Finding Time To Fit In Your Workout

Lets face it, getting into shape can be hard regardless of the amount of responsibilities you have. It requires A LOT of time, consistency, and self-discipline. Periodically, I get asked how I manage to be a mom and wife and still workout routinely. Can you guess how? Yup, I make TIME for it. The day I pushed aside my other responsibilities and focused on my health, I knew I had to make time for my workouts. So today I am sharing my ways and thoughts on finding time to fit in my workouts.

:: PRIORITIZE YOURSELF

This is a lot easier said than done, but it does get easier once you make it habit. As women, we naturally put ourselves last and cater to the needs of our loved ones. That worsened for me after I had Isaiah and I am sure other moms out there can relate too. Although I worked out my entire pregnancy and was driven to do so immediately after my OBGYN cleared me, I reached a point where I was less motivated. I was adjusting to my new lifestyle as a mom and leaving my newborn baby for an hour magnified mom guilt! I had to learn my health is just as important, and if I wanted to care for my baby I needed to care for myself, routinely. In that moment, gone were the days my workouts were unnecessarily postponed.

:: CREATE A ROUTINE

Our family works best with structure, especially me. While my work schedule remains the same every day, my husbands alternates biweekly. This means working out for both of us varies by day and time. In the beginning this was frustrating and prevented me from being consistent. Finding my drift took a minute. Eventually, I began listening to my body, identifying what worked for me, and voiced my needs to my husband. Once I did, we established mornings would be my normal time to workout and the days would alternate biweekly. This was a HUGE improvements in the amount of time I wasted trying to factor in my workouts weekly.

:: INCLUDE YOUR KIDS

How many times have you heard, “I can’t because (blah blah blah) my kid(s)”? I have, and it was me. In my head I was thinking, “Gurl, again! Stop pushing it off to tomorrow, Angel”. When I think of my health, I think a lot about my childhood. I didn’t have anyone teach or show me the importance of routinely exercising. I was exposed later in life and had to learn on my own how much better my life could be if I did. Now that I know better, I do better with the intent of teaching my child. Isaiah sees me workout often and although he may not comprehend the importance now, he will as he gets older. He already tries to do push-ups and pulls out my yoga matt and attempts to stretch. I understand workouts can be more productive without a kid, however, if it’s the one opportunity you have, take it! You’re achieving several things at once: showing them your health is important, giving them attention they seek, making time to workout, and teaching your kid(s) healthy habits.

:: SWITH IT UP

I love working out, BUT sometimes I like to try other types of exercises. If you’ve been following me for a while then you know I began working out with a personal trainer, Matt. His workouts are different and effective EVERY DAY! MOST importantly, the time and money I invested has proven results I would not have reached on my own. I also LOVE taking Lacy’s (my sister) class, who teaches at Barry’s. Her classes are very challenging, fun, and quick. But when I’m done, I feel GOOD and up-to date with all the latest greatest R&B and Hip-Hop hits! HUGE GAME CHANGER! Gone are the days I waste time creating a workout routine or taking longer than 1 hour to workout.

:: HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

I learned quick that I am responsible for me, my body, and my health. I wake up most mornings at 5:30 am while everyone else is asleep so that I can get in a workout. Yes, some mornings I wake up and snooze away. But when I prep the night before and go to bed on time, I can get up with ease. If I want it, I work for it. And guess what? You can too!

I know it can be hard, but it is also doable. Once I began taking time for myself, I saw how much better life was for me and my people. I hope this post has encouraged you to take the time to fit in your workouts too!