10 Real-Life Fitness Tips for Busy Moms

They say that in order to take care of your family, you have to take care of yourself. Honestly— that’s harder than it sounds sometimes, but these real-life fitness tips (like working out while you are sitting down) will help!

As moms, we’re always trying to do everything — take care of the kids, keep the house running, and maybe fit in a little time for ourselves. But if you’re anything like me, your needs are usually the first to get pushed aside.

For example, if there are only four apples left in the house, my four kids will get them before I do — because I want them to be healthy. You get the idea. It’s just human nature to put the people we love ahead of ourselves. But I’ve learned that when we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of our families as well as we should.

Here are a few things I’ve started doing to take better care of myself — so I can be the best version of me for my family. One simple way to start is by making sure you’re comfortable and supported with the right arch support inserts. It makes it a whole lot easier to keep up with your kids! 

1. Listen to an Audiobook while you workout.

I love to work out to YouTube Workout Videos and to workout to DVDs, but I can’t watch TV if I am trying to watch my workout video and follow the instructions. An audiobook is an easy answer- I never get bored listening to them! I have several reading apps that have audiobooks so we can listen anytime.
My three favorite audiobook services are:  Amazon’s Audible app because they have such a huge selection, Libby App (free with your library card) and the Hoopla app, which is also free with your library membership.

2. Hold eachother accountable

Add your friends or family members to your favorite fitness app so they can see when you workout. My family and I have our apple watches set to notify the others when one of us completes a workout. The suggested replies are always great (funny!) and it’s the perfect way to stay motivated.

3. Eat right and take your vitamins

Did you know that 70% of adult women are calcium deficient; that number jumps to around 85% for teen girls? It’s so important to eat right and take your vitamins in any area where you are lacking.

4. It takes 21 days to create a habit.

Make a 21 day eating and fitness schedule. Download an app for the lose it app or the FitnessPal app and stick to your plan for 21 days. You can do this!

5. Save your “cheat meals” for the weekend.

Ok- this is totally cheating, but my mom’s friend used to do this and it is a great little way to get started! Eat really healthy through the week and on the weekends, let yourself have a few treats. Get the ice cream that you didn’t have through the week or bake the cookies that you didn’t bake on Monday. Don’t overdo it, but know that you can eat healthy for five days and get a little “time off” for two days. Do it again on Monday.

6. Do a hard workout during the ads.

In college, my friend Julia and I used to go to the gym at 4:00, when Oprah was on TV. We would run on the treadmills during the commercials and walk (quickly) during the show. This was an easy way to build up to running more. Eventually, we were running during the show and walking during the commercials. Now, as a mom of four kids, if we are watching a show, I will use the ads as a challenge time: do a plank, do a wall-it, etc.

7. Plan and prep for tomorrow

Lay out your workout clothes and get dressed down to your shoes in the morning. If I wake up and have my whole work-out outfit picked out, it is easy to just throw it on and be ready to go. No excuses. It’s important to plan so you can make time for what matters.

8. Find a gym with childcare

Our kids love the childcare at my gym. They love the ‘teacher’ that works there and they just have fun. I have quit several gyms because the child-care was not up to par, but when you find one that the kids like, you will stick to it. It makes it so much better when the kids are asking YOU to go to the gym today! Better yet, if your kids are older, workout with them!

9. Get a new workout outfit

I am just not as motivated in a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants as I am when I have on athletic wear. Exercising is a LOT about what your mind is telling you- so get motivated to work out.Let your friends hold you accountable

10. Drink water

Be sure to drink water. It is equally as important! According to Healthline, Even “mild dehydration (fluid loss of 1–3%) can impair energy levels, impair mood, and lead to major reductions in memory and brain performance.”

Ready to hear more? Check out this posts:

How to start eating clean (whole, healthy foods)