How to Get Creative and Find Time to Workout

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You Can Workout! Here’s How …

I have a dream that tomorrow I will wake up at 5am, throw on some workout clothes, put my hair up, and run out the door for an hour long workout. Then I actually wake up and realize that between my two girls (6 months & 4 years), my lack of sleep, working full-time, having no energy, and trying to be the wife/mom of the year, this is just not going to happen, or at least not at the frequency I would like it to. So, I decided that if I actually intend to increase my energy and mood then I need to fit “working out” into my life, and make it enjoyable. My goal … to squeeze my workouts into my crazy life by doing them when the moment arises with what I have on hand. Now, I know there may be some of you out there that have no problem fitting workouts into your schedule, and make it a routine (I envy you!), but I know for many of us, this is just not in the cards.

In my never-ending search for the perfect at-home workout regimen to compliment my over worked, mommy-on-the-go, never-enough-time-in-the-day life, I found a few fabulous options. They allow me to workout from home, try different methods to keep things interesting, all while still watching over &/or involving my kids.

pinterest workouts

There is this genius blogger, Kristy at www.BabyFitGym.com, who is my hero! She has amazing info for any new mom, or truly any mom for that matter, as to how to work out, eat right, and even manage breastfeeding while loosing the baby weight. Even better…she has amazing YouTube videos (BabyFitGym on YouTube) on how to use your baby as a weight to have fun exercising while entertaining your little one at the same time! Find her on Facebook (@babyfitgym) and Instagram as well (@Baby-FitGym)! I cannot tell you how enthralled I am about the idea of using my baby to actually help me work out. She is the perfect 15lb. weight to help tone all those muscles that have been severely under used for months since being overly pregnant and giving birth.

Baby Fit GymI don’t know if you have ever looked at or seen workout options on Pinterest, but there are some amazing ideas for creating your own workouts … no matter where you want to workout! I mean they make it so simple it is a no-brainer! Step-by-step pictures right in the pin, and many of them don’t even require home equipment. I literally open Pinterest on my phone/ipad, click on my workout Pinterest board, click on whichever one I am in the mood for, and go for it. Once you do a few sets you easily get the hang of it, and with enough repetitions, it will become part of a routine for you. You won’t even have to go to the extent of opening up your mobile device!

You can view my favorites on my Pinterest board: Reality Work Outs

pinterest workoutsNow I know when you think of workout DVDs you probably roll your eyes, but let me tell you that workout videos have come a long way since the Jazzercise days of the 80’s. If you jump on Amazon there are a plethora of inexpensive DVDs that can offer you the perfect in home workout. If you have not already heard of the Barre workout, it is a must! It is excellent for toning every muscle in your body, even those you didn’t know you had, and one of my favorite DVDs, Core Fusion Barre Basics, splits the workouts into 10 min segments. So… if you only have 10 mins to spare, you can fit in a mini workout that you will absolutely feel the next morning, and I am not joking, will show you results in a week! If you have the time you must try the Barre workout in a studio as well. Our favorite Barre studio, Barre3, even offers childcare!

A few other DVDs to try as well: Core Fusion 30 Day Sculpt, Gaiam A.M. Yoga for Your Week,

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat Boost Metabolism

dvd workoutsProbably my favorite new workout method is through the use of apps. I love the idea of being able to workout from my phone no matter where I am: from the floor of my living room, to the park, or even in my kitchen while I cook. Tom’s Guide offers a great list of the top 10 fitness apps out there, one of which is my personal favorite…Sworkit. It is most closely aligned with the American College of Sports Medicine’s training guidelines, and offers great flexibility depending on your available time and choice of workout.  It even offers direct access to spotify playlists within the app, which you can listen to while the using the app. It literally gives you the chance to choose your type of workout, how much time you want to spend, and then breaks the workouts down into 30 second intervals. Genius! Another app that my fiends rave about if Yogaglo. With over 3,500 yoga classes available, from some of the top instructors, at time frames ranging from 5-120 minutes, it offers great flexibility to anyone wanting to workout as their schedule permits. 

app workoutI know these methods may not be for everyone, but let me just tell you…it has provided me with no excuses not to work out. I have a few favorites that I now mix and match into creating my own workout of the day. I have even started doing leg lifts while I change my daughters diapers, doing squats while carrying her around the house, and some ab workouts while playing with my girls in their rooms. I now see working out as something I don’t have to schedule in for an hour at the gym… I can squeeze it in any time of day for as little, or as long, as I can manage.

So, for those of you who are like me and want to workout, but can’t find the time, or don’t know where to begin…I say start small, make it fun, and create a habit for yourself. You are much more likely to stick to something if you find it enjoyable and can work it into a daily routine.

Let us know what you think and if these tips helped you!  Any you would recommend? We would love to hear, please comment below.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Anyone can benefit from this awesome list of suggestions. I know I desperately need to be implementing a few of these!

  2. I LOVE the sworkit app! I use it all the time. And I’m also a big fan of pinning workout ideas on Pinterest – I’ll definitely have to check out the ones on your Pinterest board, thanks for sharing!

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