The number one reason, well, excuse, really, that people give for not working out is there isn’t enough time.
To which I say, “phooey.”
But, if you are a busy mom, you know probably better than anyone how hard it is to squeeze in even a few extra minutes to go to the bathroom, let alone workout.
Back to school time is the perfect time to start a workout program, if you haven’t already. And when I say program, I don’t actually mean “program” with diets and fitness logs, I just mean start working out. I know that when the kids go back to school, you aren’t just sitting around eating BonBons all day until they get home: there is laundry to do, bills to pay, food to make, or if you work, a job to do. Every one’s schedule is a little different, but with your kids gone for 6-7 hours out of the day, this is the closest you are going to get to me-time, so take advantage.
You don’t have to join a gym, or sign up for classes, as the commute and prep usually take more time than the actual workout. You can turn your home into your own gym.
Here’s how:
- Stock up on exercises DVDs. There are a wide variety out there from cardio, to strength training, to yoga, to belly dancing. They also come in a wide variety of lengths, from 20 minutes, up to 90 minutes. Get as many different kinds as you can so you can always fit in a workout no matter how much time you have. Swap with friends when you get bored and to save some cash, check out craigslist.com or second hand book stores for used ones.
- Invest in some hand weights. They are cheap, and very versatile. Depending on your fitness level, choose weights that work for you. As you get stronger, you are going to have to find heavier ones, or go with resistance bands that can be adjusted as you progress. If you have a tight budget, use household objects- bottles of water, milk jugs and soup cans are easy to hold onto, so you can use them as dumbbells or simply do exercises that use your own body weight.
- Make a list- write down all the exercises you want to do, and how many sets. As you complete them, cross them off the list. The list can last you all day because your muscles only know if you did the exercise, not when you did them. Sneak in sets during commercial breaks, while you are talking on the phone, anytime, but as long as everything is crossed off at the end of the day, your workout is complete.
Make time for yourself this school year, and take care of your body. Take care of of your health, and give your kids the healthiest parent you can.
Comments
No comments.