As a full time working mom who commutes to and from work each day, finding time to exercise is no easy feat. By the time I get home, get supper started (which is typically prepped before I leave but still takes time!), eat supper, clean up from supper, do bath time and bedtime with the kids, I am completely spent! Does this sound familiar?? So where and how does exercise fit in? Here are some tips that help me ensure I get my fitness fix each day.
- Exercise does not need to be at the gym
I haven’t had a gym membership in almost 2 decades yet fitness is still a part of my everyday life. You know what? It saves me time and money not going to the gym! Instead I do workouts in the comfort of my own home – in my basement or living room in the winter and in my backyard in the summer. Of course, in the time of COVID people have had to resort to at-home workouts which is proof that it can be done. Ultimately my take home from this point whether it be during a pandemic or in regular times, you don’t need expensive workout machines, equipment or classes in order to maintain fitness. In my opinion you don’t really need much more than water and maybe a mat!
- Exercise doesn’t need to be hours and hours (or even 1 hour!)
Most days all I have time for is a 20-30 minute workout and I’ve learned that it’s ok! In fact, I find I work that much harder when I know it’s a shorter period. I guess it is one of those quality vs. quantity type situations. I love a good high intensity workout which is typically less then 30 minutes. If you are looking for quick and efficient workouts I strongly recommend you check out my previous blog post on Top 4 Youtube Workouts. These are workouts I personally use on a regular basis and swear by!
- Exercise is all about routine
What time of day is the best for you to workout? Start by choosing when exercise benefits you the most. For me I know I can’t exercise in the morning before work. I am not a morning person to start plus I have never found it to boost my energy for the rest of the day like so many people describe. Considering this, I do not attempt to exercise in the early morning hours. Ultimately I know this would not be a routine I would stick to. So be sure to pick a time of day that works for you. Otherwise you risk not being able to follow through. If you are just starting out with an exercise routine then consider starting with a 15 minute commitment to exercise. Or breaking your workout down into 2-15 minute sessions. Maybe one over lunch hour and one before dinner. Once this becomes a part of your daily schedule then you can slowly increase your time. Time is always the issue when it comes to exercise but who can’t carve out 15 minutes from their day! I remember reading an article years ago about a woman who would exercise during every commercial break of her nighttime TV binge watch. Such a clever idea! Find ways to be creative and work exercise into your daily routine. Think of exercise as booking an appointment with yourself. Would you cancel an appointment with your doctor? Probably not! So don’t cancel an appointment to keep yourself healthy and in turn happy.
- Plan out your exercise schedule for the week
On Sundays I take a few minutes to sit down and plan out my exercise schedule for the week. This includes what type of exercise I plan to do on each day that week. I like to ensure I incorporate 3 days of cardio and 2-3 days of strength training/pilates/yoga. I typically allow for 1 day of rest which usually still involves a walk.
- Set the stage for your exercise each day
This helps to prevent you from backing out. So what does this mean? For me this means setting up anything I need for my workout that day in my chosen workout spot. I typically workout after I put my daughter down for a nap in the afternoon or after the kids are asleep in the evening. In either case, I get changed into my workout clothes before I put them down. This way, when I come downstairs, I am all set up and ready to go. If you tend to be a gym goer then pack your workout bag and water bottle and have it at the front door or in your car waiting for you. In other words, try to have things prepared as much as possible so you have limited reasons to bail.
Listen, I hear you loud and clear! There are never enough hours in a day to complete all the things you need to do. But you need to reframe that thinking and consider exercise as a chance to refuel so you have more energy to complete all those tasks on your list. Don’t feel guilty for taking this time out for yourself because in the end everyone around you will also benefit! Now get up off the couch and get started on that workout!
Enjoy!