Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Staying Fit As a Busy Parent

woman carrying baby

Even if you have a strict fitness routine, all of this can go out of the window once you become a parent. It doesn't take long for the body and fitness you've worked so hard for to slip away, and in addition to the toll it can have on your physical state, your mental state is also at risk. 

Truly dedicated fitness buffs always manage to find a way, though. However, not everyone is as in-the-know as others. So, if you've recently had kids or if you're looking to get back to your fitness routine but don't know how to juggle it with busy, buddy parenting responsibilities, here are some useful tips to consider. 

Make Use of Every Free Second

It may feel like you never have a free moment as a parent, but whenever they are eating their lunch or taking a quick nap is your chance to complete a quick workout. You don't need to run 5K, but a few sit-ups, pushups, or a set on your free weights are better than doing nothing.

If possible, you can also take advantage of the times where your kids aren't distracted. Resistance bands, hand strengtheners, and step machines are all easy to use and multitask with, whether you're playing or just watching TV together. 

Find a Gym With You in Mind

Most gyms cater to the young, single, and childless crowd. However, if you can find gyms that put a focus on affordability, such as Fitness 19, you might be able to get a quick workout completed without missing out on any precious moments in your child's life. 

The affordability means you don't need to adjust your budget too much. Furthermore, if you can get there before it gets busy, such as just before you need to pick the kids up from school or their sports clubs, you'll feel much better about staying on the healthy track, even when it feels like you can't find the time. 

Wake Up Early

One of the keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle even when you are a busy parent is to make some changes in your lifestyle. One of these changes is to wake up a little earlier and go for a run, lift some weights, or do yoga or even bodyweight exercises. 

It might be hard at first to miss out on that extra 15 or 20 minutes, but once you're up, then you will feel much better for it. Conversely, if you do find it too much of a struggle (or if you think you literally cannot get up any earlier), consider going to bed a little later. However, make sure you don't overdo it, as the rise in your heart rate could make getting to sleep difficult. 

Staying Fit

It's never as easy as it seems to stay in good shape, especially with kids. Still, as long as you know the little tricks to make it possible, you can find ways to exercise anywhere you look, and soon enough, there won't be any obstacles you cannot overcome.