School Is Back In Session: The Parents “Quick” Guide To Staying On Track With Your Fitness.
Lets face it, staying on track with your fitness journey can be tough even under the best circumstances. Nonetheless, adding a couple of kiddos starting a new school year, new activities, pulling you in what feels like a million different directions….. It probably can seem impossible. I don't have kids, but I have talked to a handful of friends who have anywhere from 1-5 kids and I asked them about their experiences with balancing life with kids and being successful with your personal fitness journey.
I’ve put together a list of helpful tips to help you parents stay on track based off of the experiences shared from my friends. The bottom line is that life is busy, but your fitness is important to your well being and your kids. This is also a really great way to teach your little ones that exercise is important to being healthy, fit and strong!
- Don’t Have An Hour to Workout? No Problem!
This is something I heard across the board from my conversations with friends, “I don't have an hour to workout, so I don’t”. You do not need an hour to have an efficient and effective workout, that is a common misconception that so many people have. What does matter is CONSISTENCY! If you can find 10, 20, or 30 minutes a day for 2-3 days a week you will see great changes in your fitness and health.
- Write It Into Your Schedule or Calendar.
You write down and keep track of every other important thing going on in your life i'm sure, so why not write in your workout on your daily checklist. As simple as this is, this is something I personally have done. It has created a great routine for me knowing when I will be working each day and making sure I do it before moving to my next thing on my checklist.
- 3. Spread It Out.
This will probably be easier for folks who work from home or are stay at home parents, but spread out your workout into small increments throughout the day! So instead of 30 minutes at once, break it into two-15 minute or three-10 minute sessions. For Instance, get up and get a quick walk first thing in the morning, maybe a quick bodyweight interval before lunch, or load the kiddos up in the stroller and go for a jog after work! Anything will be better than doing nothing, and there is absolutely zero proof that you have to complete a workout for 60 minutes continuously to see benefits… get it done, however you can!
- Get Creative.
Sometimes you are going to have those days where you just don't have time to do any kind of scheduled workout and that's ok! It's time to get creative and mix in a little fitness with your busy life! For instance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park at the far end of the parking lot to get a few more steps in, if you’re on the phone a lot just walk while you talk if you can! (this is one of my favorite things to get some more movement in)
- The “Buddy” System
We all know that working out with a buddy is way more fun than working out alone! Find a friend that has similar goals and hit it together, this adds a great amount of accountability as well! Walking partners, spin class, pick-up basketball, tennis, these are all great ways to stay active and enjoy time with your friends!
- Are you having fun?
This is a super easy thing to ask yourself when you're not feeling motivated or feel like you're in a rut. Ask yourself…. Are you enjoying your workouts? Or people you're working out with? If these things aren't lining up, try something new or find someone new to hit a workout with. Your personal motivation levels playa huge role in your success as well, make sure you’re enjoying it!
Make exercise something you can’t imagine living without. Clarify your long term values with your health and fitness. Ask yourself: “What do I value about myself and my future? What do I really look forward to?” Dancing at all your grandchildren’s weddings? Skiing till you’re 100? Taking a year-long RV trip?
There’s a large chance that whatever you value and desire can at least in part be achieved through fitness. As one of my favorite movie characters Andy Dufresne said, “Get busy living or get busy dying”.