Finding Time for Fitness...
Impossible? Or Possible?
You’re a busy, tired mama (or soon-to-be-mama) and finding time to workout and move your body or attend any fitness program, feels like a dream that’s a bit out of reach (or a chore you can’t make time for).
Sound familiar?
But, moving your body and focusing on fitness doesn’t have to be something you long for in the future. Don’t wait for ‘when the kids are older’ or when you go back to work and can work out during your lunch hour, to find time for fitness.
To give you some help, we’re sharing some of our favourite ways to prioritize your exercise routine right now and feel great about it. Remember that not everything has to be a 60 minute workout! Shorter amounts of time can add up, especially when you’re just getting back into it.
Tips to Find Time for Fitness
(as a busy mama or pregnant person)
Schedule it
Yes, it sounds easier said than done, but actually scheduling fitness into your calendar like any other appointment can help keep you on track. Do this for the next 5-10 weeks. The key is to start small and increase frequency as you get more comfortable. Begin with scheduling a quick 15 minutes to dance, or plan to go on a walk. You’ll find the more you do it, the more you’ll make the time for it. We preach consistency all the time, as this is the number one way to achieve success in establishing a habit.
Join a Program
We know that paying for a program or class will help keep us on track because it’s an investment in ourselves and because we paid our hard earned money for it. But beyond that, joining a fitness program or class (like one of our Fitmama Strong Online, On-Demand or In-person programs) not only saves the time slot in your calendar, but you’re also assured that your class is guided by a professional instructor. If you’re in one of our Live, Online classes, you’ll have an expert in prenatal and/or postpartum fitness/yoga demonstrating each exercise, suggesting modifications and coaching for correct form during each class, meaning you just have to show up and sweat!
Find a Fitness Friend
Having an accountability partner may be just what you need. You’ll not only encourage each other to show up to a fitness class or to get out to enjoy movement together, but you’ll likely also be reminded that making time to be with friends is something to make a priority too. It’s easier to find the time and motivation to workout when someone else is texting you to go with them!
Communicate with loved ones
If you want to make movement and fitness a priority, and need to find the time for it, it can be helpful to communicate your goals and wishes with your partner and loved ones so you can get the support you need. Whether you need help with childcare or emotional support to actually workout, communicating that you want and need to fit this into your calendar and then taking the next step to do so can help keep you committed, and those around you cheering you on. Taking time for yourself to move your body always helps elevate your mood, making it easier to manage all of the daily tasks we feel we need to accomplish. Your family will thank you!
One last note: You may find yourself de-prioritizing or opting out of exercising after the birth of your baby, but we want you to know that there are gentle ways to move your body in the fourth trimester (download our free guide here). By following our postpartum fitness protocol (read more about that here) you’ll know what to look for when you are ready for more advanced workouts.
And, if you’re expecting, it’s a myth that you can’t workout in the first trimester. Women with uncomplicated pregnancies are encouraged to engage in both cardio and strength resistance training before, during and after their pregnancy. In fact, the Canadian Guidelines recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise. Let us help you with this!
As always, if you have questions about our programs and which ones may be right for you, please reach out to us!
Interested in joining us? Our classes are a great way to meet other new parents. Fitmama Strong Online has been operating classes online from our virtual studio since 2020. Our community is a thriving and welcoming space for you and your littles.
Grab our Prenatal Fitness & Yoga Guide for lots of info about pregnancy and exercise, including a prenatal fitness workout, prenatal yoga session and an evening wind-down stretch. We also offer our prenatal population on-demand workouts, that include fitness and yoga, specifically for the prenatal population.
If you’re new to Fitmama Strong Online, try one of our 3 Class Passes! You can use them at our postnatal Express Strong, Express Elevate and Express Flow classes. It doesn’t matter if your baby was born 6 weeks ago or 6 years ago, we have something for all postnatal members! Already been to Fitmama Strong classes? Grab a monthly membership and keep moving along with us:)
Finally, we offer in-person Stroller Fitness and Babywearing Fitness through our Durham Region and Ottawa locations. We can’t wait to have you join us!
We can’t wait for you to #startwithus and #growwithus. Find your Fitmama Strong Location!