprise is that it takes a physical toll. “I was always in high school and college sports,” she said, a lifestyle she’s more or less continued. The idea that she would have to be purposeful in keeping her weight under control never crossed her mind. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped. “We all got shut down and that inertia is hard to overcome,” she said. “Making the initial effort is difficult.” Katrina said the extra pounds “creep up on you. So, when you make the decision to go on a diet or start a new exercise routine it’s easy to get discouraged when the weight doesn’t fall off immediately. For myself, I realize this has been going on for a full year. It could theoretically take just as long to get back to my original weight.” But it can be done. “For me, a support system is crucial.” Katrina sets aside each evening to walk with her sister, Lisse Regehr. “We don’t go far, maybe a mile. But it’s a chance to catch up, let off some steam if we need to.” She also frequently rides her bike when doing errands.
