Mom, Making Health Fit Into Your Schedule

Schedule With Your Husband/S.O.

My husband wants me to stay fit. He told me before we got married that he never wanted me to “give up.” My reply was that I would need the time to stay fit. To this day we actually discuss and schedule our workouts around our lives and our children’s activities.

Usually he works out in the morning, and I drop the kids off at school. I work out after work, and he picks them up from school. One of us is always with our boys. This also helps take away any feelings of guilt for not being with the kids because one of us always is. They need time with Dad anyway.

Work Out With Your Children

Working out does not mean you have to pump iron, even though that is my preference. It can be riding bikes or taking a walk to the park with your children and then playing for 30 minutes there. Go ahead…act like your children. That’s exercise.

The thing your children truly want is your time. When you have to put work down to spend quality time with them, make it count. Make the quality time cover many important facets of life. Working out with them gives them a unique interaction with you that they want and sets the stage for the way they interact with their children in the future. It shows them that working out is valued in your home and so is health.

Some evenings my children and I play monster hide (a game named by my children). I run away from them and hide somewhere in the house. They seek me out. When they find me I shout and chase them down acting like a monster. I tickle them when I catch them and then run off to hide again.

READ Parenting Advice: How to Spend Quality Time With your Kids

I’m here to testify that I really get some crazy interval cardio during this time. I get winded. They waste no time finding me. My 4 and 6-year-old claim that it’s what I do best in life. Plus, we are exercising and bonding.

Link Up With A Mom’s Fitness Group

Look around in your neighborhood for mom fitness groups. There is one in my area called Fit Moms and Fit Moms-to-Be which was founded by one of my awesome, fit friends, Andrea Cabanas.

When speaking about the group, Cabanas said,

“We support each other by motivating each other to work out and eat healthy. Moms share workout tips and videos, healthy recipes, and fitness goals.  We also have step challenges and weight loss challenges.”

All events they host are mom and baby/kid friendly. The goal is to create a great environment for fitness for mothers, which they do! I have participated in a 5K that the group hosted. It was great to see moms pushing strollers and little kids participating with their moms. Fit Moms has built a great support system for fitness enthusiast moms.

READ Activities for Kids that do not Include Computers, Computer Games, or TV

Cabanas says,

“Having a baby changes everything, especially how we prioritize our time, including time spent working out and time spent preparing healthy meals.  It is great to have a support system of moms who value health and fitness.  A local fitness group like "Fit Moms & Mom-to-Be" gives new and experienced mothers the opportunity to find workout and runner partners as well as make friends with mothers who also value health and fitness.”

Find Fit Moms and Fit Moms-to-Be on Facebook or on Instagram @fitmomsmomstobe to connect with this group.

Conclusion

The habits you have now will not only help you to live a long, healthy life, they will also help your children to have the same. Part of setting your children up for success is teaching them basic self care and wellness. You are the single greatest influence on their habits, so set the stage for success for yourself and for them!