7 Ways to Fit in Movement as a Busy Mom.

Staying active as a busy mother is not always easy. Oftentimes, any chance we have to work out are also our best (and only) opportunities to get some rest (or anything done around the house!). Having to choose between being active and resting can seem daunting.

To help you out, I want to share 7 Easy Ways to Fit in Movement:

1) Play with your kids. This may sound simple, because it IS in fact, simple. But, it may not always come easy. We are TIRED. And if our children are occupied doing something else, we just want to rest (at least I do!). But next time you're at the playground, I encourage you to get up and follow them around. Yes, they move a ton - my daughter literally never stops.

2) Create active games you can do as a family. Examples: tag, hide-and-seek outside, dance parties, scavenger hunts.

3) Go on runs, a quick walk, or a bike ride with your kids. We attempt to do this every night after dinner - it doesn't always happen, but we make an effort to. It's a wonderful way to wind down after the day, spend some time together as a family, and get a little movement in. Plus, it helps our daughter get a little more energy out before she goes to bed!

4) Take advantage of nap time. There never seems to be enough hours in the day, so why not double up? I know, I know, it feels close to impossible, but even if you can squeeze 10-15 minutes getting a short work out in while the little ones nap, I promise you'll feel more energized to conquer the rest of the day. Here are some great quick exercises you can do: jump rope, donkey kicks, stairs (use your own stairs at home!), tricep dips, push ups, sit-ups.

5) Turn normal chores into work outs. Do a few squats while you're doing laundry, dance around the kitchen while you're preparing dinner (my personal favorite), lunges while vacuuming, throw in some squats while you're folding laundry. Try to have fun with it.

6) Find something you LOVE. This is an important one. Find an activity you actually enjoy doing - this will make it less daunting to do it! Personally I love riding my bike, walking and doing yoga, so I try to fit those into my routine almost every day, and most of the time, my daughter is included.

7) Incorporate yoga into your life. Like I said above, I LOVE yoga, so this comes natural (and easy to me). But not all women love it as much as I do, so it can be challenging. But remember, staying flexible is just as important as staying strong. There are tons of yoga classes out there, and if you want to do yoga at home, you can find plenty of good videos online. And if you need any extra help, I know a good yoga teacher. ;)

I know it's not easy mama, but keeping an active lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to keep up with your growing children. When I turned 40 last year, I started feeling tired more and more, making it hard to keep up with my (then) 4-year old. I realized that I wasn't exercising or moving enough. Yes, I still get tired, but I find that on days when I move more, I feel more energized and able to keep up with my (now) 5-year old.

Also, staying active teaches your children that being healthy is a priority to you, and hopefully they will carry that along with them as they get older. And FINALLY, exercising boosts your mood and decreases stress levels. It’s so easy for moms to feel anxious and stressed. By incorporating movement into your routine, you can help reduce these feelings allowing you to be the absolute happiest and best version of yourself!

For more simple ways to incorporate movement into your daily life, check out my Budding to Blooming Program for moms. You will leave the program with less stress and anxiety, filling those spaces instead with calmness and clarity. And you will learn simple exercises you can do at home that will help you start loving your body again. Learn more by clicking the button below.