If you’re a mom and want to keep fit while looking after your family, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t do both. As long as you don’t run yourself down by taking on too much at once, the benefits of regular exercise will pay off big time. The fitter and more active you are in your daily life will not only help you, but will also encourage your family to follow in your footsteps.
Here is a list of the best exercises to do while juggling family life.
Weight training
As long as you don’t go too heavy with the weights, doing some weight training can keep your body nice and firm without overly working it. Light strength training can help you stay toned without pushing your body too hard. If you haven’t ever lifted before and don’t know that much about it, then just reduce the weight to the absolute minimum and don’t go for anything too strenuous. But if you have done this before, then you can consider something a little heavier. Just don’t do more than your body tells you to do because you could end up causing yourself an injury.
Walking
Walking is one of the best cardiovascular exercises, whether you do it on a treadmill from the comfort of your own home, or if you decide to go outside and explore nature. Plus it’s super easy; you don’t need to learn any new skills – you already know how to walk. Just make sure you start slowly and don’t go too far. You can always add more distance to your journey later on. Your goal is to be walking at least 30 minutes every day.
If you are walking on a treadmill, it’s a great way to use that time to also clean up your emails, work on meal planning, or catch up on a favorite show or movie.
Cycling
Riding a bike is great if you want to get a good session in but have issues with your joints, because it is one of the very few workouts that requires you to sit down, while using a lot of muscles. If you decide on doing this at home, you will want to do your research before buying a bike. Bear in mind you will be seated for a while, so you will need a very comfortable saddle that can support your weight, the same goes for choosing the right base. So have a look at how to pick the best stationary bike stand for you.
Swimming
Going for a swim can be such a relief on your body, even more so if you’re a larger girl because the water makes you weightless, so your body gets to relax as all the pressure is taken off it. Not only that though, but it’s also a whole body workout, so every muscle will be working, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Swimming is also great for the whole family. Remember the last time they spent hours at the pool and came home exhausted? That’s perfect for you because then you use that time to clean up the house, get laundry going and have little interruption as the kids take a nap!
Whatever exercises you decide on doing, make sure you enjoy it. It’s not good doing something you hate because you won’t end up sticking with up. So try a few things until you discover something you love.