Working out is such a great way to show up for yourself, but it requires time and energy. Which when you’re a parent and/or working, it can be hard to find both of those. As a teacher-mom who has prioritized working out this year, I want to share my top 5 tips that have helped me be more consistent in being able to find time to workout.
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Why You Should Find Time to Workout
There are so many benefits to working out – better sleep, better health, increased energy. There’s more information about the benefits of working out from the Mayo Clinic. But for myself personally, as a teacher-parent, it is a great way to practice self-care and prevent burn out. It’s hard as a parent and teacher to find time for myself, but making sure I find time to workout is one of the best ways that I can put myself first – which doesn’t happen very often.
1. Choose your gym wisely.
When it comes to the process, I think the first choice that can determine your success in being able to find time to workout is the gym or location that you are working out at. For me, I knew that I wanted to find somewhere relatively close and that has childcare available (ideally included in the membership) so that I could drop my kiddos off when schedules got hectic or both myself and my husband wanted to workout. That’s why we made the choice to choose the YMCA for our gym – plus it also has tons of activities and classes for our kids as well.
2. Create a schedule that works for you.
In the phase of parenting I’m in (a preschooler and a toddler) plus the reality of teaching, I have to have some flexibility in my schedule. Would I prefer to go 5 times a week and rock it? Of course. And during the summer, I was able to do that. However, with the school year, I adjusted my workout schedule to going to the gym 3 times a week is the goal – and that works for me. I was also mindful of when we typically have staff meetings (Mondays) and what days I struggle with motivation (Wednesdays). So when it comes to being able to find time to workout, I knew what days were just simply not going to work.
My workout schedule is simply: back on Tuesdays, chest and arms on Friday, legs on Sunday. If I can get in extra days at the gym, awesome! But if not, I try to do a yoga or pilates workout at home or just go for a walk with the kids too!
3. Have all your stuff ready the day before.
For the days that I go to the gym after work, I make sure to pack a bag the night before and have it in my car. Mainly workout clothes, shoes, and a hair tie. But even after school, when I get in the car, I see the bag there and remember – oh yeah, I’m going to do that! It’s a reminder AND makes skipping out that much harder too.
I really appreciate having a go-to gym bag that has a compartment for everything that I’ll want or need for the day of!
4. Make it special for you.
Going to the gym is the time that I get to listen to my own music without little ears. Or little kids demanding I change the music. That is what makes my workout time so special to me and gives me more motivation. When I have more motivation to go, then I’m more likely to find time to workout.
Make it special for you – I get to listen to my music, but maybe you get some alone time. Or get to get your anger or frustration out. Whatever motivates you will motivate you to find time to workout.
5. Hold it as a priority.
This is a fairly common tip, but making the gym an appointment for yourself is a great mentality to have. When you convince yourself that it’s something you can’t skip out on, you’re more likely to hold that time for working out.
I get it – finding time to workout is hard. But hopefully some of these tips to find time to workout will help you get there and start reaching your health goals overall. This applies to any and all forms of self-care. You have to find the time within your schedule to make it work for you!
What other tips do you have to help find time to workout? Share in the comments below!
