Maybe you have a great fitness routine. You are really good at getting your weights or cardio in each day. Maybe you struggle to find any extra time for a workout and are needing that extra sleep in the morning.
Either way, these tips will help you be fit and close those rings on your apple watch.
I started these sneaky tips when I was pregnant with Baker, in 2016. I loved being active in my pregnancy, but I was SO TIRED all the time. I needed to find ways to move my body that didn’t include waking up at 5am. I knew being active was healthy for me and my baby. I worked full time and had a toddler to take care of at home, so a “set workout” was not going to work for me. This is when I started these five things that helped me stay active and still do to this day.
Five Ways to Sneak in Fitness
- Habit stack your bathroom breaks.
- Pick an exercise for the day (squats, punches, high knee marches, standing butt kicks, jumping jacks, lunges… you get the idea)
- Each time you use the bathroom, do one minute of this exercise. The average person uses the bathroom 7-10 times per day. BOOM! That is 10 minutes of movement!
- Park far away.
- I know this is an oldie- but it is a goodie! Be sure to pick the pace up as you walk to and from each day. BOOM!
- Walk while you wait.
- Do you have to drop your kid off at practice and wait around? Instead of sitting in your car scrolling through your phone, take a walk around the ball fields while listening to your favorite podcast OR ask another mom that is waiting to walk with you. It is so nice to connect with other moms in a similar stage of life.
- Check out these Bala Bangles wrist/ankle weights that can take your walk up a notch, plus they are so cute and come in so many fun colors.
- Be sure to wear your reflective vest if you are walking in the dark. Nobody will miss you wearing this baby, plus it is so easy to fold up and store in your purse or glove box. The adjustable straps makes it easy to wear over heavier coats.
- Lastly, this SpiBelt, running belt, is my favorite for walking. It is very light and the stretchy and adjustable band makes it very comfortable and easy to share with your spouse.
- Quickies.
- Ha! It is not what you are thinking? Even though that may be a way to squeeze in fitness, too. I am talking about squeezing in a short 5-10 minute high intensity workout. Keep it simple.
- Play Time
- Play with your kids. Scoop them up and do some lunges or squats and let the endless giggles be your motivation to do a few more.
- Turn up the tunes. Get your kids off their devices and have a dance party for a song or two. I like to have each kid pick their own song. So three kids= 3 songs of solid dancing.
- Your kids will think you are the coolest mom, and you will feel accomplished doing two things at once!
Most Important Thing to Remember
A happy mom is the best mom. Exercise and movement are great ways to increase endorphins, but never forget… You are so important to your family. Your family wants a healthy and happy momma. They don’t need a mom with a six-pack or a thigh gap. Remember, you were made in the image of God. You created/ are caring for tiny humans. You are already amazing and dearly loved.
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Dear Lord- Please cover this mother with the endurance that is needed to parent her babies. Bless her with health, energy, and grace for herself. Lord, let her feel your love and anointment to be the mother you made her to be. Please keep her in your will. Amen.