As a stay-at-home mum, you’ll understand that your days are pretty packed on a regular basis. From changing nappies and preparing meals, to nursing and running around after your little ones, it’s hard to find time for yourself let alone find time to exercise in between it all. Stay-at-home mums work just as hard as those who head out to work each day, and because of this, it can be hard to get out of the ‘no time to exercise’ trap. Luckily, there are ways to combine the two and weave workouts into your daily routine. Regular workouts are important to your wellbeing and mental clarity, so if you’re desperate for fitness but can’t seem to find time in the day to head to the gym, being creative with your time is the best way to get around the problem.
Exercise with your kids
If your kids are old enough, it can be fun for both of you to exercise together. Why not go cycling in your local park or rollerblading? Hiking makes for a really great family activity that young and old alike can enjoy, and will also keep you all in shape too. Alternatively, why not create a fitness course in your garden with push-up stations and skipping ropes for a really great activity that kids will love.
Invest in a jogging pram or a ‘child trailer’ for your bike
When you’re adding the weight of your child and a piece of equipment to your workout, you know you’re going to feel the benefits! All that added effort will result in you toning up even quicker, as well as meaning you won’t need to ask for a babysitting favour in order to do your workout. They’re relatively easy to find and not too expensive, which may work out more cost effective than some other options.
Join a gym with childcare facilities
If you would really like to join a gym in order to stay motivated and benefit from the facilities, why not join a gym with a creche or kids club? It means you can enjoy a full exercise session without worrying about your little ones, and some gyms even offer kids exercise classes which they’ll love!
Opt for parent-baby yoga classes
Yoga is a really relaxing and child-friendly exercise – many locations offer the chance for mother and baby to enjoy the benefits together with strength and stamina-building classes available. Yoga helps to reduce stress, increases flexibility and gives you yet another chance to bond with your baby.
Try an at-home exercise DVD
If you’d rather workout in the comfort of your own home, you may benefit from a DVD option. There are so many exercises available in this format, from Pilates to aerobics and even kickboxing, so why not play around with a few different types? It can be a fun and cost-effective way to mix up your routine and will mean you can fit in exercising around your daily routine.
Improvise!
If you miss a workout, don’t worry about it – sometimes it’s more about making the effort. After all, something is better than nothing. Why not head out into the garden with the baby monitor attached to your jogging bottoms while your baby is enjoying a nap for some lunges and a few minutes on the skipping rope? The most important thing is to make exercise a priority and ensure that you don’t get caught up in excuses – it’s important for your health that you make time.