Finding Time for Fitness as a Mom

Getting in shape is probably on most mom's to-do lists. It just seems to be the task that never gets checked off. For a busy mom, jump-starting an exercise routine can be overwhelming even if you're motivated. If you aren't busy taking the kids to doctor's appointments, soccer games or birthday parties, chances are you're home making dinner, cleaning, or doing loads of laundry. And if you're a fulltime working mom, there are those days that your job requires earlier or later hours. Add all this up, along with 7-8 hours of sleep, where and how do you fit in time for fitness?

Mom or not, we all have busy lives, obligations, schedules, etc. that can get in our way of exercising. For me, I lack energy most days. And when I'm tired, the last thing I want to do is go to the gym. But we need to find ways to fight through this and get the motivation to push through it. For some, this might be caffeine. I don't know how I would survive without my morning coffee. There are also tons of energy boosting supplements on the market. Just be sure to do research on these as some, like the 5-hour energy drink, contain extremely high amounts of caffeine that are not healthy.
No one can lose the weight for you or go to the gym on your behalf except you! To be successful in anything you do in life, it takes hard work, dedication, and time. So when you are too tired, too hungry, too whatever, you are only hurting yourself. Hold yourself accountable, set goals. Write them down on paper and post them on the refrigerator and pantry doors. These are places you walk by multiple times each day and they constantly remind you of what your end results will be.

Now the next step is putting all this into action. I'm pretty sure most moms have a schedule or calendar, this is like your bible. You need to stay organized. So schedule some time for you. And, NO, that's not selfish. To be the best mom you can be, you need to be healthy and happy. So wake up a half hour earlier and jump on the treadmill or go for a jog outside. Or once the kids go to bed, breakout that new fitness DVD that still has the store wrapping on it and get moving!

I hear many moms say that they can't afford a gym membership, or get the extra time to drive to and from the gym, or find someone to watch the kids while you go. Ok, that's totally understandable. So get creative! If you have a newborn, use your little one as a weight while you play. Hold him or her in your arms and squat while lifting them up and playing airplane. This is great bonding time while you're working your way to a toned bottom half and arms. When they get a little older, it so much easier to get active. Go outside with them and play a sport, throw a baseball, go to the batting cages, play soccer. You can also team up with other families and either get all the kids out together or swap kids a few times a week so you can get a workout class in. The possibilities are endless! 

And when the kids are tired out but you still need to go home and make dinner, you can still squeeze in a little more exercise. Use the cans of corn as weights and do some curls. Or while you're standing and stirring at the stove, do standing calf raises. Now to make sure you keep you diet on track to help with your fitness goals, pick one day each week to prep meals for the entire week. Place everything in Tupperware, you can even mark off which day is which container. Voila, no excuse for fast food! Pack your containers in a cooler with a water bottle and take it in the car, and now you can eat healthy on to go!

Making excuses is the easiest thing to do. We all fall victim to it. I can only imagine how tough it is to be a mom. Finding energy can be the biggest challenge of all. Just now that once you complete you're workout for the day, you won't regret it, trust me! Set good examples for your kids and they are likely to follow in your footsteps. I know I'm just like my momma!