Back to School? That Means Back to Fitness, Mom!
Back to School? That mean back to Fitness mom!
by Shannon Patterson
Ah, summer. You and the kids have been spending precious time together, playing in the pool, lounging in the hammock, and enjoying lazy days.
Snap out of it: Summer is almost over! The kids are going to be late for school, your husband can’t find his briefcase, and the dog has to go outside before the entire household crams into your car to be chauffeured by you to their respective locations. School hasn’t even begun, and your future daily routine is already bursting with homework projects, Girl Scout meetings and soccer games. The last thing you want to think about is how to keep up with your fitness routine!
Well, throw that “I just don’t have the time” excuse out the window. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you squeeze in a little activity each day.
– Chaos burns calories. Yes, you may look a little insane running around the house with your hair wet while you chase the dog that’s eating your kid’s lunch bag, but the good news is you’re burning calories doing it!
– Drop the “all or nothing approach”. Ok, so you don’t have hours on end to spend in the gym working out, so what? You can make the most of the time you have during your day. See our ‘no gym, no workout time necessary’ list for ideas.
– Brown bag lunches aren’t just for the kids. Running errands all day? Pack yourself a healthy brown bag lunch to eat while you’re on the go. It helps fast food look less tempting and can help keep you energized.
– Create and follow a schedule. Get everyone to school on time in less of a panic, and you may also find that adhering to a specific timed routine may uncover some small pockets of ‘me time’. Go for a quick walk around the block or squeeze in some basic fitness moves like push ups and crunches. Exercise is a great energy booster, so if you can find the time, get up and get moving!
Back to school is an exciting time, so why not build upon that enthusiasm and use this time to help get back into shape? Try incorporating these small, easy tips into your daily life and you just might find yourself in summer bathing suit shape all year round.