Fitness tips for busy moms

A woman exercising standing on a yoga matt

We often hear people saying “being a mom is one of the toughest jobs in the world”. We feel that being a mom is not a job, it is a calling. However, it is a calling that requires a lot of hard work and effort. So much so that mothers often put every ounce of energy into making sure that their children are happy and healthy, often forgetting to take care of themselves.

One thing is for sure, kids want their mothers to be around as long as possible. Practicing these fitness tips for busy moms can help reduce the risk of heart disease and other health issues. This should be a priority for every mom.If you want to take care of your kids, you will need to take care of yourself first. Staying fit and healthy is a part of that.

Time is of the essence

There are changes that first-time moms need to be prepared for. Knowing how to deal with changes after giving birth is important, both mentally and physically. Time is a rare commodity in today's world. Most of us struggle to find any spare time to do the things we really enjoy. You should not allow this to be the case though. Keep in mind that working on your fitness levels doesn’t have to take up a big portion of your time. We know that time is precious so we’re going to get straight into the nitty-gritty of exercise with some tips to keep you fit.

Fitness tips for a fit body and mind

High-intensity interval training

Just because you might be short on time does not mean you cannot fit in a quick exercise session every day. There are certain exercise programs designed specially to get your heartrate up and your muscles working in short periods of time. These are known as HIIT programs or high-intensity interval training.

Some of these programs require as little as fifteen minutes per day. Many different exercises can be done as part of a HIIT session. This means you can target various muscle groups or body parts.

Many of these high-intensity programs don’t require any special equipment whatsoever. You can activate all your muscles at home without the need to go to a gym, saving you both time and money. After your HIIT session, remember to have a protein shake to help your muscles recover faster - as a busy parent, it's key to make sure you're doing everything you can to make your workouts effective!

Lower intensity exercise

If you are a beginner and a daily exercise routine is something completely new to you, it might be easier for you to start off with something a little less intense. Taking walks around your neighborhood is a great way to get started. You can slowly increase the pace of these walks when you feel ready to do so.

Another bonus is that you will get to spend more time outdoors. This will help you relieve stress and clear your mind. You can even take your kids with you! Although, this may diminish the stress relief aspect of your daily walk. It will, however, make sure your kids are active as well and that they take in some rays of sunshine.

Also, if you live in an apartment building, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Climbing stairs is a great form of exercise. It will help tone your hamstrings, calves, glutes, quadriceps, and abdominal muscles. This is a great way to sculpt your body.

Turn playtime into a family exercise session

You’ve heard of jazzercize and dance-based exercise techniques, right? Well, you can apply a similar principle and turn playtime into a very effective exercise session. All you need is a radio or a TV that you can use to play some music and a bit of space to dance. After that, it's pretty much all up to you.

The more effort you put in, the more effective it will be. You can even invent new dance moves if it suits you.The important thing is that you move your body and get your heartrate going. This way, you will combine muscle toning and cardio exercise.

Your kids are sure to love it too, especially if you put on some fast-paced children’s songs they enjoy. You can get a few good laughs in too and we know laughter is great for our health.

Another great option is to put on a DVD or to stream an exercise video that has some of their favorite cartoon characters showing them which exercises to do and try to keep up with them. It might sound likechild’s play, but its hard work and is sure to make you break a sweat.

Finally, try to organize your weekend so you spend time with your family actively. You could go for a walk, a bike ride, a run,a hike or a swim. It's fun for the whole family.

A family sitting on the rocks with a beautiful landscape in front of them

Spending your weekend hiking with your family can be beneficial to your health and your family life.

Build a small home gym

If you are lucky enough to have a bit of extra space in your home, you should consider turning it into a small home gym. For starters, it will provide you with the space you need to exercise without tripping over your kid's toys and other items. This doesn’t have to be a costly transformation either, you don’t have to get a treadmill and other expensive exercise equipment installed. All you really need is a few weights, a jumping rope,and a quality yoga mat.

If you really want to go the distance,getting a boxing bag will help you tone your arms with ease. In addition, you’ll be able to get rid of any negative energy you might have.

Home gym equipment. Getting adequate home gym equipment is a good fitness tip for busy moms.

Find out which exercises you can do at home and if you need to, go out and buy the necessary equipment.

Create a schedule

Now that we have covered the basic options available to hard-working, busy moms, it is probably a good idea for you to sit down and create an exercise schedule. You don’t have to pick one particular form of exercise either. Instead, you can create a combined program that includes a little bit of everything listed above. The important thing is that you get some exercise done and keep your fitness levels up. Don’t forget that taking rest periods is just as important as the workout itself. When creating your schedule you should incorporate time for rest too.

The physical benefits of exercise are well known but the psychological benefits are just as important. You will begin to feel more energized and settled, happier and more relaxed with every exercise session. If you can, focus on eating healthier as a family. Your increased wellbeing will reflect not only on yourself, but on your entire family too.

A healthy home is a happy home.

Related source:Benefits of exercise

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