7 Easy Fitness Tips Every Busy Mom Can Do
Every mom wants the best for their families. That means staying healthy and fit for a more relaxed and energy-packed life! But with so much to do, can only super-moms fit fitness into their schedules? Nope! Here are easy fitness tips that slot into your day.
Work Out
Think of it as downtime. When you’re working out, it’s a good time to reset, refresh, and free your mind for a moment. Here are some suggestions.
Whole-body circuit. You only need 15-20 minutes to get the blood pumping to your arms and legs.
Running. If your baby is still in a stroller, consider investing in one with running wheels. Then take your baby along for the ride!
Of course, motherhood does many things to your body. Make sure you have the right kind of sports bra for your activity and life stage!
Create A Routine
“But that’s what I’ve been trying to do!” You say. Very true, one thing a mother never seems to have enough of is time. Here are some tips to get organized–and get that fitness schedule in.
Create weekly rhythms. Relegate common, repetitive tasks to a weekly schedule. Review bills on Monday. Take out the trash on Tuesday. Family day on Sunday.
Create daily blocks of time. If your day has too many details, block them off in 1- to 3-hour sections. Put “work out” in a whole 1-hour section of its own.
Make Sleep A Priority
Stay fit by sleeping well? Yes, it’s scientifically proven that a good night’s sleep helps us lose weight. Here’s how.
Sleeping less than 7 hours a night makes us 55% more prone to obesity. The less we sleep, the easier we gain.
Less sleep = bigger appetite. Without the recharge sleep was supposed to give us, our body craves quick energy boosters, which tend to be high in sugar.
More sleep = more self control. Without sleep, we tend to have less decision-making power to control our cravings. In other words, see donut, eat donut. Sleep helps us say yes to healthy choices.
Become A Morning Person
One way to trick your mind and body into finding more “time” is to get up earlier. For sure, having a newborn or a child with a fever will mess up your routine. But if your children are a manageable age, you can try these tips to become a morning person.
Avoid sleep disruptors before bed. Sleep disruptors are caffeine, sugar-rich food, or spice-heavy dishes. Resist the temptation of one more energy booster before bed!
Leave your mobile device outside of the room. Our mobile phone’s lights signal our brains to keep moving, and they can’t settle down long enough for a good rest.
Get ready for the next day. If there is anything you can prepare the night before or even two days before, do it. That way, you can sleep early and wake up early relaxed and ready to go.
Eat Like A Fit Mom
Wake up, get the kids settled, run your full-body workout, shower, sit down exhausted, binge on your favorite snacks. Wait…something’s not right.
Eating like a fit mom doesn’t have to mean shocking your family with a fully updated meal plan. Let’s look at some simple things you can do to eat healthier.
Replace dish ingredients. Have a stress-free diet change by changing fattier meat for lean meat, steaming instead of frying, replacing the kind of oil you use, buying fresh produce, etc.
Eat the right snacks. Snacking is actually healthy. It keeps your metabolism running and doesn’t let you get so hungry you binge during the main meal. Pick fruits, nuts, and other healthy snacks instead.
Stop Being Too Hard On Yourself
An unfinished to-do list can really wear us down. The truth is, mothers have a wide range of responsibilities with not a lot of time. How can you stop being so hard on yourself?
Reduce the coffee and sugar. The temporary highs and lows of caffeine and sugar make self-doubt and downward spiraling easier.
Have one goal at a time. Sometimes this week is about sorting the daily menu. Sometimes the next week is helping your child prepare for exams. Don’t overdo the goal-setting.
Listen to those who love you. If a friend or partner is suggesting you’re expecting too much of yourself, they might be right. Let them encourage you and help you rest!
Find Good Social Support
“Yes! You can do it!” “Hey, have you worked out today? Want to have a co-workout session?”
Not everyone will understand why you want to add working out or fitness to all the other things on your plate, especially as a mother. Try to find mothers or even fitness coaches who are committed to helping you stick with your goals of being a healthier and happier mom.
The Takeaway
It’s all about grabbing the opportunity and enjoying the moment. Fitness is supposed to help you release stress and have a better quality of life. Take it slow and just keep going!