Creative Workout Strategies for Busy Moms

Today’s guest post is courtesy of Jim.   Please leave a comment below if you currently use any of his ideas in your workout routines!

It is difficult for mothers to get in a workout routine when faced with the many challenges and chores of the daily grind. Getting workout time in is tough when you’re trying to balance school schedules, dinner plans, taking care of the dog, and keeping your kids out of trouble. Some of the tips below are great ideas to fit into the 24/7 demands of a mother.

For those mothers who have younger children there is fitness exercise that you can do alongside your child. Mommy and Me Yoga capitalizes on the hugely popular Yoga industry that is practiced the world over. This isn’t as intense or serious as many other yoga routines and is specifically designed to be flexible to a mother’s demanding schedule while be super kid-friendly. This is a countrywide program that anyone can do. Most studios have this program and even if there isn’t one near you, mothers can buy the DVD online and do the exercises with their kids in the comfort of their own home. Each session has animal yoga poses and songs built in to keep the child engaged while inserting a basic storyline for the child to follow while both the mother and child is getting their much needed exercise.

You might laugh but another great option for moms is using some of the active gaming systems out there. Microsoft currently has the Kinect and Nintendo has the highly successful Wii. Both of these systems are designed to be fun and encourage fitness and movement. By making the user an active participant, many of these games now respond to body movement that has direct effects to the onscreen avatar. These games aren’t just fun, it’s another way to keep your kids out of trouble. You can play these games with them and get your exercise while keeping them out of trouble.

If you have a dog, here’s a really creative way to keep both you and your little guy active. There is a program currently being used in Los Angeles, California to great success. This program is called Dog Boot Camp and its founder Jill Bowers, along with the assistance of her sister Jamie, has devised a program for anyone, including busy moms, to get into shape along side their dog. It takes more than some quality dog food to keep your dog in shape but it’s really tough to find the time to fit so many chores into the daily routine of it all.

Though this specific program is only available in LA, many places around the country offer similar programs that are designed to work the body and mind while having the added bonus of giving your dog some obedience training. It’s important to introduce a active and healthy lifestyle for both you and your dog. It’s a great way for busy moms who can kill two birds with one stone and get their exercise while working and training the family dog at the same time.

Nobody wants to live out of shape. It makes you feel terrible and can really get you down but sometimes you’re so tired by the end of the day that you can even see straight let alone find the energy to apply an even remotely effective workout routine. Regardless if you just want to burn a couple extra pounds or start a long-term regiment, some of these tips are ways that can fit into your schedule easily.

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