Many moms are facing the back-to-school madness right now. Between getting your kids to and from school, as well as their various afternoon commitments, there may be little room left for you to exercise. When you are running in fifty different directions, there is never a good time to workout, but you know it must be a priority. I know you can find time for it, as long as you have the right perspective.
Instead of telling yourself, "I have only ten minutes before I have to jump in the shower and do x, y and z." You can think of it as having an extra ten minutes before you have to jump in the shower, which is just enough time to bust out a workout. Later in the day you can probably find another ten minutes to do the rest of your workout. It is better to squeeze in short workouts like this, than to do none at all. And you can definitely find effective exercises to raise your heart rate and burn calories. It is all a matter of how you perform them. If you want to get a worthwhile workout out of something as short as ten minutes, you have to pick up the pace. It doesn't take a lot of creativity. Here's a few ideas:
Interval training is an excellent idea when you are pressed for time. Some research has shown that people who perform intervals during a 20-minute cardio session often burn more calories than people who go at a moderate pace for 40 minutes. Interval training also helps keep your metabolism up long after you have finished your workout. Before performing this type of training, be sure you read about it. You need to know what you are doing in order gain maximum benefits, and you also need to have an idea of what your max is. Here's a detailed article: Mayo Clinic- Interval Training
So, say you do your cardio interval training in the morning for ten minutes. In the afternoon, maybe you squeeze in a few more minutes for some circuit training, which is pretty much resistance training mixed with cardio. Circuit training is also excellent for those pressed for time because you don't have to wait between sets, and it gets your heart pumping quickly. Here's an example: Say you plan to do dead lifts, dumbbell curls, squats, jumping jacks, and lunges. You should do each exercise (say 15 reps each, depending on your weight load) and move right to the next one with little or no rest. Then start over and keep going until you have completed your sets (usually 3 or 4 sets). Here's a great article on circuit training: Circuit Training
The best way to ensure that you do exercise is to schedule it. Write it in on your calendar just as you would any other appointment. This serves as a good reminder. I do this, and it has worked well for me. I have a magnetic weekly calendar on my fridge, which I think is the best place for it because I am forced to see it all the time. We have to eat every day, therefore we will be hitting up the fridge daily as well!
Also, try and set aside a space in your house where you can exercise. Even if you don't have a whole room for it, try and have a designated area. Maybe you have extra space in your master bedroom. Store your equipment under the bed so you have easy access. Maybe put up a bulletin board so you can pin up your favorite exercises and a few motivational photographs. Go out and treat yourself to a few fun pieces of workout gear. You don't need to go to a fancy boutique for exercise clothing. Target has a great selection. And don't forget about shoes! Those are most important. I like New Balance or Nike, but be sure to get footwear that corresponds with whatever you plan on doing, and make sure they fit properly! All of the above ideas will help you get motivated and in the right mindset.
You may be busy, but don't forget to take time for you! Not only will you be a great example to your kids, but you will feel better in so many ways.
Staying Fit During Back-to-School Madness
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