5 Ways To Stay Active as a Busy Mom

You are looking for some ways to stay active as a busy mom, and I am so proud of you! You are taking such an amazing first step to become a more active mama, and you will not ever regret that choice!

Let’s face it- being a mom is really hard. It’s not easy. No matter if you have one child or five like me, it’s difficult to find the time to take care of YOU. Which means it is difficult to stay active as a busy mom.

And taking care of yourself means being active!

So, How Do Busy Moms Stay Active?

This is the million-dollar question! How in the world do moms stay active while being so busy? The truth is that we are so busy being active with our kids that it’s so challenging when it comes time to be active with our bodies.

There really is no magical answer that will help you become more active. The answer lies within you, your family, and what works for you. How can YOU stay active as a busy mom? Here is a checklist of questions you can ask yourself to dig a little bit deeper.

  1. What is my main goal when it comes to being active?
  2. When is the best time to spend time being active with my body?
  3. How can I make that happen?
  4. How can I stay consistent?

Once you answer these questions, you can get a pretty good picture of what you need to work on. Setting the goal, timing it, making it happen, and making sure you keep going!

That is going to be the key to you help you stay active as a busy mom.

Here Are 5 Simple Ways To Stay Active as a Busy Mom

These are really great ways to push yourself, even if you are just starting out. The great thing about these ways is, they are simple, time-efficient, and they can most definitely work into your busy schedule!

1. Take a Walk

Taking a walk is one of the best ways to stay active. Of course, depending on your day, it can be hard to step out of the door sometimes. For me, if I want to go on a walk, I have to take all five kids with me.

My only other option is walking on my lunch breaks or when they are asleep, and my husband can be at home.

Walking is a great way to stay active and work those leg muscles! The best thing about walking is you don’t need any tutorials. You can just start and do it. There’s no guide, no “how-to” video. It is something you can do right now with no excuses!

2. Exercise at Home

This is my favorite. I am all for convenience, and if I don’t have to leave my house?! Yes, please. Sign me right up.

There are endless exercises that you can do right from the comfort of your own home. However, if you are looking for a good start, I suggest the following:

For iPhone users: Apple Plus is really incredible. At first, I’m not going to lie; I wasn’t sure how I would like it. However, the exercises on there are amazing, and there is something on there for EVERYONE.

Yes, even me, who didn’t start working out until I was in my 30s.

So, if you happen to have that, definitely utilize it! And no, you do not NEED anything else (as far as mats, dumbells, etc. goes), but you may want to invest in them at some point if you don’t have them. But I’ve been a rebel and done it without it plenty of times.

My point is…just start.

Apple fitness or no apple fitness, START TODAY!

3. Stretch

When you are short on time, stretching is a great thing to do. Normally stretching is supposed to be preparation for a workout, but sometimes, all you have time for is a stretch, which is okay.

Stretch your legs and arms, and move your body! Try to put those stretches into a daily routine!

Here are some great stretches to get you started:

Arm Stretches

Leg Stretches

4. Do Those Squats

Oh, squats. I love to hate squats. Squats is that exercise for me that I fear I am always messing up and doing it wrong. And when I look in the mirror, I feel like I look crazy.

However, I realize how great squats are, how firm they make you, and how strong they make your legs!

Squats are so beneficial to being active, and you can even be creative when you are doing squats! Here are a few examples of how you can add a few squats to your day:

  1. Squat a few times before or after going to the bathroom
  2. Squat while you are brushing your teeth

Just to name a few!

Obviously, those examples are both in the bathroom, so maybe a good idea is to do ten squats every time you go into the bathroom!

5. Go to the Gym

Let’s be honest. This is my least favorite way to stay active as a busy mom. Let’s face it, I don’t want to drag five kids to the gym, especially when they are younger. Older kids, absolutely, because they are going to (hopefully) be joining me!

However, going to the gym is not every mom’s cup of tea. For example…

It’s not feasible for me to go to the gym before or after work.

It’s not really feasible for me to go during the weekend, either.

However, if you are one of those moms that love to get out, maybe the gym is for you! There are a few benefits to going to the gym, too!

  1. Staying active by leaving your home.
  2. Potentially meeting a new mom friend.
  3. Potentially inviting a mom friend to make it a group effort.
  4. Taking time out for yourself in a healthy environment.

And so many more!

I do love going to the gym when I go (which is not very often at ALL), and it can create some fun memories if you bring the kids. Some facilities like the YMCA also have child care hours, so it would not hurt to call ahead and find out and make a plan!

So as you can see, there are many ways to stay active as a busy mom. The key is setting your goal, taking action, and sticking to it. Stay consistent!

Nothing will change unless you do.

You have the power to make that change. You are loved, you are capable, and you are strong! Never forget that, mama!

This post originally appeared on A Dime Saved

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