Back to school after a busy summer holiday means a crazy September and we are forgetting to take care of ourselves, moms!

Routines, kid’s activities, packing lunches and snacks, figuring out what’s for dinner, homework, filling out forms, house cleaning, laundry and everything in between.

When I talk to moms about their wellness goals in September, they ALWAYS tell me, “I don’t have time to workout” or “I’m just too busy running around with my kids” that their life and goals take the back burner.

THIS.

THIS is when I call my clients out.

“I don’t have time to workout”

“I’m just too busy running around with my kids”

Time has always been an excuse for why we can’t work out, eat healthier and meet our health and wellness goals. We all have used this excuse and the more we say it, the more we actually believe it.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults (CSEP) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of greater than 10 minutes.  It also recommends strength training at least 2 days per week .

Let’s break up the 150 minutes.  This could be 5x 30 minutes in your week. Or, 2 x 1 hour fitness classes and a 30 minutes of exercising at home on your own.  Or, 7x 20 minute workout in your week with an extra 10 minutes of cardio walking up and down the stairs at work.

When I starting in the fitness industry 15 years ago, I designed programs that I thought was ideal. 1 to 1 1/2 hour programs to fit in all the bells and whistles that a program should have. Strength, cardio, core, multiple day programs, split programs etc.  What I soon realized, that if my clients were not working on a specific goal (weight lifter, marathon runner, triathelete), this type of program wasn’t necessary. What was more beneficial was designing programs that were functional and quick.  I think that we can get in a good workout in 20 to 30 minutes ( combining strength and cardio) on some days, an then the odd 1 hour workout to get in a different strength and cardio on other days.

BUT … the key to this is PLANNING. SCHEDULING. ORGANIZING.

Would you make a dentist or doctors appointment and not show up because life got busy or you were too tired to go? NOPE. So why is exercising and eating healthy any different?

Schedule in your workouts like you do for work, appointments, meet and greets, kid’s activities etc.

If this means getting up 20 minutes earlier before your children wake up or before you go to work, then you might need to suck it up and get out of your warm bed!

If this means taking your workout clothes to work and going for a run in the river valley after work on your way home, then that’s what you do.

If this means that dishes and cleaning up needs to wait after you put your children down to sleep so you can get in your workout … well … it can wait!

If this means signing up for an awesome class at Momentum Health and Wellness so you can get a great workout in and meet other moms in the community … WELL … then you better sign up!!!

I have been waking up earlier and getting in my spin workout or resistance workouts in, followed by some meditation and mindfulness so I can start my day off more calm.

 

YOU NEED TO PUT YOURSELF AND YOUR PRIORITIES FIRST. You’re family will be happier and calmer if mom if happier and feels better about herself.  Trust me!

NO more excuses! If your family or partner gives you grief and isn’t on board with the new attitude … give them my number ! I’d be more than happy to talk to them! xo

 

 

 

 

 

Momentum Health & Wellness