7 Tips To Get That Workout Done

Between work life, home life, and everything in between there never seems to be enough hours in the 24 hours we’ve got each day. At least not if we also expect a little sleep in there too. We do what we’re supposed to do and prioritize the list. Whether you work at a place or you work as a stay at home parent, that’s obviously number 1.

I’m not counting family on the To Do List at all since that’s a given so don’t panic that The Kid isn’t a priority. 😉 Numbers 2 and 3 are probably sleeping and eating. 4 is bill paying. 5 is taking a shower and brushing teeth. Just kidding, but some days it seems like that. The last couple weeks at work have been IN.sane insane. Not just regular insane.

I completely get that fitness is so far down on your list that it doesn’t make the cut. I’ve planned workouts, then re-planned workouts, then traded a rest day for a workout. But I’ve worked out. In the last 2 years, I’ve missed one workout total that wasn’t a planned rest day.

One. And I workout 6 days a week. It can be done. I’ve even squeezed in a quick interval workout with a smile in a parking lot waiting for The Kid to finish a band lesson. (Ignore the stares you’ll get. Or shout an invitation to join you!) The trick is to find what works for you and do it. Here are some tips:

1. Think short workouts, not long. You’re more likely to fit in 10 to 15 minutes here and there than you are 60 to 90 minutes.  That’s OK if you work with the time you’ve got.  Pick a body part or workout type and focus on that. Do a 15 minute ab workout or legs or arms. I’ve got short and sweet workouts in the Monthly Challenge. Do 15 minutes of HIIT. One in the morning and one in the evening and you’ve done your resistance and cardio for the day.
2. Focus on home workouts. There are days when I know if I don’t roll out of bed and hit the garage for a workout, it won’t get done. There are days when I feel guilty about going to the gym when The Kid is watching TV alone. It’s huge for me to be able to do jump rope intervals or bodyweight cardio in the living room while chatting with her. I even have her participate by timing me some days. Plus there is no travel time to get to your living room. Unless of course you live in a mansion. If you do, I’m coming to visit.
3. Find a gym with cool childcare. Some gyms have seriously awesome childcare available while you workout. My old gym had kid-type workouts to encourage fitness. I’ve seen some with major play tubes and jungle gyms. Crafts and music. No lie. If this is an option, find one that works for you and your kids might end up loving it and begging to go there.
4. Work fitness into your life. Mommy and Me fitness and stroller classes are everywhere. You’ll get baby time and a workout. Meet friends for a walk instead of coffee, or play with your spouse and kids in the park. If your kids are in sports, practice with them in the backyard. Kick that soccer ball with them. Just be prepared for them to laugh at your skills. Be a little creative and you’ll come up with lots of ways to be active here and there.
5. Set small goals along with the large goals. Keep yourself motivated, but don’t set the bar too high.  Don’t set a goal to work out for an hour every day right off the bat if you haven’t worked out in ages. You’ll just set yourself up for failure.  Try a goal of 15 minutes in the morning and 15 in the evening for the first week, and up the ante each week. Create a pattern of consistency with little goals and build up to bigger ones.
6. Create accountability for yourself. By being accountable, you’re more likely to stay consistent.  Pick a goal and tell someone.  It could be a friend, co-workers, or on Facebook or Twitter.  Come over to my page and post your goal, and then post how you’re doing with it. The more people you tell, the more you’ll feel obligated to follow through. Sometimes even just to prove to the naysayers that they’re wrong and you can do it.
7. Use rewards to your advantage. Treat yourself to something if you meet a goal. It doesn’t have to cost anything. Maybe it’s just 15 minutes of time in the tub. Pick a book you’d like to read and don’t buy it until goal reached, get a manicure, get new workout shirt.  Create little rewards and use those goals to earn them.

That’s just a few ideas for fitting in a workout and encouraging yourself. What are some of your other ideas? What do you struggle with and need ideas for help?