Working Out for the Busy Mama!

Today's blog post comes from Justine over at www.healthymama.net

You can also follow her on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/isahealthymama

Thanks Justine!

There are two huge challenges in getting fit and healthy, coincidentally the two you HAVE to master. Eating right and exercising. Personally, I think your diet plays a bigger role than your workout routine, although, together the two can do amazing things. You may not know where to begin with either right now, and it's important to make a commitment, and understand your commitment before you jump off the unhealthy cliff into the scary waves of this new healthy life style. Just as I think exercising is easier than eating right, I think that working out can, and should encourage you to make healthier decisions. Let's look at is a a stepping stone. In my blog I talk a lot about baby steps (and every time I think "baby steps" I think of the movie "What about Bob", but it is a good point, Bob has a very hard time, and baby steps help him to move forward instead of being stuck). One small change will lead to bigger changes. A lot of people tend to jump right in on January 1st, they are going to lose (insert number here) pounds this year and they are going to go to the gym every day! Most people don't, and it's not because they don't want it, it's because their goal is not rational. I know the excitement of a making an awesome goal and going all out for it! I want to encourage you to truly understand your goal, and be realistic. Also, understand your needs. For a lot of people once they lose that weight (by dieting and cardio) they are still not happy because they are not toned. This is where you want to get to know the benefits of particular types of exercise, and come to terms with your new life style. No more dieting, you are not just eating healthy, and smaller portions for the next month, you will eat this way for the rest of your LONG life. It's time to get educated!

First asses your schedule. I know all about being too busy to work out. My schedule is crazy, and I had to move things around in order to ensure I got a decent workout in. First of all, I chose to workout 5 days a week for an hour, maybe not a consecutive hour, because that was not always an option, but I figured I could do 30 minutes of core work, usually yoga or pilates, and then I would run 3 miles, which was taking me about 30 minutes until recently. I also made the commitment to walk every day, usually that means walking to the park or the pet store with the kids, this way we are all getting out and spending time together. The first 30 minutes was some random time in my day, some days it was in the morning, other days the afternoon, Since I have 3 kids, it's difficult to say when I will have time. My fiance gets home at 5, so I decided to go running when he got home.

More recently I have taken more control of my exercise routine. I committed to a very rigorous program which can be 1 or 2 hours a day. I would love to have 2 hours per day to workout, but in reality, it won't happen. Not often anyway. Between play dates, picking the kids up from school, snacks, meals, dishes, vacuuming, laundry, you name it, just finding time for that ONE hour is tough! If it were up to my kids, I would not have time for anything, not even chewing my food! Recently I have noticed that after school the kids need some down time, I have been trying to take advantage of that, and this is where your commitment really needs to come into play. I would rather get the house situated before my workout because otherwise I am stuck with this list of things I have to do running through my head my entire workout and I can't focus. It's easier for me to take care of chores first. For some of you, though, you would rather get your workout out of the way in the morning. I see benefits of both. For others, of course it's easier to workout in the evenings, after dad gets home, or at the gym! 

We are all gonna have different schedules. The important part is to make the commitment and find the time. You may not be able to workout for the same amount  of time, or even at the same time every day.  There are tricks and tips, though for us busy mamas. You do not need a gym, a yoga mat, weights or a treadmill! You don't even need a workout video! All you need is a plan, and a half hour, even 10 minute increments will help!! There are countless routines out there, thanks to the power of google. Usually they include jumping jacks, mountain climbers, planks, push ups and squats. You usually do each exercise for about a minute before moving to the next one. You can also incorporate your workouts into your chores! I do! You can do ballet style leg calf and butt exercises while doing the dishes, you can stop in between chores and do a minute of push ups, or jumping jacks or whichever ones you want! You can always make time to better yourself, it may not be easy, I am exhausted by 8 pm, but, still, the only workout I have ever regretted was the one I did not do.