It’s time for the second day of the Healthy Living/Fitness writing challenge. Today’s topic is how to fit fitness into our busy lives. As moms, we are all often too busy to fit fitness into our lives, or that is often our excuse. It’s time to put excuses aside and follow these fitness tips to make room for exercise in your daily life.
The number one fitness tip is to MOVE MORE!
This is truly the easiest tip. We all need to get off our butts and move more. We get stuck sitting at desks, in cars, etc. Make a point to move in some way at least once an hour.
#1 Fitness at the office
If you have a desk job, walk the hall, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Even standing in your office while on the phone is better for your body than sitting. Consider sitting on an exercise ball to work your core. Here is a post with other great tips for staying healthy at the office.
#2 Fitness at home
If you are a stay-at-home or work-at-home mom, hopefully it’s easier to fit movement into your life. If nothing else, walk the stairs in your house for 5-10 minutes a few times a day. House cleaning or gardening can burn quite a few calories too. I created some easy no-equipment workouts you can do in your living room on my YouTube channel. Here is one of my favorites to get those buns and thighs in shape:
#3 Fitness with the kids
If you are busy with the kids, make sure to play games that require movement. One of my favorites is a dance party or freeze dance with my kids. We really can work up a sweat and have fun. My kids are 8 and 11 and they still get a kick out of this game. Here’s a post for more exercise with your kids ideas.
#4 Fitness with your significant other or friends
Enlist the help of your significant other or friends. Meeting up with someone for a workout or a brisk walk will hold you accountable to get it done. It has been really cold in my area for weeks. I am so lucky to have my husband working from home to get me out for mid-day walks with our dog. I also have a friend in my neighborhood who will walk rain, shine, or cold. Seek out the friends that will support you in making time for fitness. Ask your hubby or a friend to watch your kids while you go take a class or even workout in a different room of the house.
#5 Find other fitness options in your area
Many people find the best motivation to exercise away from the hectic environment at home. Join a gym or sign up for classes at a fitness studio. I love finding locations that offer class cards so you are not locked into a contract and can mix up the classes you take. For example, I have class cards at a Pilates studio, a boot camp club, and a yoga studio. Join a walking, cycling, or hiking club to meet up with like-minded folks who also want to fit in fitness. Check out Meetup.com to see if there is such a club in your area or start one of your own.
Stop making excuses and figure out a way to move more. You can do it! Stop by Friday for the next Health Living Fitness post. The topic will be inspired by the word STRENGTH.
I think including your kids and hubby can really help keep your motivation going. Thanks for these tips.
great tips, I especially love #2 because I work from home also and getting fit while sitting on my butt isn’t working out 🙂
We’ve found the local YMCA to be the best (and most affordable) option for us. Of course we revel in the social aspect of it!
Who isn’t busy these days. I’ll to try the ones you can do at work
Thanks for these tips. It’s not always easy to get a workout in my day. I’ll need to remember these
I LOVE your living room fitness video 🙂
Great tips!!! I work out with the kids and in my living room!!!
I bet my kids would love that dance party idea. I never thought about walking my stairs. I usually just lunge around the upstairs, Lol.
Lunges are great too!