You know you need to get more exercise into your day, but the kids are making it impossible. You don’t have the money for a sitter while attending the gym, so you need to find another way of handling it. Here are six tips to get more exercise while your kids are around.
Work With Your Spouse’s Timetable
Try to work with your spouse’s timetable, if you have one. When he has the time at home, you can get to the gym. There is nothing wrong with leaving him with the kids for 60 minutes.
If you’re really worried, leave them lots of things to do. You need the time away from the kids, and he needs time with them. If you’re separated, arrange time with your ex so he gets to spend time with his kids.
Opt for Home Workouts
Make your own gym at home. You don’t need much for this, and you can make it as fun and entertaining as possible.
Get a few free weights and focus on the bodyweight exercises. When you get the chance once he’s home you can go for a run outside. You could buy your own fitness machines to do all the workouts in the house if you really want.
Invest in Fitness DVD and Games
Ever thought about the Wii Fit? This is great for home workouts. There are also Xbox fitness options, other Nintendo games and even fitness DVDs. They all let you exercise when you have the time (ie. when the kids are asleep).
The kids could even join in with you if they want, and it’s a great way to encourage them to get more exercise. This will depend on the level of fitness and room in the house though!
Go for a Jog With a Stroller
Invest in the better quality strollers and take your little one out for a run with you.
You will need to build up your stamina for this, but it’s a great way to let your little one fresh air while you get a workout. Many towns now offer sessions for new moms to join in with these stroller workouts, and accept people of all fitness levels. These groups are also great for the socialising.
Get the Kids Involved
There’s nothing wrong with getting the kids involved with your workout sessions. You could have an obstacle course for everyone to do, or have a game of tag in the garden.
Think about what you did as a kid, and just how out of breath you were afterwards. This type of exercise really does count, and it’s fun!
Look Into Gyms With Daycares
Gyms know that moms want to work out but struggle with childcare.
That’s why many now offer daycares, and usually the prices are included in the membership. The only catch is you usually need to attend the gym a certain number of times per month. Use this to your advantage and get your exercise in.
Do you go to the gym on a daily basis? You could find that having your own one at home is better. There are many benefits to creating a home gym, and you don’t need a lot of specialised equipment. In fact, you don’t need a lot of equipment at all if you focus on bodyweight exercises. Here are six reasons you should create your home gym today.
Pay Less Money
You’re paying a monthly fee to attend a gym at the moment. That may not seem too bad if you attend it every day, and there are a lot of extras included.
However, if you’re only going once or twice a week or really hate being there, you’re wasting your money. When you put the money into your home gym, it’s an investment. And you get to pay less anyway.
Have the Equipment You Use
You only need to invest into the equipment you use. Find the treadmills boring? There’s no need to get one for your home gym. Most home gyms have a few free weights and that’s all.
There are exercise machines, but you definitely don’t need to bother with them. Most exercises can be done without any special equipment, except maybe a stability ball.
Exercise Without Feeling Self-Conscious
Many women hate the gym because they hate the way people look at them. They feel self-conscious, knowing that they either need to lose the weight or tone up their muscles.
When you’re in your home gym there is nobody there to watch you. There’s no need to feel like people are judging you for using certain machines or worry about people talking about the way you look in your gym clothes.
Exercise When You Want
Like to exercise at 4am when you have to get up before work? That’s not a problem with a home gym.
Your home gym is always open to you. While there are some 24 hour gyms, not all are available and even some of them will close at weekends or for public holidays. Why should someone tell you when you can exercise?
Can Still Hire a Personal Trainer
Many worry that they can’t hire a personal trainer if they train at home. That’s definitely not the case. There are plenty of individual personal trainers around, and they will work with the equipment that you currently have at home.
Some may suggest you invest in a few other options, but they will not push you to go past your budget.
Have Your Music Turned Up
Gyms play music that the majority of people want to listen to. That’s a pain if you hate the mainstream hip hop or pop. You like rock and roll, and that’s what you want to listen to.
When you’re in your home gym, you can listen to whatever you want and at a volume that you want to. Of course, you will have to think about your neighbours before you turn the music up loud during the night.
