Balancing Parenthood and Fitness - Tips for Busy Moms and Dads
Simple Strategies for Parents to Stay Fit While Raising Kids
Finding time for fitness as a busy parent can seem impossible some days. Between work, kids' activities, household chores, and everything else on your plate, exercise is often the first thing to get cut from your schedule. But staying active is so important, both for your physical health and mental wellbeing. As parents, we need to take care of ourselves in order to properly care for our families.
The good news is that you don't need hours at the gym every day to be fit as a parent. With a little creativity and commitment, you can maintain an active lifestyle amidst the craziness of raising kids. Here are some tips to help busy moms and dads balance parenthood and fitness:
Get the Family Involved
Turn exercise into quality time with the kids. Go for family walks or bike rides, play active games together at the park like tag or soccer, and sign up for a fun run or obstacle course you can all do together. Your kids will benefit from more activity too!
Wake Up Early
Try waking up 30-60 minutes early before the family is up to fit in a quick workout. Use this time to do a HIIT routine, go for a run, or hop on the elliptical. Early morning workouts can be a peaceful, energizing start to your day.
Schedule It In
Treat exercise like any other important appointment and block off time for it in your calendar. This will help ensure you don't push it aside when things get busy. Aim for whatever frequency realistically works for your schedule, whether it's four days a week or just a few sessions a month.
Do What You Can, When You Can
Rather than trying to carve out long workout blocks, do shorter bursts of exercise whenever possible. Squeeze in a YouTube workout while the baby naps, or knock out some bodyweight squats and lunges during kitchen cleanup. Take the stairs rather than the elevator, walk instead of drive when possible, and play actively with your kids. It all adds up!
Incorporate Exercise Into Childcare
Make working out a bonding experience by exercising with your kids. Go on a jog with the stroller, do squats and lunges while wearing the baby, or let the little ones “compete” with you in push-ups and planks. Keeping them engaged with movement makes it a win-win!
Ask For Help
Call on your support system to help carve out time for fitness. Ask your partner to cover childcare duties for an hour while you hit the gym, or swap workout time for a friend who will watch your kids. Don't be afraid to enlist some help so you can take care of your health.
Prioritize Sleep
Nothing sabotages a workout faster than exhaustion. Try your best to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night as part of your fitness commitment. Your workouts will be more productive and you'll have the energy needed to keep up with your kids.
As parents, making ourselves a priority can feel selfish, but regular exercise benefits your entire family. Setting a good example will motivate your children to be active as well. Staying fit means you'll have the energy to fully enjoy this special time raising your kids and watching them grow up healthy. With consistency and creativity, you can definitely achieve fitness success, even during the busiest parenting years.
