As a working mom and a blogger, I feel like I have no time. In reality there are tons of tiny pockets of time I can squeeze things into. In fact I do a lot of my blogging in those tiny pockets of time.
(By blogging, I also mean checking my social media, responding to comments, and just jotting down quick ideas for a new post.) So I’ve decided to use a few more of those tiny pockets of time and start doing more exercise.
Here are a few ways I fit more exercise into my busy mom life:
Move more
If, like me, you need some motivation to just get moving more in your day, put on some music and dance around while you’re doing less fun things like loading the dishwasher or folding laundry. Just upping your amount of movement burns extra calories.
I’ve convinced myself that singing along at the top of my voice must burn extra calories as well – for when I’m doing some other chores (like sweeping) that aren’t so great to add dancing to.
Join a class
I’ve been taking an adult ballet class for a little over a year now. I love it, and if I don’t show up, I tend to hear about it the next time I’m at the dance studio (Kingston School of Dance) for one of my girls dance lessons. I’ve also Facebook friend-ed some of the regular ladies who attend, so there’s that camaraderie and the push to show up, so I don’t get people asking me if I’m okay!
This also doubles as some kid-free “me time” where I socialize with other adult outside of my own home. I feel like this is the single best thing I’ve decided to do for myself since my kids were born. Well, that and maybe blogging.
Walk and take the stairs
I know this is self-explanatory, but just walk more. When I’m home without the kids and the weather is okay I try to take at least a half-hour walk.
It’s not a lot, as I only fit in one walk a week in the spring/summer/fall. I wuss out in the winter because: the sidewalks are terrible; the wind is too cold; it’s snowing/blowing/cold; or any other winter weather-related excuse. But to make up for that in the winter, I park my car far from the door of whatever store I’ve had to venture out to. It just adds a few minutes of walking (if it’s a big parking lot) but it all adds up over the day. (Bonus – I’m far away from other cars in a potentially slippery parking lot!)
I’m also a big advocate of ‘take the stairs’! Unless you’re carrying something heavy, or you’re going up 5 or more floors, take those stairs.
Do some strength training in those tiny spare moments
When my kids are in the bath, I take a break from folding laundry and do some crunches or a plank.
Just this winter, I decided I needed to learn how to do a proper push-up. We’re going south on March Break and I’d like my arms to be a bit more toned. My dance classes are working on my legs, but they’re not as great for my arms.
I try to do at least one set of 5 modified push-ups – you know, the ones where you’re on your knees because you’re too weak to lift your whole body – every 2 or 3 days. I’m up to 7 push-ups at one go now, and I feel like I’ve got a handle on how to do them properly. Some day I hope to get to the proper from-the-feet kind of push ups. But I’m not holding my breath…
Tell others you’re trying to fit more exercise into your life
This Christmas, I got some really thoughtful gifts from my family. A waist belt that will fit my phone, some keys and money for when I go for my walks, and a muscle roller for those weeks where ballet class works me just a little too hard. I would never have received these useful items if others didn’t know I’m trying to get more exercise in my life!
Plus, you never know who out there is looking for a walking buddy, or who has other great tips and ideas to help you get your exercise on. So share your goals – that also keeps you motivated!
So there you have it – a few things I do in my life to help me with my life goal of doing more exercise.
Let me know if you use any of these tips in your life. Or if you have any ‘squeeze in some exercise’ tips for me to try, please share them!
~Jess
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