8 Ways to Find Your Exercise Routine as a Parent

As a parent, your life changes in ways you could never have anticipated. Your time is no longer your own; it must be scheduled and optimised to fit around the needs of your children. So how do you find time for exercise as a parent? It might seem impossible at first, but there are lots of ways to make it work. Working out doesn’t just keep you healthy and happy – it also helps to reduce stress, increase productivity, and even lower the risk of disease. But as a parent, fitting regular workouts into your schedule can be tricky. After all, once you factor in school drop-off, pick-up times; afterschool activities; errands; and household chores – there aren’t very many hours left in the day. Even if you manage to get home before dark most days, finding enough hours to squeeze in a workout can feel like an impossible task.

Make exercise a priority

Exercise isn’t something you can squeeze in at the end of a busy day; it is something you must prioritise. The health benefits you’ll gain from regular exercise far outweigh the time and effort you put in. Working out will help you to feel less stressed, healthier, and happier, so it’s important to find a regular routine that you can stick to. Finding time for exercise isn’t just about scheduling a couple of weekly workouts. You will need to factor in travel time, changing clothes, showering, and re-organising your day around your new routine. Whilst you will inevitably end up with some bad days where you just don’t fit in a workout – you should strive to fit in your workouts as often as possible.

Set up a routine

You’re more likely to stay motivated and on track if you have a schedule to work with. If you know what days and times you’ll work out, you’ll be less likely to skip a workout. Whilst you should always be open to trying new things, it makes sense to choose a routine that fits your needs. Working out first thing in the morning is great for some people, but it is not for everyone. If your child is still in diapers, you’ll want to find a time in the evening when they are asleep, or a time that they are at daycare. Working out after work is great but make be aware you’ll be more likely to skip a workout if you have a late meeting.

Reward yourself

Exercise is great for your health, and it helps you to maintain a healthy weight, but it takes time to see results. If you are trying to lose weight with exercise, you might need to be patient and wait for your body to see results from your efforts. Instead of being frustrated or feeling like you aren’t getting anything from it, use the time to reward yourself for your efforts. Exercise is a great stress reliever, so reward yourself with a massage, manicure, or a new outfit after a few weeks of regular workouts. Find something that makes you happy and use it as a reward for sticking to your routine.

Get an exercise buddy

You can motivate each other to stay on track, as well as hold each other accountable. If one of you misses a workout, the other person can let you know that you’re slacking. Working out with a friend can be a great way to fit exercise into your schedule. Your child’s school may offer parent-child activities that provide the opportunity to meet other parents. If your child’s school doesn’t offer parent-child activities, reach out to other parents you know and see if they’d like to join you for a workout. You can also try local platforms like KeepActive to find people in your area for walking, tennis, groups fitness classes etc..

Go to bed or wake up early

If you have a flexible morning routine, you can easily fit in a quick workout before you start your day. If your mornings are less flexible, you can still fit in a short workout before bed. Working out for 15 minutes before you go to bed can help you to relax and fall asleep more quickly. You might even notice that you sleep better and feel less tired the next day. Working out before bed is a great way to burn calories and reduce stress so you can fall asleep quickly and wake up refreshed. If you finding it hard to find a time, make sure to talk to your partner, a family member or a friend to see if they can help with some routines.

Use your commute wisely

Another option, is to try changing your commute to fit in a few extra steps. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away, getting off at an earlier stop, or cycling to work are all ways to squeeze in exercise during the day. If riding a bike to work seems too hard, remember you don’t have to cycle all the way – you can use an e-bike, or take a foldable bike on the train. E-bikes can be expensive. It is best to hire an e-bike and get comfortable before you invest too much money.

Take advantage of technology

Find an app that helps you stay motivated. There are lots of apps that help you track your progress and keep you motivated, so choose one that works for you. You can also use technology to make it easier for you to find places to work out near your home or work. There are lots of apps that can help you find nearby places to walk, run, or do other types of exercise. If you have young children, you can also use technology to find places where they can play while you work out nearby.

Having fun with kids

Playing catch, riding a bike, playing soccer, throwing some hoops, jumping on the trampoline, playing backyard cricket, or playing tag with your children can be a fun and memorable experience. This will not only benefit you and your children by promoting fitness, but it will also educate your children about the importance of staying active.

Bottom line

Exercising as a parent isn’t easy, but it is possible. You can find time for exercise by making it a priority, setting up a routine, and rewarding yourself when you meet your goals. You can also take advantage of technology to make it easier to stay accountable, and use your commute wisely.