3 Ways To Keep Yourself Motivated To Stay Fit While Looking After Your Kids

When it comes to staying fit and healthy, having young children can make it more difficult. With the lack of time and energy to spare, exercising may seem impossible.

However, looking after yourself is just as important when you have kids around as it was prior to their arrival. Here are 4 ways to keep yourself motivated while taking care of your young family:

1- Prioritize

Take time to prioritize your own needs and plan out when you can squeeze in some exercise.

Mark it down on your calendar like a regular appointment that you won’t miss. This will help build momentum throughout the week and give you something to look forward to.

Staying fit and healthy can be difficult when you’re a parent looking after kids. Kids often require a lot of your time and energy, leaving you with little left for yourself.

Fortunately, it is possible to prioritize your schedule so that you can still manage to look after both your children and yourself.

1. Start with some ‘me time’: Take ten minutes for yourself each day to relax and destress. This can be anything from a peaceful cup of tea or reading your favourite book, to meditating or going for a short walk outdoors. 
2. Time block: Try allotting specific times throughout the day to do certain activities such as exercising. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are still making time for yourself, even if it’s only a few minutes at a time.

3. Get your kids involved: Involving your children in physical activities can be great fun and also teaches them valuable lessons about taking care of themselves. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long workout, just something simple like a walk down the road or playing catch in the garden. 

4.  Make it a family affair: Get your whole family involved and make fitness a priority together! Incorporate activities that everyone can enjoy such as bike rides, a bit of swimming and sports – this way everyone has something to look forward to and it might even become a regular part of your family routine.

2 – Set Goals

Holding yourself accountable is key when it comes to staying motivated and achieving success. Keep track of your health goals so you can easily look back and feel proud of your fitness accomplishments.

Setting realistic goals for yourself is essential to living a healthy and balanced lifestyle, especially if you are looking after young children.

It can be difficult to manage all of your responsibilities as a parent, but having clear objectives will help you stay focused and motivated. 

1. Make your goals, realistic goals: When it comes to setting goals for yourself, aim high but be realistic about what you can achieve. Ask yourself how much time and energy you have available and devise an action plan that will fit into your lifestyle.
2. Be specific: Instead of saying “I want to get fit”, be specific about what that entails. For example: “I want to walk 20 minutes a day for five days a week”. This will make it easier for you to stay motivated and track your progress.
3. Make time: As a parent it can be difficult to find the time to exercise, but you can use small pockets of time to break a sweat. Take advantage of naps, or get the kids involved in fun activities that involve physical activity
4. Don’t beat yourself up: Everyone has good days and bad days – don’t let one day derail your progress. Instead, just stay focused on your long term goal and adjust your plan if you need to.
5. Look Stylish when tracking your activity levels- Why not set goals and meet them in style. This doesn’t always need to mean buying a brand new fitness watch every single year to keep up with the newest technology out there. Instead just rotate your Apple Watch band or switch up your Fitbit Straps to match up with all your favourite workout outfits. With the amazing options available you’ll always be sure to find a style that makes your trust device look amazing and keep you motivated. 

3 – Make it Fun

Find ways to make exercising enjoyable for the whole family. Going for a jog with your children or having dance competitions can be both fun and rewarding. It’s also a great way to bond together while getting in some exercise at the same time.

Exercising while looking after kids can be a tricky feat, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right attitude and a willingness to get creative, you can make fitness fun for both yourself and your children. 

1. Take it outside: Exercising in the great outdoors can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and it’s a great way to get your kids involved too! Instead of driving to the gym, try taking a walk or going for a bike ride with your children instead. Not only will this give you time to bond with your little ones, but it’s also an excellent way to get some fresh air and soak up some vitamin D.
2. Make a game out of it: Turn your workout into a family affair by incorporating fun activities like running races or playing it! You can even challenge your children to see who can do the most squats or jumps in a certain amount of time. This will not only help you burn some extra calories, but it’ll also make exercise feel like a lot less of a chore.
3. Get creative: If your children are old enough, why not get them involved by having them come up with an original workout routine? This can be a great way to get your kids excited about exercise and ensure that you’re getting the most out of every session.
4. Mix it up: Keeping your workouts fresh and exciting is key when it comes to making exercise fun. Try switching up your routine every now and then by incorporating different activities like yoga, swimming, or dancing into your fitness plan. This will help keep you motivated and on track to reach your goals.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your family.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to staying fit and motivated while looking after your kids.