By David Nutting, Fitness Coordinator/ Personal Trainer
How to Maintain Your Exercise Plan When You Have Kids
Exercise can be hard enough when you are juggling all the challenges of scheduling, but add the schedule constraints of having kids and it can feel overwhelming. So how do you keep your exercise plan going when you are dropping kids off at various events?
Here are a few suggestions:
- Create a Master Schedule
This can be a great way for your schedule to be a priority as you plan the kid’s events. There will always be things that can disrupt your workout, but when the kids see that your workout is one of the priorities on the master schedule it can help them see the big picture of a family schedule. You may need to drop children off at school at 8:00am, so have your workout clothes on and get your workout in before going back home? Even if it is only for a 30-45 minute workout. A workout time on the master schedule doesn’t have to be one hour every time. Mix in a shorter workouts on busier days by doing cardio or a quick leg workout. Workouts are cumulative, so anything you get in is better than nothing! - Prioritize Your Plan First –
It is so easy to let your kids schedule dictate your whole day. Before saying “Yes” to another event that you would carpool, see if it lines up with your schedule. Kids are part of the family unit and it is good for them to know that before you feel like your schedule is held captive by a 7 and 10 year old. You are only able to take care of them the way you need to when you are taking care of yourself. As they say on a plane when they go through the safety features, “Please put your own mask on before helping others.” - Schedule it in- If you don’t prioritize it, no one else will. As I mentioned earlier, there will always be things that can disrupt your workout, so plan in your workout first and do your best to follow through.
If you find yourself struggling with prioritizing your workout or planning around your kids, a personal trainer could be a good option to help you navigate. Another option could be having your kiddo participate in a youth program while you workout!
For more information on Personal Training and Small Group Personal Training, email David Nutting, Fitness Coordinator/ Personal Trainer.