For busy moms, back-to-school season is an opportunity to start a new routine.
As the kids navigate new classrooms, friends and experiences, busy moms have the opportunity to recommit to their health and wellness. But after weeks of managing summer schedules, lounging by the pool and summer treats, kick-starting a new fitness routine may seem daunting.
Luckily, we have seven fitness tips for busy moms to help kick-start your fall fitness routine.
1. Write Down Your Goals
Getting started is arguably the hardest part of beginning a new workout routine. After all, habits and routines are ingrained in our lives. To help cement your new routine, write your goals down and post them in a common area (e.g., your home refrigerator).
Studies suggest that you have a greater chance of hitting your goals if you write them down along with specific, relevant action items. They also indicate that you’re more likely to be successful if you share your goals with a friend!
2. Squeeze in ‘Sneaky Activities’
Not all exercise has to involve sweating at the gym for hours on end. Often, a few small tweaks to introduce more calorie-burning activities throughout the day can make a big difference over time!
For example, rather than waiting in the carpool line to drop the kids off at school, park a few blocks away and walk there together! Or, if you have a little one who hasn’t started walking, consider investing in a run-friendly stroller to take them for a brisk jog while the siblings are at school. These additions may seem minor, but the extra daily calories you’ll torch will quickly add up.
3. Test Drive a New Gym or Class
Has it been a while since you switched up your workout routine? Sign up for a new gym or workout class to add a dose of excitement into your fall fitness plan!
Many full-service gyms and boutique fitness studios offer free classes or trial memberships. You can also use mobile apps, like ClassPass, that allow you to try a variety of workout classes in your area using a points-based system! Just be sure the class times align with your kids’ new fall schedules.
4. Enjoy Your Exercise of Choice
If you hate running, there’s no point in torturing yourself on the treadmill. After all, an exercise routine isn’t sustainable if you don’t enjoy it! Instead, select a type of workout that aligns with your personality to set yourself up for success!
For instance, former dancers often enjoy Pure Barre, a popular ballet-inspired workout class. Conversely, people with team sports backgrounds usually enjoy the high-intensity workouts and motivational community found at CrossFit® gyms. Bottom line – you’ll be more likely to be successful if you love the process. So, choose wisely.
For a more thorough breakdown of fitness classes you have to choose from, check out this article!
5. Bring the Gym Home
With so many schedules to manage during the school season, it can be hard to find time for yourself. If going to the gym is out of the question, bring it home with you!
These days, there’s a wide variety of at-home workout apps and virtual fitness equipment that make life easier for busy moms. From yoga and Pilates, to indoor cycling and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, they offer training plans for various practices. So, consider investing in at-home equipment to make your workouts more convenient this back-to-school season!
6. Don’t Feel Guilty
Life happens, and there are going to be days where your new-found fitness routine gets interrupted. Field trips, sick children, sports tournaments and after-school tutoring are just a few of the circumstances busy moms can run into during the school year.
With so many potential setbacks, it’s unrealistic to expect that you’ll be able to make time for every workout. So, when life happens and you miss a session, cut yourself some slack! One day will not make or break your results. Just be sure that you’re prepared to hit the ground running when the dust settles.
7. Take Advice from Science-Based Resources
In recent years, the fitness culture has taken the internet by storm. From Instagram influencers sharing daily workout videos to exclusive Facebook groups where people share ideas, there’s no shortage of “advice” out there. But plenty of it is based on conjecture, not facts.
But you’re a busy bee. So, constantly fact-checking your sources is not ideal. Fortunately, Underscore fact checks every piece of advice for responsibility and accuracy! Head to our homepage for expert-advised fitness tips, healthy lifestyle articles and dietitian-approved nutrition advice for busy moms.
