With the New Year on the horizon, I’ll be starting a huge health kick soon! I am an incredibly busy Mum but need to find time to fit in more exercise. But just how can I do that? This post will offer some tips and tricks for busy Mums like myself to exercise more.
When you become a parent, many things are removed from your priority list. For many, this is exercise. However, this one should get put right back near the top, as exercise is vital to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Unfortunately, it can stay lower on the list as you need to be able to find the time to exercise regularly, as well as the energy to get moving. Having a family means that you have commitments and responsibilities, and things always arise.
It might also mean you are very tired from late or sleepless nights, early mornings, running around and generally just giving your energy to other people. It takes a lot of energy to look after and support other human beings. This is why exercise can be so crucial, as although it takes time and effort to start, it will give you the energy and mood boost that you need as a Mum. To help you on your journey as a busy mum, here are some top tips to help you squeeze exercise into your schedule.
Change your expectations
It is important to consider what your expectations are for exercise. Any kind of exercise is amazing, and it does not have to be hours spent in the gym per day. When you think like this, it makes exercise not very accessible to you and makes it feel more out of reach.
It is very difficult for anyone, let alone if you are a parent or not, to find several hours in a day to try and achieve that. So, change your expectations. Exercise could be a walk with the family. It could be 20 minutes in your living room, or 5 minutes of movement while the kettle boils to make your morning cup of tea. This makes the idea of exercise less overwhelming, and more accessible to you, and therefore, easier to fit into your day somewhere. Go easy on yourself and adapt your thinking to your current lifestyle.
Get your family involved
If going to the gym or a class right now is not something you feel like you can do, then don’t try. There are plenty of other ways that you can exercise. And there are lots of ideas that can get the whole family involved. This way you don’t have to pick between family time and exercise, or finding childcare or someone to look after your children. It will also allow you to be a good role model for your children and show them movement is good, and all the fun ways you can do it. You can go for walks together. Or you can find some fun activities to do that will make you all move, such as dancing, a visit to the local park, rock climbing, and more!
Seek support
If you want to keep exercise separate from your family and use it as your own self-care time, then a great way to help you schedule it in your busy diary is to seek support. There are many kinds of support you can seek. From a personal trainer to a friend you meet at the gym. This way, you will treat it like a meeting and schedule it regularly, and it will keep you accountable.
Making time to exercise as a busy mum is hard work! Follow these top tips to help you change the way you think about exercise and squeeze more into your life.
