As a mom, you probably realize that you have a 24-hour job that is among the busiest in the world. Between caring for your kids, preparing dinners, cleaning around the house, shopping for food, running errands, and going to work, it often seems as though your tasks are relentless and never-ending. Your obligations are all important and none can be abridged or given up, meaning that you find yourself often rushing from one thing to the next.
This regularly leaves many moms cutting back on an all-too-important commitment: their commitment to themselves. Every person needs some time to and do their own thing every once in a while. Every person also needs to be able to look out for their personal health and wellness. On a physical level this means making time to go to the gym.
You may be wondering: How can I make time to workout when I’m already so busy with family and work obligations? While this is certainly a valid question to ask, there are many ways to balance your fitness needs with all these other activities. After all, a workout doesn’t need to consist of several hours at the gym. It can instead be done in a much more time-efficient manner.
Here are a few tips:
–Running is the way to go. If you’re trying to get the greatest workout benefit in the shortest amount of time, there’s no better way to make it happen than by going for a run. Running burns calories far quicker than any other activity. It is also convenient and easy to do; all you need is a pair of shoes and a nearby sidewalk.
–Work exercise into your routine, not around it. Many people approach their exercise need by trying to work it around their other obligations. Perhaps a better attitude is to integrate your workout into your regular daily tasks. For example, you can bike to work instead of sitting in your car and eating away at your day. You can also do exercises in your office while on your lunch break, in the kitchen while dinner is cooking, or in the living room while the kids watch TV before bed.
–Have a repertoire of at-home exercises. There are numerous exercises that can make your sweat, sculpt your body, and be accomplished without a gym membership or any special equipment. These exercises include plank hold, stair running, situps, pushups, wall sits, squats, and calf raises. All of these can easily be done whenever you have a free moment at home.
–Make the commitment. Some busy moms simply need to make a commitment to an exercise schedule. Once they do that, working out becomes just one more obligation that they can find a way to successfully juggle. The best way to make a commitment is usually by incurring an upfront cost. Instead of buying that amethyst ring you’ve been eying, spend the money on a gym membership and see if that gets you exercising more often.
These are just a few of the many ways that a busy mom can fit a workout into her high-powered life. Amidst all the time spent looking out for your children and your family, it is always important that your personal needs do not go neglected. Making time for a workout stands foremost among these.