For a busy mum, whether you are a working or stay at home mum, starting an exercise routine can sometimes seem impossible to fit to your long list of to ‘dos’ every day. The biggest challenge you may face is finding time to fit everything. Below are some tips to help make this possible for you.
Working mums
• If you are working 10 hours a day, it can sometimes be very hard to motivate yourself to get to the gym. Go during your one-hour lunch break or directly before or after work. Sometimes working out in morning is easier to do as you are fresh and the stress of work hasn’t got on top of you.
• Get a support group/workout group going in work and maybe use lunch time to train together. Having support or a buddy to train with will help keep up your motivation.
• When possible cycle or walk to work and always use the stairs. These are useful ways of getting your cardio done without having to worry about the trip to the gym after.
Stay at home mums
• If you are a stay at home mum using fitness DVDs or training online with a personal trainer are both good ideas to help you keep on track with your workouts. Try to do this when the kids are asleep and get into a regular routine.
• Taking the kids for long walks or playing fun activities in the park is also a good way to help both you and them to exercise.
• Get the kids involved let them feel like workout is a team effort between all of you do something fun like hiking or mountain biking.
• Try to exercise early because as the day goes on it gets easier to make excuses. Try as hard as you can to schedule 30 minutes for yourself before or after breakfast.
Tips for both
• Prep your food ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. Having meals ready to eat will take less time and make it easier for you to follow the correct diet, otherwise if you’re hungry you will eat what is there. Use the weekend to prep your meals this will take around one hour from your day and save you from craving and eating bad food.
• Track and count everything you eat as this enable you to know the food you’re consuming and keep you within your daily macronutrient goals. Hiring a personal trainer is a good way to keep you motivated and ensure you train consistently and reach your goal.
• Make use of the weekends with your family. Doing fun active activities not only benefits you but it is great for the whole family.Classes such as baby aqua classes or mums and tots are awesome classes to attend to suit both you and young kids.
With thanks to Louise Sheilds, Fitness Manager at Fitness First, Dalma Mall. Visit www.fitnessfirstme.com.