Finding time to exercise with small kids
Finding time to exercise when you have kids is challenging. (If you don’t have kids, replace that word with career, pet, family, etc. These tips can still apply.) It can feel impossible, especially in those early years when your kids aren’t self-sufficient yet. But it can be done, with a little planning and strategy.
The first thing to ask yourself is — “What is my WHY?” Why do you want to (or need to) prioritize your health? Maybe you want to lose weight, to feel more confident, to get stronger, to have more energy to keep up with your kids or just stay healthy so you can watch them grow up. Dig deep to figure out that real reason and come back to that when you feel unmotivated or frustrated.
As moms, we spend so much time taking care of everyone else that we often forget that we matter too. It’s not selfish to want time for yourself. It’s necessary! How can you expect to give your best to your kids if you’re not at your best? You deserve to have time for self care, whether that be exercise, time with friends, a spa day, or just sitting in silence not having to get anyone a snack for an hour.
Once you figure out your why, start with these next steps.
Ask your partner for support. You have to advocate for your needs. Sit down with your partner and explain why you need to make time to exercise. Ultimately, a healthier you benefits the entire family. Share your intended schedule with your partner and ask them to commit to caring for the kids solo so you can make this a priority. In relationships and parenthood, there has to be compromise. My husband and I have an agreement where each of us gets to do things we enjoy away from the kids each week. I’m supportive of his time away, and he is of mine. And we’re both happier and better parents because of it.
Make a realistic and consistent schedule. Your schedule will fluctuate during your motherhood journey. During some phases, early mornings might make the most sense. During others, it may not happen until late at night after bedtime. Either way, start by making a realistic schedule. If all you can commit to is 3 days a week for 30 minutes, that’s great! Start there and stick to it. There may be days when your workout is thrown out of whack by interruptions, illnesses or other unexpected circumstances. That’s life! But remember: an imperfect but consistent fitness routine is better than an inconsistent perfect one.
Plan your workouts ahead of time. If you don’t have a plan for the day’s workout, you’ll end up spending way more time than you have trying to figure it out in the moment. Write down the workout plan in advance, pick out the video you want to do or sign up for the class you plan to attend. Just like you pack your kids’ school items in advance, do this for yourself. Lay all of your clothes, shoes and equipment out the night before. That way all you have to do is change and hit the ground running. You want as few barriers as possible.
Get your family involved in the routine. The toxic fitness industry has made us believe that a “true workout” must be overly challenging, intense, long and sweat-inducing in order to count. But that just isn’t true. A walk around the neighborhood pushing a stroller is exercise. Running around playing hide and seek is exercise. Shooting hoops with your kids is exercise. Having an impromptu dance party is exercise. Think outside of the box and find fun ways to move your body while spending time with your family.
Give yourself grace. Mom guilt is something that we all deal with. But if I exercise when the baby’s napping, I won’t have time to fold the laundry. By the time I get the kids down for bed, I’m too exhausted to exercise. I won’t have enough time to prep dinner if I go to the gym before school pickup. I’ve had many of these thoughts before. And over time, I’ve realized that some of those things can wait, or can be simplified to meet my needs. Sure, maybe the kids get a little extra screen time while I work out in the next room. Maybe I use frozen vegetables instead of spending more time chopping up fresh ones for dinner. Maybe I shut off TikTok an hour early to get more sleep and wake up refreshed enough to work out before the kids wake up. Do whatever you need to do to make it happen and don’t feel guilty about it.
Your family wants the best version of you. And you can’t give them that until you prioritize YOU! If you’re looking for a guided program to help get you on track, you’ve come to the right place. As a busy working mom of 2, I understand exactly how hard it is to make time for your health. My 6-week fitness challenge takes all the planning out of the equation for you. All you have to do is turn on the video and go! Click here to learn more, take a free class or register to join my Workout with Mom Squad.
