As moms we take on a lot. Sometimes we may take on too much, but we’ll still probably try to convince ourselves that we can do it all.
Maybe we can, maybe we can’t.
And as moms, we also tend to put our own health and wellness needs on the backburner. Even though we should know by now, that if we want to properly handle everything else; we really shouldn’t neglect our health.
I say this because I’ve done it often. I start the year with all intention of making my health and wellness more of a priority. And maybe I’ll do okay until March or April. Then by June, I’ve fallen off the fitness wagon.
And then, of course, I’ll wonder why I’m not losing those stubborn pounds or why I still feel slightly out of breath.
Because of these bad habits, and in an attempt to break free from this cycle, I wanted to share a few health and fitness tips for busy moms. Hopefully they’ll help you too.
This post does make use of affiliate links but you are under no obligation to make a purchase.
When you’re busy balancing work, kids, and home life in general, you might feel that there’s not enough time in the day for health and fitness.
The word “exercise” just doesn’t seem to fit into your vocabulary. But there’s good news. With just a little daily commitment, you can achieve good health and fitness in no time without adding stress to your already busy schedule.
Start with Slow Exercise and Build Strength
Get started with slow, easy exercises that you can handle.
Do about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise or activity each day or at least several times per week.
Start with less strenuous activities and then work your way up to more strenuous exercises as you build muscle strength. This will improve your fitness and health without putting too much strain on your body, especially if you’ve been inactive for a while.
Some examples of low fitness activities you might try include walking, playing outdoor games with your kids (ball, tag, volleyball, badminton, flying a kite, etc.), walking the dog, mowing the lawn or gardening, housework, walking stairs, or riding a bike. For me, Yoga has been a great addition to my fitness routine.
When you want to have fun with your kids, opt for the park instead of the ice cream shop. Be mindful of physical activity in everything you do. This will help your kids get exercise as well without feeling pressured about it. Getting your family involved could also help to keep you motivated and on track.
If you work outside the home, you can take walks during your breaks. Even a daily 15-minute walk can make a big difference!
Increasing Activity
As your body grows stronger, you might choose to add some aerobic exercise to your daily routine. Do this slowly and increase the intensity and time of your aerobic activity in short increments so you won’t overdo it. Aerobic exercise helps you burn more calories and improve heart health.
Some examples of aerobic fitness activities include fast walking or jogging, cycling, dancing, swimming, skating, skiing, step aerobics, or racket sports. You can also enroll in an aerobics class if you feel you’re ready to commit to it several times per week. Or, there are DVDs that teach you to do aerobic workouts at home.
Another way to increase fitness activity is to invest in exercise equipment such as a treadmill, fitness band, yoga mat, ab wheel, workout weights, row machine, or stationary bike. These allow you to workout in the comfort of your own home with the same results as outdoor fitness activities.
One of my personal favorites, is a mini-trampoline.
Pamper Your Muscles
Be sure to pamper your muscles a little before and after workouts.
Do stretches before working out and then “cool down” afterwards to allow your muscles to relax. Also, take soothing baths after a workout or in the evening before bedtime to help your muscles and body to relax. This will make workouts more enjoyable and give you something to look forward to each day.
Supplement Your Diet for Better Fitness and Health
To enhance your fitness efforts, supplement your diet with nutritious items such as protein and amino acids or other vitamins and minerals.
There are nutritional shakes, protein shakes, vitamin supplement pills, nutrition bars, and other items to enhance your diet as you increase your fitness activity. These will also enhance your overall health.
Look for vitamins that are specifically designed for women.
As a busy mom, don’t neglect one of the most important tasks of all – taking care of your own health. With good health and fitness, you’ll be able to keep up with your kids and share activities with them like never before!
Kori
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