Summer marks the start of many fun family adventures; BBQ's, vacations, outdoor activities, and of course, the end of the school year for children!
For many working parents, especially busy Moms, the end of the year brings more freedom but also the dilemma of, "How am I going to exercise now that my kids are home all summer?" To help you get started, I have a few tips that have worked well for me & other clients:
- Start with a schedule. Plan your exercise sessions just like you'd plan a dentist or doctor appointment. Schedule them into your daily/weekly calendar - and then stick to them whenever possible!
- Take your kids along for the ride! Did you know that childhood obesity is the number one health issue for our children's generation? Why not incorporate a little playful movement into their day, and get your daily dose at the same time? Going for a run? Have your kids ride alongside on their bikes! Sign up for a Family 5k and train together toward that goal. Daily walks after dinner are a nice way to squeeze in family time and exercise all at once! Or just playing recess type games in the yard (think tag, kickball, frisbee, croquet, etc) can be a fun way to get the family moving together.
- Early Bird Gets the Worm! Chances are your kids are planning to sleep in a bit over their break. Set your alarm a little earlier so you're up before them & sneak in a quick workout!
- 10/10/10 Rule. When all else fails, fall back on this rule. 10 minute bouts of exercise, 3x in a day = 30 minutes that day! Walk the stairs at home during nap time, do calisthenics watching your favorite movie together, take a 10 minute walk while waiting for summer camp dismissal...there are lots of creative ways to work in 10 minutes of exercise throughout your day - it all adds up to a healthier you!
- Take advantage of your local parks. Exercising outside can be a great way to change up your routine & see new results! Take your kids to the park - while they play, you can run stairs, walk loops around the park, use the playground equipment as an obstacle course (race your kids, I dare you!), and even get an awesome ab workout laying in the sunshine on the grass.
- Vacation? Bring your resistance tubes in your suitcase (they weigh almost nothing!) and/or check out classes at your resort, hotel, or community gym. Many hotels even rent workout attire if you forget yours and often have great walking maps of the city where you're staying. Plan a family hike or bike ride tour on the trip. How about calisthenics and 'bootcamp' on the beach? No equipment necessary! There are many ways to be active regardless of location!
The bottom line is that a little creativity and planning goes a long way to ensure your workouts don't suffer over the summer break. Sticking with your exercise routine will not only keep you looking great, but you'll feel healthier all summer long!
Happy Summer!
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