Easy Tips for Moms to Sneak Fitness into Their Days

Most moms agree — there are just not enough hours in the day. In addition to our full-time 9 to 5, our days are filled with laundry, cleaning, cooking, homework, sports practice, and PTA meetings. We don’t have time to buy exercise clothes let alone get to the gym! Luckily, we don’t need a gym to work out and, even though they are cute, we don’t need the latest yoga pants to sneak fitness into our days.

• Get on the ball. How much time do you spend sitting? If you work in an office, it’s at least eight hours a day. Instead of sitting on a chair, get a stability ball! This will help improve your posture, decrease lower back pain, and even burn calories. Start off sitting for 30 minutes daily and gradually increase your ball time. For more stability, you can try the Gaiam's Balance Ball Chair, which includes a ball and a base.
• Multitask. You already do this so why not throw fitness into the mix. Try doing squats, lunges, and calf raises while you brush your teeth. Giving the little ones a bath? Grab your InterActive Exercise Activator for a quick upper body workout. Over the course of the day, these little fitness boosts add up to a full-body workout.
• Don’t just stand there. Test your balance while waiting to check out at the grocery store or while waiting for your daughter’s basketball game to start. Start by shifting your weight onto one leg. Pull your belly in and keep your back straight. Tighten your leg muscles and slowly rise onto the ball of your foot. Hold for a moment and repeat on opposite leg.
• Maximize the time you have. Interval workouts consist of alternating high-intensity effort with lower-intensity effort. For example, a 20-minute cardio workout that consists of 2 minutes sprinting on the treadmill followed by 1 minute of complete rest. Researchers have found that interval workouts result in three times as much fat burn as running twice as long at a moderately hard, steady pace. What's more, recovery from interval training forces the body to continue burning fat for energy. This all leads to an increase in post-workout calorie burning. It’s a winning proposition for a busy mom – spend less time and see better results!
• Be the early bird. Once the kids wake up, your day is not your own. Get up early to have the house to yourself and workout in peace. Consider an at-home fitness product, such as InterActive Exercise, which allows you to get a full-body workout without leaving the house.
• Act like a kid. Kids never stop moving. From running to jumping, keeping up with them can be fun and good for you. When your kids are playing, join in. Jump rope, bike, and play hopscotch or tag. Not only will you get an effective workout, you’ll make wonderful memories too.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new fitness program.