When I ask my tired mom clients what the most difficult part of fitness is for them the answer almost always is: exercise.
Reasons vary but the ones that come up more frequently are: “I don’t have time” or “I’m too tired to exercise.”
As a mom of 3 boys under 5 years old I can totally relate, momma. When the clock strikes 5pm I’m D-O-N-E. I just want to put on pajamas, climb into bed and half-watch a show on TV because I’m too tired to watch the whole thing.
Let Dad handle the bathing, teeth brushing and Bible bedtime story while mom nurses the baby to sleep. Right?
However, I’ve found that on the days that I do exercise (even for 15 minutes) my mood is brighter, my patience lasts longer, and I delay the Godzilla-mom til the clock strikes 6pm (it used to be 4pm).
I also have more energy to handle the endless quarreling between my boys and the constant going up and down the stairs with my 5-month old.
So, I’d like to share 5 tips with you of things that I truly apply in my life, so that you may
Discover key tips to start exercising (or getting back into it) without stressing out or getting stuck in a gym.
Establish a schedule: Schedule a specific time for exercising and stick to it as if it were an important appointment. It can be early in the morning before the children wake up, during their nap time, or after they go to bed. I wasn’t a morning person but I found that from 4am - 6am is when my kids sleep deeply. So I feed the baby, put him back in his crib and head down to my living room to workout for 30-45 mins. It’s not perfect every day but it works most days.
Find activities you enjoy: It can be dancing, doing yoga, running, cycling, or even playing with your children at the park. If you enjoy what you're doing, it will be easier to stay consistent. Don’t just do a workout because someone said “this is what works”. Yes, it might work but if you’re not consistent with something simple first or if you don’t enjoy it, it won’t work for you.
Make the most of everyday moments: For example, you can do squats while preparing dinner, do stretches while waiting for the water to boil, or take walks with your children around the neighborhood. Yes, you will find me dancing in my kitchen or doing modified burpees on the kitchen countertops while I’m whipping up some dinner. Trust me, you don’t need a gym.
Involve your kids: You can take your children to the park and exercise while they play, ride bikes together, or even do a home workout routine with the participation of the children. This teaches your children the importance of staying active. My kids are early risers and full of energy so during the Summer we hit up the neighborhood with our bikes, scooters and stroller right after breakfast. You get a workout in and your kiddos burn off some energy. WIN/WIN?
Seek support: Find other busy moms who are also interested in exercising and form a support group. In Melissa Wellness Communities, you will find many tips, support, and motivation. There’s nothing like a gal who is going through the same valley or fighting the same battle to motivate you to keep on going (or someone who's been there in the past.)
So, Mom, are you ready to begin to exercise? Let’s do it together!
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