How do you find time to get your mom workout in?

Are you struggling to find the time to take care of yourself? Have you had a tough time working out since having kids?

Many things change once becoming a mom. One of the biggest is finding that you don’t have the time available to spend on yourself that you used to. Babies, and even older children take up the majority of our time.

Everyone has their own struggles

I have personally found, that trying to lose the baby weight is one thing, but trying to actually find the time regularly without much support is my main struggle.

We’re all in different situations. We all have different struggles. Don’t let anyone shame you for not being perfect. Have you heard of the“No Excuse” mom, Maria Kang? She managed to get herself into amazing shape after having three kids and figured that if she can do it, anyone can. Even she had a change of heart after going through some of her own trials and putting on some pounds. It’s never okay to judge anyone else.

It is important to take care of ourselves

It is important to workout and take care of ourselves so that we’ll have the energy to meet the demands of our family. We want to be as healthy as we can so that we’ll be around longer for our kids. Being healthy also greatly improves your quality of life. Working out and eating healthy foods regularly can greatly improve your mood and mental health.

Workout tips for moms

Check out these tips to help you figure out how to fit exercise and healthy eating into your schedule:

1. Workout before the kids get up or after they go to sleep at night or during naps
2. Workout in the backyard while the kids play.  (If you have access to a pool, do water exercises while your kids swim.)
3. Go on a walk as a family. Or go to a park where your kids can play. Join in or walk around the outside perimeter of the playground. Or even walk the dog.
4. Run/walk with kids in the stroller.
5. Include small children in your workout using them as your weights.
6. Sometimes it’s difficult to get it done with kids in the room, but do it anyways.
7. Do Yoga together. If you have young kids, they may like to participate in something like Cosmic Kids Yoga. If it’s not intense enough for you, freestyle as you add to your own workout or do a little extra when they’re workout is done.
8. Work out harder and longer in a group setting. Find a mommy group that works out at a park or a community group that is kid friendly. In Utah, there are several free community Zumba classes.
9. Find a gym with daycare. This was the best thing I ever did when my kids were younger. It gave me my “me time”. Plus, I need the extrinsic motivation that comes with group workouts.
10. Take turns watching kids/working out with a friend, or family member.
11. Pay a local teen to watch your kids while you workout. They might even charge less if it’s at bedtime and they can do homework while the kids sleep.
12. Ride bikes/Rollerblade with your kids.
13. Join in on your kids outside play: play basketball, tag, run around the yard, etc.
14. If your child is interested in any sports, practice with them.
15. Participate in community events as a family. Such as, a 5k, local festivals, Strutt your Mutt, etc.

Most of us don’t just bounce back to our pre-baby body right away. When you’re a single mom (or even married), it also can be extremely difficult to find the time to work out and meal plan. You may need to be much more creative now, but you can do it!

What are your struggles? How do you get your workouts in regularly?