How Does she...

After Mother's Day came and left and I had my day in the lime light I realized how much parents do for their kids and how hard it is to have time for yourself, including working out. I have seen a lot of parents over the years dwindle away from my field hockey team and running clubs and even at the gym because they are too busy with their kids. This makes me sad because it is possible to have your kids do all their activities and make time for you, however it can be challenging and easier to stop your activities and just focus on the kids.

"How do you find the time?" This is a question I get asked a lot. I have two young children, two dogs, a husband, house and a demanding full-time job. Yes, it can be as exhausting as it sounds. So where does working out factor into this? I used to say I work out everyday because I am selfish. However, I've decided to change this response and say its because it is a priority in my life. It has made me happier, more organized, and a better parent. Does it take work? Yes.

Here's why I "find the time." Hopefully you'll find some takeaways that you can incorporate into your daily routine and pass on to others who claim they would LOVE to workout but CAN'T but don't have time.

PLAYING SPORTS MAKES YOU A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL - I believe it's really important for your kids to see you active and involved with something outside of work and the home. It sets up the expectation that being active is part of everyday life and that you rock because you play a sport on a team and get goals! I've played field hockey my whole life and I still play year-round. My husband started playing field hockey a few years ago and my five-year old daughter just started playing on a team (yes I am a proud parent!). This has become her favourite activity because she is playing field hockey just like her parents. If team sports aren't your thing, try running, biking, or swimming. The point is to find something active you enjoy that you can do with others, including your kids.

EXERCISE MAKES YOU HAPPY....AND A BETTER PARENT - When I don't make time for myself to work out, I become moody and disgruntled. I consider working out to be MY time and I cherish it everyday. Running and lifting weights gives me time to focus on myself, feel healthy and strong and feel good about how I look. I then pass that confidence and happiness onto my kids and as an added bonus, have enough energy to keep up with them at the playground after dinner.

YOU BECOME GOOD AT GETTING YOUR SH*T TOGETHER - Over the past year, I have mastered the art of planning. I have a shared calendar that my husband and I go through before the work week begins to coordinate our schedules. We also coordinate the chores (yes, I am extremely lucky to have a supportive husband.). My husband drops off the kids at daycare/school, so that I can workout in the mornings before work. I pick up the kids on the way home, and that allows my husband to work out at lunch and stay a little later. Yes it Is it hard to get up before 6am every morning BUT realistically this is the only time that works for me - I know won't be able to manage a workout during the day. I have tried, but the gym is extremely busy and usually something at work gets in the way and I miss the class I signed up for. However, No one is booking meetings at 6am! Over time, I have learned to love going to the gym in the mornings. It's become part of my routine now (trust me, the first month was pretty tough to get used to). In the end, the groggy feeling in the morning is worth feeling awesome the rest of the day!

OK BUT WHAT IF YOU REALLY HAVE NO TIME? I admit, there are some days I am exhausted from working at night, getting up early for the gym and then having something going on with the family every evening. Those days I take advantage of "chunking up" my routine (without the chunk) I do a 30-minute weight workout in the morning, and focus on a different body part each day (back, glutes, abs, legs and arms). Then I try to squeeze in a 30-minute cardio HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) in the evenings (running, spin class or treadmill). My kids can wait 30 minutes for dinner it won't kill them (and it teaches them the virtue of patience) but the difference this 30 minutes a day will make for YOU will be astronomical. I have been splitting up my workouts into one or two 30 minute sessions a day over the last few weeks now due to an increase in spring activities and the results are the same, if not better than when I was doing my 1+ hour workouts.

Exercising every day has transformed my life for the better, but it's up to you to make it one of your top priorities. There are sacrifices. I don't go out with my friends during the week very often, and don't do a lot of window shopping. I choose to use this time to go for a run or a bike ride. When people say they don't have time, I give them sceptical look - everyone has 30 minutes a day they can workout, you just need to prioritize your time. Hopefully the above tips will help you prioritize, organize, and take that leap to make it happen! Stay fit!

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