Workout plan, schmirkout fan. Have you ever had one of those weeks where no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to fit in the “me time” so that you can do a workout?
Your baby isn’t sleeping during the night, your kids have been sick, perhaps it’s you or your husband that’s been sick. Or you just feel completely exhausted with no energy to do anything!
Trust me when I say this, most moms the whole world over – including me – have been there.
It seems like such a simple thing to do. Find that 20-30 mins out of your day to do a bit of your workout plan. But when you feel like this, starting the workout feels like you’re getting ready to climb Mt Everest! So then you tell yourself you’re not up to it today, and you’ll just start tomorrow.
The next question is, does tomorrow ever come?
Let me share a few tips that I have used to keep myself on track and help me overcome these challenges.
Here’s my Busy Mother Workout Plan activation tips
Enable your workout plan by dressing for success
I’m sure most of us have read articles about what to wear to interviews or to work in order for you to feel good about yourself and project a successful version of you. Well, believe it or not, dressing for your workout is just as important.
Now, don’t worry, I’m not saying you need to get out your leg warmers and fancy workout gear in order to do a successful workout or to stick to your workout plan.
It’s as simple as when you get up in the morning, put on some clothes that you feel comfortable working out in (and don’t forget that supportive bra, particularly if you’re breastfeeding!). Choose clothes that help, not hinder, you activating your workout plan and making the most of any spare time you might find during your day.
But mainly, the reason for doing this is to get your head in the game.
Get up in the morning and get yourself prepared to workout whenever a window occurs in your day.
I find that in doing this, I’m more likely to exercise in those spare moments during the day rather than sit down. Because I’ve physically prepared myself to workout which has subconsciously prepared me mentally to do it.
A workout, no matter how long, is success in my book providing I’ve given it my best. Having a workout plan to support that makes it more likely to occur.
Live in the present
Don’t worry about what you did or didn’t do yesterday. Live for the now.
Sometimes we beat ourselves up for not working out to the point where we then ask ourselves “why am I even bothering?”. You then almost give yourself permission to stop working out.
On the other hand, when we have worked out the previous day, we might tell ourselves “I worked out yesterday so I don’t need to do anything towards my workout plan today”.
Bottom line is forget about what happened yesterday and live for the now and move your booty!
Whether it’s a 5 minute quickie core workout, a stretch video, a yoga video, one of your workout videos or some cardio – just do something. Pick something on your workout plan and get moving.
Continue to create healthy habits where exercise just becomes your way of life and something you do each day without even thinking about it – like breathing!
Reward yourself
Life as a mom is hectic and there’s always something to do. There’s dinner to cook, washing to hang out, bathrooms to clean, bedrooms to tidy, clothes to fold and cuddles to give. It’s a really big deal when you manage to fit a workout into your day, no matter how long or short it actually is.
On the days you do cross something off your workout plan, do a happy dance and reward yourself. The reward might be a small indulgence to begin with, like just buying a magazine. You can make it something more significant with the more you achieve such as when you regularly workout for a month you might reward yourself with a massage.
The point is acknowledge your hard work and make another positive connection with working out (aside from how great it makes you feel!)
The final word on your workout plan (and plans to work out!)
There’s no exact science to how you’re going to fit a workout into your day. These are just a few of the things that I find helpful. If you’ve got any tips, how about jumping onto our community and sharing them with us and other mothers in the BBB community?
My final tip… Do more than dream about getting fit and healthy – work hard and just do it!
