How to Stay Motivated to Workout as a Busy Mom

I used to be fit. Not running marathons or lifting big weights or winning soccer tournaments, but before I had kids I invested in a personal trainer with my girlfriends. He was TOUGH!! We worked out of a garage space he had, and then I would go drink some beers at the brewery immediately adjacent after a hard workout. And, as the mechanics of a 26 year old body went, I looked great.

Now, at 43, I don’t look great. There’s some wiggle and jiggle, although I am not overweight. Now, my time is so limited, YET, I know that my physical fitness is more important now than it was at 26. I am turning the corner into middle age, when it becomes harder to build muscle. I wake up at 5AM every day and go to bed at 9, but oftentimes cannot figure out how to squeeze a workout in. 

And truthfully, often I just don’t want to. Time to myself is so limited at this stage in my life that I don’t necessarily want to use my free time to work out. 

I read a quote by Grant Cardone recently that struck me: “You don’t look like your goals, you look like your habits.” Guilty as charged!! This inspired me to start making some changes. Here are my top 5 tips for starting to make some positive changes in your fitness levels.

1. Find a workout program that works for you. I really like Senada Greca and her werise app. The exercises are accessible and can be adjusted depending on your equipment and physical mechanics. I budget 30 minutes 3 mornings a week, and 40-50 minutes on Saturday or Sunday. Her workouts are longer than 30 minutes, but I push myself to get through as many exercises as I can in that time frame.
2. Buy a weighted vest. When I first began researching these, I was alarmed to see some are $300 and up! I bought this one in order to see how much I would use it. Such a win!! I wear it to both of my son’s soccer practices and will walk a few laps around the field when I have time. I’m working on 20 minutes twice a week, and hope to get up to 35-40 minutes 4 times a week. Weighted vests support bone density and weight loss. I also wear it when I hike up to the ridge in the back yard- that’s a workout!!
3. Wear workout clothes to bed. Maybe you are someone who wears matching pajamas and this feels like anathema to you. I am not such a person. I will lay out my sneakers by the basement door (our workout room is in the basement) and will wear leggings and a workout top to bed (I like this one– it’s breathable and comfy!!). If I wake up halfway dressed, I am far more likely to actually workout.
4. Figure out your best workout space. One of my best friends drives to a gym to train, whereas I live in a rural area where that is not an option. My husband and I worked to purchase equipment and design a space that is functional for us. I am far more likely to pop downstairs for 30 minutes and workout than I am driving a distance to a gym. We splurged and purchased this (as we decided to forgo our gym memberships) and it has been a game changer for us.
5. Women of a certain age- begin the shift to strength training. I used to a runner (and still love a run to clear my head), but more and more science is showing up that there are numerous health benefits to focusing on lifting instead of cardio. Throw in protein and some creatine, and you’ve got yourself an anti-aging workout. 

What has worked for you in your fitness journey? Drop a line in the comments below!