We all know that exercise is good for us. There’s a new study about it every other day. This one, in particular, is actually shocking. Apparently, you’re better off being a smoker than being sedentary. Who knew? But also, what mom is looking for one more thing to add to their schedule?
Not this one. I am not athletic. At all. The coordination is just not there. Or the interest, really. Plus, I really hate doing things that make me feel incompetent, and I was pretty much picked last for every team in high school PE. So I’ve never been consistent with exercise, although I’ve certainly tried many times. However, I am proud to say that since last summer I’ve been exercising four times a week. I either do the elliptical at the gym or jog outside. And I’m hoping that my experience can help you out too. This is not the post to read if you want to start training for a marathon or relive your high school all-state days, but if you want to produce some endorphins and burn enough calories to eat a cookie or two, here are my tips for getting into it. Obviously, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
1. Don’t use up your limited free time!
Listen, as moms our free time is TIGHT. You are never going to stick to a workout routine if it’s taking away the tiny bit of time you have just for you. The point of starting to exercise is to do something good for your body and mind, so don’t replace other important self-care with it. Find a way to carve out some specific time for exercise. Join a gym with childcare. Trade sitting with your friends so you can both get a workout. Find a mom workout class, or take the kids for a stroller ride as you jog or power walk. Get everyone to go on a weekend hike (bonus points if you’re babywearing). Or, my personal favorite, feed the kids an early dinner, leave them with Dad and run to the gym, and skip the witching hour craziness!
2. Make it fun.
Moms do SO much not fun stuff. Wiping bums. Mitigating sibling arguments. Saying no for the 8 millionth time. There’s no way you’re going to keep up with a workout that’s dull. This means different things for different people. I really enjoy listening to music or podcasts, or watching TV while I exercise. I try to keep whatever show I’m binging as strictly for the gym, so I get excited to keep watching. Some people might want to work out with a friend, try different classes that sound up their alley (Zumba? Yoga? Trampolines?), or try to outdo their own best times. Or maybe join an adult sports league? I also like to mix up where I’m exercising to keep it fresh and interesting. It’s fun to run a new route. Honestly, even though it feels good, exercise has always just been boring to me. Keeping it interesting has been a great way to motivate myself.
3. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
This was a huge reason why I resisted starting exercising for so long. I am a major perfectionist. Previously, when I was on a good exercising streak, I would get so frustrated with myself and feel really guilty if I had a half-hearted workout or didn’t get in as many sessions as I’d planned that week. I was dreading feeling this way again and worried I would stop doing other things I loved to make sure I stuck to a schedule. I’ve just had to tell myself to let that go. Stuff comes up when you’re a mom. Kids get it the way of everything, and exercise is no exception. So give yourself permission to miss a day when your kids have the stomach flu, or to take extra walking breaks when you’re exhausted because they were up all night. Some exercise is better than no exercise at all.
Similarly, don’t feel like you have to be an Olympic athlete. If you are moving your body, you are exercising, and that’s the goal here. The start of my running was when I was walking the bike path with my family one day. A woman ran by us, very slowly, and something clicked in my brain. I didn’t have to run fast, I could just run. So that’s what I do. Check out this post if you need a little help working on your perfectionism.
4. Get yourself addicted.
Even though all these tips helped me, the most important thing I did was get my body so used to exercise that it seriously craves it. It reminds me to work out with the same frequency as my two-year-old asks for milk. So you might want to start with this piece of advice and work backward. And honestly, you can only do this by starting. So what’s the delay? I know you can do it.
