Articles

Diet and Exercise

06/01/2017

Being a carer sometimes means that you spend so much time taking care of your client that you forget about taking care of yourself. It is really important that you keep yourself in good health at all times so you can do your best at the job. Unfortunately not every placement will allow you as much time off as you would like, but despite this, there are some things that you can do to maintain a good level of health and fitness.

Try not to have 'grab and go' meals. By this, I mean that you should try to sit down and eat your meal, rather than eat it while you are hanging up the laundry or walking the dog. Try to set some time aside to stop and eat, preferably with your client. Spend a little time and prepare some fresh fruit to go with your lunch. Include vegetables with your dinner. Fortunately, most clients will want a decent cooked meal at some point in the day so try to add things that are good. Cut down on starches and add veggies.

Perhaps your client insists on a pudding every night. No need for you to eat one, when a bowl of fruit is healthier for you and less calorific. Try not to get into the situation where you are eating for the sake of eating, or worse - eating for comfort. Both of these situations will add inches and pounds! We all know that comfort eating is so easy to do and such a  hard habit to break!

Sometimes it is possible to be at a client where you have a set time off every day. These are probably clients who have relief carers who must stick to a schedule so the day is planned out. It may be possible for you to join a local gym and at least do some cardio during your break.

Unfortunately, not every client allows you this opportunity, but you should have a good look at the schedule where you work and see if it is an option to get out of the house during your break. If there is no gym, consider walking daily. Even the worst placement will have somewhere you can walk for fifteen minutes! Just getting out of the house and in the fresh air will do wonders for your morale. 

If you are at a placement where you get a break but must stay in your room, then there are many online workouts which use no equipment and can be done in the house. It is worth looking at some of these and doing a revised routine for yourself that you can do in your break two or three times a week. Sometimes you will not feel much like exercising as some clients can be very tiring, but you will find that energy breeds energy, and after a few sessions even in your own room, you will start to feel more energised.

There are online yoga sessions which do not need a lot of space to do. You can do then on a mat or towel at the side of your bed, and they can be as long or as short as you like. If you are lucky enough to find an exercise ball at a client - or perhaps from a family member, then you will find whole routines which can be done using it. This is a great way to get some form of exercise into your day.

You may find it hard in the beginning to get into a different routine, but if you persevere with a better diet and add some exercise, you will notice a difference in your whole outlook – and hopefully in your waistline!

By sticking to a good diet of fresh fruit and veggies, watching your calories, and adding a bit of exercise, you will start to feel healthier and fitter. This will be a huge bonus to any client you find yourself caring for.